International Orders
Home Up Winter/Express Ship What Should I Order? What We Ship When You Get Order How We Ship Cost of Order Weddings, Parties, etc. International Orders

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We ship plants anywhere, anytime,  and can likely send you plants no matter where in the world you happen to live.  We've been shipping internationally for over 15 years with great success, and with few problems.  Before you place your order, however, it is important that you carefully read the following.  International orders MUST be placed through our web-site, by fax, or by mail! Because precise shipping and ordering information is most critical with international orders, this lessens the possibility of mistakes.  We will not accept international orders via phone!


Providing the proper documents.

Note:  TheCost of phyto inspection has increased!  The fees for this service to us has greatly increased--you are paying only what it costs us.  We do not make a profit on this service (only the government does).

We provide the phytosanitary documents required for all international orders.  This certificate is written by an plant inspector from the United States Department of Agriculture.  The inspector charges an hourly fee for each visit, which we share among our customers.  For  the inspection cost is $30 per order. Our inspector's next visit will be on May 26.

You provide us with import permits, if necessary.  Some countries require an import permit to accompany the plants being shipped.  Check with your local authorities to see if you need an import permit.  You may mail it to us, or fax import permits to us at (585) 374-6947.  If your country requires import papers, and you do not send them to us (with English translation), the plant inspector will not write the necessary certificate!


If you live in:  Keep in mind that regulations are always changing.  Always contact your local authorities--this is your responsibility, not ours!  What is posted below reflects only our most recent experience and may no longer be true at the time we ship your order!  We will always truthfully state the contents of the package on customs forms--do not ask us to make false statements.

  • Australia.  Import papers are required, and only crowns (no roots, no soil) can be sent.  These will be held in quarantine once arriving in your country. 
  • Brazil.  Import papers are required for shipment of plants.
  • Carribean Countries.  Including Bermuda and The Bahamas.  An import permit is necessary.  We may be able to send rooted plants (check with your local authorities!).
  • Canada.  You won't need an import permit. Keep in mind, however, that you do live in another country!  This means that a phyto is still needed and that international shipping rates apply to you.  Delays due to Canadian carriers and customs are more common than for most all other countries....these delays rarely damage plants "in season", but may harm plants sent in winter.  You may want to visit our shop....we're as little as 2 hours from the border (and can have a phyto ready for you--just let us know in advance).
  • European Union countries.  An import permit is not required, and rooted plants can be shipped.
  • Ethiopia.  No import permit is required.  Rooted plants can be shipped.
  • Honduras.  Import permit suggested, but not required.  Rooted plants can be shipped.
  • India.  An import permit is required.
  • Israel.  An import permit is recommended, but is not required.  Rooted plants can be shipped.
  • Japan.  You won't need an import permit, and rooted plants can be shipped.  
  • Hong Kong.  An import permit is required.  All plants must be sent with no roots or soil (as crowns only).  
  • Russia and former members of Soviet Republic.  An import permit is required.  All plants must be sent with no roots or soil (as crowns only).
  • Singapore.  No import permit necessary, though recommended.  Rooted plants can be shipped.
  • Phillipines.  An import permit is suggested.  Phyto papers can be written to allow plants sent in our soilless medium only when an import permit is available.  Phyto papers written without permits will not have these words, increasing the risk to you.
  • South Africa.  An import permit is required, and rooted plants may be sent.
  • Taiwan.  You will be instructed to visit your country's agriculture web-site regarding latest restrictions, then to e-mail a copy of these (in English).  Our plant inspector will use these in writing the phyto.  You will also need to have this when receiving your plants at customs.
  • China.  An import permit may not be required, though recommended.  All plants must be sent with no roots or soil (as crowns only).
  • Thailand.  An import permit is recommended, but is not required, and rooted plants can be shipped.

All other countries.  We ship to many more places than those listed above.  Please contact your local authorities to see if import permits are needed and how plants must be shipped.

Remember that because we cannot be responsible for the delivery and customs of other countries, all orders must be sent at customer's risk. 


How plants are shipped to you.

To most countries we are usually able to ship plants as we would to our domestic customers, meaning in pots, with soil (we use a "sterile, soil-less" medium). 

If an import permit is required, then plants are shipped as the import permit requires them to be shipped.  Sometimes this means that they are allowed to be shipped in pots and "soil".  Many times, this means that only the "crowns" of the plant can be shipped.  The plant crown is the top of the plant with the soil and root system removed.  It is sent in a plastic bag.  You will need to re-root these crowns when you receive them.

Special chemical treatments of plants.  We do not routinely treat any of our plants with insecticides or fungicides.  This is too costly and needlessly exposes us and our employees to toxic chemicals.  If import permit requires such special chemical treatment of plants, our plant inspector might not write the phyto certificate.


Shipping method and when you will receive order.

All  International and Canadian customers.  Add $40 for the first 1 to 20 plants and $2.00 per plant after 20 plants.  All international orders are shipped by International Express Mail and will usually arrive in your country about 3 working days after we ship them.  We will provide the post-office tracking number to you (by e-mail only) when order is shipped. 

Note!  All international and Canadian orders are shipped at customer's risk!  All plants are packed very carefully and sent in an insulated box.  But, we cannot be responsible for the actions of custom's officials or your local postal service.

Invoices and shipping lists WILL be packed with international orders!  If you do NOT want an invoice included in the package, you must let us know!  You may or may not be subject to duties or import taxes on your purchases--we will not include invoices with false information.


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