FlytrapCare Carnivorous Plant Forums

I finally decided to get my import permits so I can go all international with my obsession and thought i'd share what I had to do and exactly what permits you need. First you need to go here and make an account-

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/home/

After getting your account opened(waiting 10 and 20 minutes and confirming through email) you need to apply for level 2 access to the site. After applying for level 2 you will have to fax or visit the closest usda service center(you can google for a list) to show them your ID and they will verify your level 2 access.

Next you will need to login to your usda account and apply for forms PPQ587(free) and PPQ621($70). I'll apply for both next week and tell you about the forms and process after filing the forms, etc.

If you need help call the APHIS main office in Maryland. They are very nice and very helpful and very thorough in their explanations.

Update soon!

Filed for my PPQ587. Youll have to fill out 3 sections-

Applicant
Articles
Inspection station

Make sure you click add article on the article section and put "eligible taxa" for both species youre importing and country of origin so you can import everything. For inspection station I picked all ports with inspection agent. Now I just have to wait.

Thanks for spelling out the process Dionae! I did this years ago and had forgotten about most of it But I still regularly use the site for getting Phyto. Certs. for international orders. And recently I just got notification that I'll need to renew my "level 2 access" but I think I can do this without having to go to an office in person. I'm still waiting to hear back on that.

I'm not sure if theyll need ID for a renewal. If I had any questions id call the MD office. They helped me a lot and, unlike most customer services, seemed happy to be helping.

Just applied for the PPQ621. Going to mail my payment so this one could take a lil while.

You had to fill out a few more sections but theyre really self explanatory.

Btw, if you're ordering 12 plants or less and theyre not on CITES all you need is a phytosanitary cert and no permits.

Just to clarify a few things about importing the plants after you get your permit/s. You should contact the place youre ordering before placing an order to tell them you have permits and need a phytosanitary cert. After placing your order you have to ship the seller your permit (which is just a sticker to be placed on the package they ship iinm) before they ship your plants. The seller should ship the package to your nearest inspection station with a label with your address in with the plants so APHIS can forward them to you.

Now this is only if you order 13 plants or more. 12 or less require a phytosanitary cert only, if they're not on CITES.

I'm so anxious.

Dionae wrote:Now this is only if you order 13 plants or more. 12 or less require a phytosanitary cert only if they're not on CITES.

I think you mean "import permit" in this sentence, right? I think a phytosanitary certificate is required for any plant material crossing international borders.

No, Matt I said it right. You don't need an import permit for 12 plants or less that are not on CITES, just phyto certs.

Reread that and I can actually see how I messed that up lol. Added a comma so it would be more transparent.

Ah, I got it!

Make sure you check your aphis account often. I had to answer a question before the 587 could be issued and didnt notice for 5 days so still waiting.

As for the 621 the site reads the permit was issued on the 14th so I'm hoping I get paperwork in the next few days. Update then.

Dionae wrote:Make sure you check your aphis account often. I had to answer a question before the 587 could be issued and didnt notice for 5 days so still waiting.

Weird. I have direct contact with the officer in my area who is very responsive any time I file for paperwork. I usually hear from him within 24 hours after submitting any new applications, either to set up a time to meet or to get any questions answered he or I may have.

What happened was "all eligible taxa" didnt work in the species column and they wanted me to be more specific with what species I was interested in importing.

Ah, OK, that makes sense.