Importing plants

Are we allowed to? I haven't bought anything , yet, but I was just wondering if there are any restrictions?

Val

 

Which country were you thinking of importing from? I get plants from a firm based in Holland who deliver all over Europe, including the UK. I've seen other posters on here get things from India and the USA.

 

https://www.gov.uk/bringing-food-animals-plants-into-uk/plants

 

I've bought cactus from Germany, but I have seen plants on ebay that are in Malaysia and it got me wondering.

Val

 

I've bought seeds from America, and they got here and so far, as at the time of writing, I have never spent so much as a single night in any of Her Majesty's Hotels.

If its a legit business that has been around for a while, then its probably ok, as the onus is on them to make sure they do everything by the book. If it is a dodgy sounding one man band that has only just set up and hasn't had time to get caught if he's being naughty, I'd leave well alone.

 

I buy seeds from the USA . I would think plug plants may be controlled . You may be importing all sorts of nasty bugs into our eco system .

 

Seems to me that seeds are fine, I've never had a problem importing them, but I would expect plants (from outside the EU) to be a problem - because of the risk of bugs etc. I would expect a Phytosanitary Certificate to be required for Customs not to destroy them / get angry. They are usually a nuisance, and expensive, to get.

If you can grow it from seed then that would be a better bet I reckon (or buy the plant in this country of course)

 

I've just been looking into this as I'm off for a couple of mini-breaks this spring and one place I am going apparently has a fab shop with unusual plants to buy which is attached to the national botatical gardens I'm planning on visiting. I've done it before without actually checking regulations but it appears within the EU that it is ok. I'm going to try to keep them in fine feetle in some zip lock freezer bags and hope for the best.

GG

 

I've also had mail order plants from Holland, which were excellent. I don't know about restrictions on bringing them back with you from abroad though, I suspect you might get into difficulties travelling with them through airports.