Importing orchids to Australia

[squire]

Hello everyone,

So this one goes out to the aussies.

Is it possible to import orchids/flask from overseas?

There are some orchids i see online, but they are in japan/america/uk/sth america.

What do i need to do to import a plant or flask.

*obvious newbie with no idea hoping for some direction*

[Anton]

The rules have just recently changed, so I would contact AQIS and get them to send you the info.

A few rogue growers who weren't fastidious with their sterilization procedures with media production sent flasks in which had moulds and fungi in the media.

AQIS gave them the opportunity to correct their errant ways, but without success, so now they have come down heavy on flask imports.

Make sure you buy from reputable growers who are prepared to provide the relevant certifications to verify sterility, cleanliness and pest / disease treated.

This couldn't come at a worse time with a lot of Aussies heading to the World Orchid Congress in Singapore this year expecting to bring back flasks with them.

[terra_australis]

Yeah, it sucks and will probably cost more than is worth with these new restrictions.

[Ron]

There are a fair few nurserys inporting flasks into Australia at the moment and they can give better deals that overseas ebay.
What are you after

[kaymarie]

Hi Squire

I made the mistake off ordering some flasks from overseas recently. You can bring 6 flasks in your hand luggage when you fly so I thought there would be no problem ordering 6 flasks. Wrong. When they come via post/freight you need all the paperwork relating to AQIS regulations and also paperwork from the country where they are coming from. I found it easy enough to get the import permit but it all costs money, and more money and more money as well as the costs from the other end. If you can get together with others to split the cost otherwise it is much better to order from the Australian orchid nurseries, or if you are having a show where overseas speaker are attending, you can quite often put in orders that they will bring in.

[terra_australis]

Originally Posted by kaymarie

Hi Squire

I made the mistake off ordering some flasks from overseas recently. You can bring 6 flasks in your hand luggage when you fly so I thought there would be no problem ordering 6 flasks. Wrong. When they come via post/freight you need all the paperwork relating to AQIS regulations and also paperwork from the country where they are coming from. I found it easy enough to get the import permit but it all costs money, and more money and more money as well as the costs from the other end. If you can get together with others to split the cost otherwise it is much better to order from the Australian orchid nurseries, or if you are having a show where overseas speaker are attending, you can quite often put in orders that they will bring in.

Yes, changes came through only a few weeks ago. You will also need phytosanitary certificates for any brought through customs in hand luggage from what I understand.

[kaymarie]

Oh, that is a shame and a pain, but I suppose quite understandable.

[Anton]

Well, as of Monday this week, for THE FIRST TIME, you now need phyto certificates to bring orchids into SA.

Couldn't have come at a worse time, a friend of mine from NSW was guest speaker at our club last night, and she was going to bring several Tolumnia with her for her talk, and ended up having to leave them home.

Evidently NSW is being lumped with Qld for Fire Ants and they want to make sure they don't end up here.

A bit over the top when someone is bringing bare rooted plants that it is obvious that there are no creepy crawlies of any description on them.

Typical Government grab for cash if you ask me, overkill !!!

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by Anton

Well, as of Monday this week, for THE FIRST TIME, you now need phyto certificates to bring orchids into SA.

If you close the gate now, how will the horse get back in?

[Anton]

More money !!!!!!!

[Bolero]

Hang on, if I post orchids to SA I need a phyto? Hmmmmmm another state gone.

Anyway, if you carry the flasks on you when you enter Australia from an overseas holiday then it's ok. Even for those travelling to the world orchid conference it is still ok to bring them back with you and that's the easiest way to do so.

However if you order from overseas and are not carrying them back with you then of course you are importing and need a permit and the costs associated with that.

People are being very negative here. What kind of flasks are you after?

If you contact Murray Shergold of Easy Orchids - or contact Mallee Phallies or even contact one of the overseas growers who regularly bring flasks into Australia such as Sam Tsui from Orchid Inn in the USA then they will come in just fine. I have just deflasked a bunch of flasks I just brought in from overseas via commerical growers and you can too.

If you tell me what kind of plants you want I can try and put you in the right direction. I am bringing at least 6 flasks back from Singapore and there won't be any issues with that either.

No permits and no additional costs.

[Anton]

Aranbeem in Qld also imports good quality stock of Dens, Catts and Vandas.

[Anton]

On further clarification of the phyto issue, we now have it direct from
AQIS that only commercial quantities of flasks require a phyto. That is
7 flasks or more.

We can still bring 6 flasks each into Australia as part of our luggage,
with no phyto or import permit required.

See below from Colleen Peake of AQIS
**********************************

Tissue cultures of orchids via the airport that are less than six, will
continue to have the same conditions no permit or phyto will be
required. All of those over 6 will require both a phyto and import
permit.

Cheers

Colleen Peake
Plant Quarantine Team leader - South West Region

AQIS AUSTRALIAN QUARANTINE AND INSPECTION SERVICE

Tel: (08) 9334 1501
Fax: (08) 9334 1672
Mobile: 0413 156 957
Email: colleen.peake@aqis.gov.au

AFFA website: Home - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Permit application: Application to Import Quarantine Material - DAFF
Icon database: www.aqis.gov.au/icon

[Andrew]

Thanks Anton,
That's good to hear. The exemption from import permits for up to 6 flasks seemed kind of pointless if phyto was going to be required.