Is there a special way that I need to go about sending plants to Finland. I posted this in the parkinglot but imput from anyone would be helpful. Are there specific rules and How should I pack them?
TKS
Jan
Sending Plants Out Of The Country?
I just sent some cactus pads to Mitjo in Finland. I just wrapped them in newspaper and tucked them into a box. I had them in one of those post office boxex and the postman said that those kind of boxes weren't allowed out of the country. Who knew! So I wrapped the box in brown paper and sent it that way. Also I needed to fill out a customs form stating exactly what was in the box. No problem there. I had heard some talk of having trouble sending plants out of the country, but these seemed to be OK. The postman never said a word about the contents.
Great. But they can't go in the regular PO boxes? Well I'll just wrap it in brown paper and hope it makes it there.
Thanks for the information.
Jan
I think its easier to send out of the USA than to get the plant IN TO the US
Jan I didn't know about the box thing either. If you look at the box though, it does indeed say "Domestic Use Only" or something like that on it. Unfortunately I sent my hubby to mail something and they informed him. LOL He had to bring it back home. I just turned the box inside out and remailed it.
I tried sending Geraniums to Psilo and Mark in the UK,,and came close to getting them arrested!!!! The plants were destroyed by the postal service in the UK. A gardening friend in Canada sends me gillions of seeds, but says sending plants will get him a trip to the stationhouse. I think this is a scarey thing to do,,,simply because of my bad experience. I'm sure it's done all over the world every day, successfully. Remember too, that this is how non-native plants get established in other areas and are often aggressive in their new environment. Just a reminder...I'd probably try it again if I thought Mark and Psilo could get some of their beautiful Geraniums my way!!!
I once sent to Canada and was told to put on the box"House Plant Cuttings"
they got there fine........
Now I think even "House Plant Cuttings" could cause
trouble. Best if they are without dirt, no bug or egg
is sight and the box isn't even marked that it contains
anything even resembling a plant. If we are caught...
we being the recipient...we could get a fine. Depends
on how curious the inspector is and how close he follows
the letter of the law. It really stinks how difficult,
and costly, it is to bring plants into this country legally.
I sent a water lily to Irlend and it was received fine. I got a cardinal plant for my pond from the same person with no problems.
Jan,
here is some info on that from the www.usps.com hope it helps you
Prohibitions for Finland
Radioactive materials.
Live plants and animals.
Arms and weapons.
Human remains.
wow look what they list with plants!!!!!
http://ircalc.usps.gov/speed.asp?Country=Finland&Pounds=1&Ounces=0&cmdSubmit=Continue&Contents=1
While I don't know the specifics, I know that Australia has become very picky about daylilies to the point where they are even frowning on seeds being imported.
Still, with all the precautions, daylily rust managed to find it's way into The Land Down Under.
It is illegal to send all species of cactus across international borders without the correct paperwork. All are protected by CITES regulations. This is to protect endangered or rare species, and since most inspectors are not botanists, and it can be hard to tell some species apart, all cacti are included (except for about half a dozen hybrids). Assuming all other conditions are met (whatever they may be), it is o.k. to ship opuntia pads.
Most cacti fall under CITES Appendix II, which states,
Appendix-II specimens
1. An export permit or re-export certificate issued by the Management Authority of the State of export or re-export is required.
An export permit may be issued only if the specimen was legally obtained and if the export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species.
A re-export certificate may be issued only if the specimen was imported in accordance with the Convention.
The list of species covered by CITES is in the following web site
http://www.cites.org/eng/append/latest_appendices.shtml Plants are at the bottom.
I have succesfully received plants from the USA, UK, Italy, Ireland, Switzerland, and seeds from all over the world.
So you shouldn't worry.. only that will the plants make it trough the 5-12 days of travelling.
I have mailed plants and seeds to a couple of countries with no problems except Canada. I just wrap the box in brown paper, address it, write "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" on all sides, and send it on it's way. I lost 25 dollars in postage trying to mail a box to Canada.