Importing plants –
it’s not that hard
ISSUE
NUMBER:
2002/16
Thought you might import some plants, but not sure where to start? Importing plants is not
difficult as long as you know the process that is involved. This Nursery Paper describes the
process and details some helpful hints from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
The first thing you need to do when importing
plants is to get a positive identification of the
species, especially the botanical name.You can
then do a search to see if the plant is already in
Australia, potentially negating the need for
importation. Secondly, ensure that you are not
breaking any laws or protocol, such as the
Convention for International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITIES), in the country
you are exporting from. You will need to contact the appropriate authorities in the country
of origin to clarify this.
Assuming there are no problems with the export
of the plant from the country of origin, the next
stage is to assess whether the plant species or
genera is currently permitted entry into
Australia. This is easy. Go to the Australian
Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) web
page at <www.affa.gov.au> and click on the
AQIS section and select the Import Conditions
(ICON) database.Type in your plant genera and
if the plant is not found on ICON then by default
an assessment will be required to determine if
the plant poses a weed risk.
If an assessment is required, you will need to fill
out a plant introduction form and submit it
to AQIS. This assessment may take some time,
but will be completed more quickly if sufficient
and appropriate information is submitted with
the form.
If the plant is currently permitted for entry,
apply for an import permit from AQIS. Import
permits must be obtained prior to importing
plants, and it will specify the conditions and
requirements that must be met (such as methyl
bromide treatment). Application forms can be
found on the AQIS web page via
<www.affa.gov.au> or obtained from your local
AQIS office.An import permit costs $100.
Imported ornamental plants deemed medium
risk are permitted to undergo quarantine at privately run AQIS approved facilities. Plants
deemed high risk undergo quarantine at one of
the AQIS facilities.
Inspecting plant material at the Australian Quarantine
and Inspection Service
© NGIA – The Nursery Papers – Issue no 2002/16 – Page 1
Some helpful hints for the selection of good
material:
• Do not select plants that show obvious signs of
disease.
• Do not select plants with soft, tender new
growth. Go for plants that have hardened off.
• If it is a deciduous plant, send it when it is just
about to emerge from dormancy.
• If it is a perennial, send it when it has died down.
• Make sure that all soil is removed from the roots.
This could cost you time and (lots of) money if it
has to be cleaned under quarantine supervision in
Australia.
Ensure that you pack your plants well by wrapping them, particularly the roots, in damp paper or
sphagnum but keep the foliage dry. They can be
wrapped individually or in small bundles and then
in plastic with holes in it to let them breathe.
Pack the bundles loosely in a sturdy box with some
protection such as shredded paper or polystyrene.
Avoid any constricting ties that may bruise the
plants. Also, obtain prior approval from AQIS for
importing tissue-cultured plants that have been
removed from the agar. Most importantly, ensure
that all plants are labelled with the full botanical
name.
When it comes to shipment, remember:
• Time is important; so keep in mind that airfreight
(especially direct flights) is generally the fastest.
• Obtain shipping quotes and consider transit
insurance.
• Use only new cartons and ensure no free water in
the package.
• Have a copy of your import permit, packing list,
invoice and other documents in an envelope
attached to the outside of the parcel – it will help
with the clearance through Customs.
• Forewarn AQIS of large shipments.
• Make sure that your customs agent (if you use
one) and/or the courier know that your parcel contains live plant material and shouldn’t be delayed.
• Ensure the parcel is addressed to yourself.
• Make sure that LIVE PLANT MATERIAL is clearly
written on the outside of the package.
If the plants arrive by mail, the plants will be intercepted at the mail centre and you will receive a
notice from AQIS to advise that your plants have
been ordered into quarantine.
Care of plants after fumigation with methyl
bromide
The following tips are a guide only and are based on
the experience of AQIS staff in handling plants that
have been fumigated.
• Air the plants for at least two hours, with a gentle
flow of air from a small fan in a humid environment.
• Do not let the plants dehydrate – cover the roots
with damp paper or sphagnum.
• Foliage should not be wet for 24 hours – it could
form bromic acid wherever the tissue has been
damaged.
• Cuttings are also best left out of a mist propagation bed for the first 24 hours – however do not let
them dehydrate.
• Keep out of bright sunlight and strong winds for
at least 48 hours.
• Trim damaged or broken leaves and stems, wilted
leaves and also flowers with disinfected secateurs.
• If the plant has a lot of foliage, trimming could be
beneficial.
• Initially pot into a very open draining mix devoid
of fertiliser.
• Once plants show signs of growing and roots
have established liquid feed the plants and then
they can be re-potted into a mix with fertiliser.
• Rooted plants should not be put in a pot that is
too large – almost ‘underpot’ them.
• Do not keep plants too wet – only water them if
the potting mix is drying out.
• Only use disinfected tools and equipment and
collect leaf litter to discourage fungal infections.
The bottom line
Importing plants is not difficult as long as you supply the appropriate information, obtain an import
permit from AQIS and use some of the helpful hints
outlined above.
Acknowledgements
Anthony Wicks, Jane Urquhart and Mark Whattam
from AQIS and Ian Collins from ColourWise
Nursery.
If the plants arrive by airfreight, a customs broker or
agent can arrange Customs clearance, payment of
freight charges and quarantine clearance and
inspection charges.
Page 2 – © NGIA – The Nursery Papers – Issue no 2002/16