harveyc

Thanks, Chong. I forgot about that request and found the link two days ago. However, figuring out the regulations is a different matter! I belong to another group and a friend from another country that sends plants to the U.S. said that he has had a very tough time figuring them out as well and his own ag department asked him to provide them the clear list of plants once he had finally obtained it. It would seem that if they wanted to encourage compliance they would make the rules more clear.

Thanks!

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chong

Harvey,
I have a completely opposite opinion of the regulations. I find them to be pretty straightforward. I hold a current permit that expires either next year or in 2009. I originally applied for it to import some Araucaria Araucana (Monkey Puzzle Tree) seeds from Argentina and Araucaria Bidwilii(False Monkey Puzzle Tree) seeds from Australia. Before they replied, I added a list of plants I wanted to import from Thailand and the Philippines. When I got their response, I was given a Permit Number and a host of regulations and list of prohibited and restricted plants. The bottom line is that you cannot import anything in the prohibited list and import from the restricted list with some stipulations, e.g., post entry quarantine requirements, sterilization, etc., plus there are required documentations for all plants being imported. I realize that the requirements are lengthy, but this is just a synopsis.

In prior permits, the names of the plants that I listed in the application were the only ones I could import and they were relisted on the permit documents. To add other plants to the permit though, will only require that the list be appended before the other plants are actually imported. Now, the only thing that would be listed on the permit are any plant on my list that may need to be qualified, are on the endangered/protected/restricted species list, or if any of them will be subject to post entry quarantine, and/or they have any current concerns.

Since there are no fees required, I just went ahead and applied for the permit. And when the permit got here, like I said, I found them to be straightforward.

Hope this helps.

Chong

harveyc

Chong, the difference seems that they gave you the regulations. I tried to find what regulations pertained to bananas and found numerous regulations but could not find ones that pertained to me. For instance, I wanted to know what restrictions might pertain to importation of Musa from Thailand and I could not find it. I guess I'll just apply for the permit and let them tell me.

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chong

I'll try to find the folder that has the permit. I'll cite the pages that apply to bananas.

As I understand it, there are only several things you need to be concerned with:
1) What countries are banned;
2) What plant or plant materials are banned;
3) If a plant is restricted, what are the procedures, justification, and documentation are needed to bring them in;
4) All other plants are presumed allowed, with proper phytosanitary inspections and documentation; and
5) Getting the plants in, and through Customs and USDA inspection at the port of entry.

I went through a dry run of the entry process at theSeaTac airport in 2002. Except for the part where the plants have to go from the USDA inspection office to the Customs offices, the process was very simple. The materials have to be transported by a bonded entity. At that time, they were in separate buildings due to the ongoing construction then. In 2003 and 2004, I transported plants from the Philippines as luggage. You actually get ahead of the line at the Customs area since you will have to declare your plants before you land and at the Immigration booth. The USDA people will already be alerted of your shipment, thus they will call you to their line. If you have a permit, it just goes smoother. If not, even if you have the phytosanitary documentation, it will take longer because they need to verify the validity of your plants for entry and more closely inspect them.

Chong