Importing live plants from Indonesia can be done easily. It is important to make sure you are up to date on all the regulations of the country you are importing from, as well as the cost of the plants. Additionally, it is important to make sure the plants are properly cared for and packaged to ensure they arrive in good condition.
Commonly, different countries enforce their own regulations on live plants imports. Take an example in the country of United States of America. On live plants import, the USDA regulates the imports of plants and plant products to ensure that they are free of pests and diseases. Importers must also comply with the Plant Protection Act and its regulations. Additionally, the Lacey Act regulates the import of certain plants and plant products of foreign origin. All shipments of live plants to the US must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate from the country of origin, which certifies that the plants are free from harmful pests and diseases.
There are many types of live plants that can be imported from other countries. Some popular examples include orchids, bonsai trees, cactus, succulents, ferns, and exotic tropical plants. Depending on the country, regulations may vary on the types of plants that can be imported, so it is important to research the laws of the country you are importing from. Additionally, the cost of importing live plants can vary depending on the country and the type of plant being imported.
Prohibited Live Plants to Import
There are live plants that I am not allowed to export to one country but 100% okay to other countries. It is strongly suggested for you to do some research on this matter. We don’t want your package to bump into problems when it is already out of our reach.
Far as I am informed, many if not most types of Orchids are not allowed to be exported to Europe from Indonesia. Banana Musae Variegated/ any Variegated Banana types are not allowed to be exported to the United States of America from Indonesia too. Exporting live plants to Japan must not include roots and limited only to small number of plants allowed to be exported to Japan.
Import Live Plants from Trusted Growers
Trusted growers/ sellers are without a doubt a registered company with updated activities on their business. Do your research on that plant shop.
Here are some guides to import live plants from Indonesia:
Research & Research
Do your own research whether you are qualified to import live plants from Indonesia. The research may include and not limited to how many paperwork you have to process prior to importing.
Keep Track
Once you place your orders at a particular store, keep track of your order. Ask for tracking number, updates on the paperwork processing by the store, & proof of shipment (package, paperwork, etc.)
While keeping track of your order, you must be really patient. Paperwork is a pain in the butt. The fact that we can’t make one ourselves, instead we have to entrust the job to the Ministry of Agriculture, we just have to wait until the paperwork is published by them. The processing time is about 1-2 weeks or more if the Ministry of Agriculture’s website/ program cannot be accessed and/ or there’s problem with the website.
The process cannot be done offline. All processes depend entirely on how long the Ministry of Agriculture publish the paperwork online.
Clearance
Once you are provided with your package tracking number, turn on your notifications for any incoming messages in regards to your plant imports. You will be asked most likely for detail information of yourself and to pay taxes/ local duty. This is done in order to claim your package.
When you did your research at step 1 above, and by this point during the clearance, you wouldn’t so surprise of whatever costs that may occur. The faster you finish your tasks during the clearance, the faster your package will be released for delivery.
Record Unboxing
When unboxing your package, it is strongly suggested to do some records. It can be in the form of pictures and/ or video. A video on unboxing your package is more preferable though. They show better detail of what you want to show. This may also make swift process of refund/ replacement should your plants arrive dead.
Common Sense When Importing Live Plants from Indonesia
True or not, accidently or intentionally, there are so many misconceptions and “miscommunications” going on in the process of importing live plants. Both parties, seller and buyer must have the same concept and understanding while performing a transaction. In this case is the import of live plants from Indonesia. Both parties are responsible to fulfill respective requirements in importing live plants and both parties have the rights to ask/ ensure that every detail are met. This is obviously in order for the smooth process of buy and sell live plants.
Buyers are strongly suggested to not randomly swarm the market for any and every plant they want. Purchase here and there without sufficient knowledge of at least those plants in their wish list. Where there’s actually more than just those plants’ information they should posses but also the other more common ground and the basics in performing live plant imports.
Sellers must notify their buyers and/ or prospective buyers on whatever information available in performing live plants import. Now, this is the tricky part.
Pros, Cons and Commons in Live Plant Imports
Sellers must know all requirements for buyers to perform live plant imports
This is too demanding and almost impossible. Such as myself, to send live plants to the United States of America, I do know that the USDA requires packages to be possessing original phytosanitary certificate, declaration letter, commercial invoice, valid address of destination and import permit (if available).
The trickiest part sending live plants to the US would be whether import permit is required for any quantity or not. Because far as I’ve been doing live plants export for the last 3 years and counting, both procedures works. As long as plants are kept at 12 pcs then some states do not check the availability of buyers’ import permit. But some other states do check the availability of buyers’ import permit. My personal guess is that it depends on who’s on duty when your package arrives at the USDA/ Customs. Depending who is on duty, they have their set of rules.
I would still remind/ recommend buyers to acquire the import permit though. In case their packages are being checked so that buyers and I don’t bump into possible issues. It’s better to prevent before the worse come, no?
In this situation (whether import permit is required for a quantity of less than 12 pcs), I will absolutely give the authority to make the call to buyers. They make the decision since obviously they’re closer to their governments. Please do not expect us exporters to know the regulations enforced in your country.
Plants arrived at a state where they are unrecognizable (dead, stressed, yellowing leaves, tangly, broken stems)
First thing first, don’t freak out or panic. Every seller has their set of terms and conditions. Be sure you have read their refund policy, shipping policy and any policies available in their stores. It’s a hella reading but trust me, it’s so worth it when you bump into issues later on.
Some sellers provide refund as an option in this situation. The refunds vary from 45% to full refunds. Why not all sellers just provide full-refund? The plants purchased arrived with defects. Again, buyers should have the right to ask for further information in such condition. And sellers have the right to refuse your requests if that’s their rule of game. Again, make sure you have read their policies.
Live plants consist everything intact to them. But the core of them all lies with the tuber. A strong argument suggested by most sellers would be this “tuber”. As long as the tuber arrives in good condition, then full-refund is just not a win-win solution for both parties. Why so? Well, obviously the plant can grow back to normal from the tuber. Just imagine yourself asking for full-refund yet you still keep the live tuber. Sellers would lose both their plants and the money.
In such condition mentioned above, a partial refund does make more sense. But! Better prepare your best argument!
Another option most sellers offer would be “Replacement”. It is a replacement of all dead plants. What I mean by “dead plants” is literally the plants being “DEAD” or NOT ALIVE. The plants are unable to grow back to normal in any means.
Again, most sellers would compensate up to full-replacement with few conditions. Proof of dead plants is a must and buyers are willing pay for the shipping cost or place a new order in order for the seller to resend the plants. The plants will be sent either at the same package or separate package.
Seems awkward doesn’t it? You lose your plants yet you’re charged in getting a replacement. Well, again a strong argument is the fact that live plants are categorized as perishable item and the sellers’ inability to control how packages are treated when out of sellers’ hands.
So, what is the definition of “perishable product” that I keep mentioning?
Live Plants are Categorized as Perishable Product
What is Perishable Product? According to the law.cornell.edu, perishable item means an item that is subject to deterioration, spoilage or death, when moved from its original storage conditions or care. Plant lovers should already notice these conditions where their plants get stressed from just being removed from original pot to another one. It’s commonly done when a plant does not fit to its original pot, then it should be shifted into a larger pot.
It is quite frequent when they are taken out of the pot, the leaves would be a bit tangly. Some cases also would cause the roots to rot. Specially if plant lovers add/ mix random growing medium for these plants. There are specific treatment and/ or growing medium that must be taken into account for safer results.
That being said, without proper treatment from the sellers before packed and shipped out, the plants will end up in trash can. And there goes the drama will start afterward LOL!
Packaging Style for Live Plant Exports Vary
Every seller has their specific and unique style of packaging your plants. Some use paper tissue and some others (common) use sphagnum moss. Both of these materials are acceptable to all countries around the globe.
Trickiest is how much humid must each material possess to keep the plants at bay. Not too much nor too little. Packaging style is rarely clearly described by sellers. Mostly would only mention the material used and clearly shown how does the packaging look when shipped out. My case, I do both. I would state the materials used, make brief description on the procedure and show some images on how each material is being used.