shipping plants

EB,

Bringing them in is a piece of cake--I don't think you even have ot declare them. I brought orchids, bamboo plants and several others. No problem whatsoever.

I understand it might be a problem to bring them back to the States if you decide to do that. I think I heard that it can be done, bu that you would have to remove all of the soil, and transport them "bare rooted". You would need to declare them, and there would be a USDA inspection, I think.

My understanding of taking any agricultural item back statside is absolutely prohibited, can't even take a piece of fruit out. I'm sure Islander has or can get the facts.

PH

Thanks alot for the information, only have a few special ones, I collect bonsai and have had several for a long time and would hate to loose them to someone else's care

Hello,

Parrothead - the fruit thing, they don't allow apples... oranges and bananas are Ok though. Actually I am not sure which fruits besides apples that they don't allow. But yes if someones interested I can find out.

Elizabeth - there are restrictions on plants... however coming from the states the inspections you would pass through would all be stateside so you would need to find out if there are any restrictions from your airline and local airport. You don't pass through inspection once you get to the USVI airport when arriving from a US airport. If you are coming from a foreign airport you would and yes they check for plants and fruits in those cases. How were you going to travel with them? Just curious. Definately contact your airline and see if they can assist with any regulations that would apply stateside to your plants.

--Islander

When I went through customs (stx airport) last week 03/01, I was specifically asked about apples and Oranges, but not bananas.