My husband applied on line for a permit to import small lots of seeds. Then he had to go to a USDA office to show his license, to verify that he was who he said he was. Now the rest is done on line and he has a permit to import seeds which is good until 2012. It was all FREE! There are scads of USDA offices around, and any one of them can do the drivers license verification. (He went to one that is in charge of soil errosion.) All USDA permit business can be done on line once you've been verified. Too cool, and so easy! We could also apply on line for a permit to import cuttings too.
Seed importing - free and legal permits
how did you get the info for the permits?
Instructions are on this site:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/Q37/smalllotsseed.html
Mary
Gee Mary, I got one too about 2 years ago but it was all done thru the mail. I didn't have to go anywhere and show my license. No ID at all. It was so easy and free! My problem is I want to import whole plants from Thailand!
you can not apply for a Import Permit for Brugmansia's online, as Brugmansia Cuttings/Plants are subject to Quarantine for two years before they are released and become legal to trade or sell. The US DEPT OF AGRICULTURE, Plant Protection and Quarantine requires one to get a Post Entry Certification PPQ Form 546 to be issued by the appropiate State/County Dpt of Agriculture Inspector , there will be a charge of US$ 50.00 plus 44.5cents a mile for the Inspector to come to ones site to view and approve, after inspecting and approving your site via a POST ENTRY SITE INSPECTION the Enviromental Specialist State Inspector has to forward the Original application of PPQ Form 546 to U.S.Dept of Agriculture, APHIS Plant Protection and Quarantine , only then will you receive the Import Permit and Labels necessary to import Brugmansia it will take about 2-3 weeks!
I have learned this after sending in PPQ Form 587 to Washington, I received the call with instruction what to do,
as I was told by Washington, PPQ Form 587 is N/A to any Imports pertaining to Brugmansia's, they have to be two years quarantined under strict Inspection by the State Agricultural Inspector every so often before release, I do have my Import Permit and Labels since Dec 2006 which are good for 5 years so I wanted to share this information with all of you interested importing Brugmanisa's the legal way.
If you go on the USDA gov website you probably can look up PPQ form 546 the Agreement for POSTENTRY QUARANTINE, it will advise anyone of all the rules the Brugmansia imports are subject to, I think this is a little extra work, but very necessary to keep viruses out of getting into the country not to infect the Brugmansias we have here!
Considering the time involved, it occurs to me that shipping Brugmansia from overseas is pretty risky, not because of the legal complexities - rather because of the time getting them from point A to B and through the inspection process...
Over the past two years, I've seen tremendous improvements in Brugmansia being produced domestically. I realize much of the new plant material is the result of past importation (legal or otherwise) of foreign bred plants, but I am also impressed with the quality of seed we're making lately and the outcome of them.
I truly believe seed is the way to go. Importation of Brugmansia, quarantine and growing out to flower takes about as long as seed develops into flowering plants. Unless something extraordinary (like the elusive blue Brug) comes along, I as a hybridizer am content with the current gene pool and, when necessary, infusions into it via seed. A well bred seed is really two peas in the pod. I like those odds. Personally, a handful of seeds excites me more than a new plant. I see the past in plants, but sense the future in seed.
The relaxation of import restrictions on seed is most welcome. :-)
How and where do you find the port of entry?
You get to choose the port of entry when you fill out the application on line. I chose San Diego since it's so close. They list them all.
Cuttings was one of the choices on the application. I guess they tell you the gory details if you pick that option; which I didn't pick.
I don't think 2 years quarantine is too much trouble if it's a plant you really want. No quarantine needed for the product of seeds you import.
Wow! What a fun, and highly informative, thread to read. Thank you all.
Erick
GORDO, to counter your statement 'SHIPPING FROM OIVERSEAS IS PRETTY RISKY' because of time getting it from point A to B, not at all, when everything is done by both Export & Import Countries Laws with Permits intact, my Shipment was sent on a Tuesday from Germany was in the US by Thursday was inspected by Agriculture immediately after FEDEX dropped it off and I received the call 1/2 hour after Inspection that all is okay and my Plantmaterial was released to me, total in transit was only 4 days.
MARY, I have to agree with you,' if they are plants you really want the two years Quarantine is not to much trouble ' better save then sorry and not to bring in viruses and diseases that can jeapordize the beloved Brugmansias we have in the US.
"there will be a charge of US$ 50.00 plus 44.5cents a mile for the Inspector"
Is this per plant or per shippment?
Thanks
Caren
I am happy they are strict about importing.
May I illustrate with an example?
One of my passions used to be fuchsias. My mother in Belgium was addicted to them. She had a plant multi grafted, it was stunning.
I moved to CA, and to honour her craftmanship, I planted many fuchsias too.
I noticed they all got infected with something that kills them, and it spreads like fire!
It is the fuchsia gall mite, came from Latin America in the 80ies... There is a chemical spray that can be applied, but it isn't that helpful, and I am an organic gardener...
To make things worse; it is spread by hummingbirds, butterflies and bees. In other words, all the sweet creatures I am welcoming to my garden.
I couldn't lose another passion on an imported dissease!
More difficult for collectors, but wouldn't you rather keep the species alive?
CAREN,
The charge for the for the Inspector of $50.00 pluss .445 cents per mile is a one time charge for the Postentrycertification, which enables you to receive the Import Permit and Stickers for each Shipment, good for import for 5 years, the charge is not per plant or shipment.
Mrs COLLA,
I am so happy, that there are persons like you that realize the importance of strict Import laws to prevent Viruses and diseases from spreading to the Brugmansia's in the US. You are matching my sentiment exactly.
your photo of your Garden is very beautyfull.
Burgele
Thank you
You want to talk about FAST!! I applied on line last night and was approved (for seeds only) this morning at 9am.
Now you just have to wait for those green and yellow labels to come in the mail. Are you ready to start stalking the postman? LOL A watched mailman never delivers. I know this because I've been waiting for a package these past couple weeks.
My question is who cares for the plants while they are in quarintine for the two years. Are you allowed to keep them at home in a quarentined area etc etc etc . I hope this is not a stupid question. A question is only stupid if you know the answer Thanks
You care for them , you must keep them away from your other brugs by I beleive 9 or 10 feet.....they will come at any time to check on them. you must make sure they are all labled and accounted for....
O.K. now that we know how to get the permit, does anyone know of any European hybernizers that are selling seeds?