>> About the import permits, >> >> Under the previous administration we were handed this process. It >> seems like the system is a government mess, designed under the >> rules imposed as the result of 911, it's a system that allows US >> residents and citizens to conduct computer peer to peer >> communication. It is also designed by civilians under contract to >> the government and is not owned by the government. In an effort to >> spread tax payer dollars back to the civilians, who are in the >> business of making money. That's the system we got and at this >> point in time it's what we have to work with. >> >> 1. Permits are required for small lots of seed permit and the >> general "Q-37" permit. All shipments are required to have a >> Phytosanitary certificate, but not required for the small lots of >> seed permit. >> >> Links that may be helpful >> ePermits. Designed to be helpful once you get over that annoying >> verification process. one trick is to click on the map to see >> validation sites near you, call to make sure they are open,. >> because of government cut backs some services are limited because >> of staffing shortages and funding. >> USDA did not invent it nor was it APHIS idea, it was a system >> designed and implemented by an elected official using private >> civilian contractors. USDA does not own nor can we change the >> system without paying more money to the civilians who are awarded >> the contract. <http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ >> learn_epermits.shtml>http://aphis.usda.gov/permits/… >> Mail/fax can still be used, it will take longer to get a permit >> because the paper submission is typed into the electronic system >> by a college student to get to the application to the right >> permit specialists. The more submissions received, the longer it >> takes them to get through the in-box. First in first out policy no >> expedited permits are done even when you have a brother who is an >> elected official. Its all FOIA documentation. >> No APHIS cannot hire more people to process permits because there >> is a hiring freeze in place, and only one person is hired for >> every two that leave. We are in the age of smaller government. >> >> Typing in the permit with epermits yourself means it will go >> directly to the permit writer. Thus saving time and possible >> errors. Picture an 18 year old college student at minimum wage >> processing your application. What level of quality control would >> you expect? >> >> If you apply for a permit know the regulations that you are >> applying for. >> 7 CFR319.37 is the regulation to be aware of. Just like getting a >> driver's license there are reasons why the permit is required. The >> rules were in place before anyone on this chat group were born and >> probably many of your grandparents too. Unless of course they are >> 145 years old, then I apologize. >> The 587 is the general import permit that most people will need, >> CITES is another level of import requirements, it's a trade >> regulation put in place by the "exporting" country, the importing >> country monitors and when things go wrong have to offer the plants >> back to the country of origin. >> links to permits: <http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >> >http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >> >> Remember that these are free permits. Not so in all countries. The >> cost for issuing and monitoring is paid by all taxpayers, >> The Phytosanitary certificate is part of the international >> agreements. Shipments can be rejected for lack of this document. >> PPQ established the small lots of seed permit to help out small >> business, seed collectors and folks who found it difficult to >> obtain (cost is prohibitive in some countries) A US Phytosanitary >> certificate is about 50$ to obtain for US origin exports. >> <http://aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/… >> >http://aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/… >> this may be a good option for you if you do seed exchange into the >> USA, there are restrictions and every shipment must clear through a >> Plant Inspection Station. IT is only for seed that have no special >> restrictions. Know the import requirements first be fore you >> request or pay for a shipment. >> >> There is useful information under the circulars <http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >> >http://aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/… >> for bulbs, seed and plants >> >> Bulbs that are precleared is an option from the exporting country, >> the inspection is the same overseas as if done in the USA. The >> foreign exporter pays for this service to have a US inspection and >> inspector in a foreign country, thus not all bulbs are precleared. >> >> Just a personal note after being on this chat group for four years >> now. >> Please understand that every year I check in and as a result I get >> the usual comments about my lineage and how much of a plant nazi I >> am and a few other comments. I realize that this is often >> individuals not this group. Which I find generally have a keen >> interest in plants. >> Please disregard this if you choose, I know I'm long winded and I >> never seem to make this simple, but regulations are complex and >> don't always make common sense, changing the federal regulations is >> a glacial process. My participation in this group is not >> entrapment, nor am I being a sneaky sleaze, in all honesty I can >> care less if you want to smuggle or think the government is out to >> get you personally, just be smart enough to realize that this is a >> public forum as part of the web. If you bring in dirty plants or an >> invasive plant it'll be your backyard that is ground zero. I hope >> your not my neighbor. Very few chat groups have the senior import >> specialist for plants for planting on their site, trust me I do >> grow plants and I have a valid import permit just like anyone else. >> If you have specific details I'll be glad to discuss off line. >> >> Bill >