importing plants from Canada into the U.S.
- Subject: importing plants from Canada into the U.S.
- From: D* W*
- Date: Sat, 30 Mar 2002 15:27:57 -0800
Dave,
I am a Canadian so no officials take an interest in what I buy from
Thimble Farms. However, I have been importing plants into Canada
from Europe, Japan and various parts of the U.S. for many years, and
have always been willing to comply with regulations. No way do I
want to import something new and nasty. Getting the plants inspected
twice (once in the country of origin and once at home) takes at most
a few hours. (The bare-rooting required for plants from overseas or
eastern North America can take a LONG time, though.) I have always
felt the plants were worth it. I make sure I buy lots of course - I
wouldn't go to all that bother just for one or two. If I go with
friends, we group our plants so we have to pay for only one phyto.
The U.S. had, and may still have, a different regulation - something
about a private individual being allowed to take home to the U.S. a
few plants with less paperwork. You'll have to check on that.
You would have to check with your state agricultural department to
see if they have any particular requirements about importing plants
from British Columbia.
You could check with Thimble Farms to see if they have exported to
Maine, Massachusetts or Maryland. (not sure where MA is)
Some of the plants, like orchids, are subject to CITES regulations.
When Thimble Farms was selling plants at the rock garden winter study
weekend here, the Americans had to tell our agricultural inspectors
where they were taking the plants, and they looked up the
requirements of those states so that each phyto had the correct
information on it. They also prepared the separate CITES document.
Diane Whitehead
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
