Shipping plant cuttings from USA to Lithuania?

Question

Putting together a little care package for some friends in Lithuania who like to garden. I'm only putting one cutting in the package along with some other souvenirs and plan to ship using USPS. I purchased the cuttings from a local walmart and the package says: APPROVED FOR EXPORT, EXCEPT TO ARIZONA. I can't find the answer on USPS but I'm guessing they'll be ok to ship internationally? Anyone have experience with shipping cuttings to Europe? Is it okay for me to tape and wrap the package before going to the post office or will I have to open it to show the clerk?

Answer 1

I wouldn't do it.

The rules for plant materials are EXTREMELY strict, no matter what country it is going to.

Plants can harbor any number of diseases or pests. If the cutting is discovered, there are heavy fines for trying to ship it into another country. The USPS will hold you liable for any fines related to the cutting.



Edit: Plant material must go through a quarantine process before entering a country. Each country has its own rules. The reason for the strict control is because a disease or pest that is not native to the area could potentially decimate an entire indigenous ecosystem.

A couple of examples; Dutch Elm Disease, Emerald Ash Borer. Viruses can hide in seemingly healthy plants but are highly contagious. Once a virus invades a plant, the plant should be destroyed so it cannot transmit contagion.

Answer 2

Contact your State Department of Agriculture or a branch of the USDA : go to this page http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_exports/ecs/index.shtml Enter your state where you live and find the name / phone number of a plant export specialist. The US doesnt care what plant material you ship out but the country you want to ship to often does and if you dont have the proper documentation when the plants arrive you risk having them destroyed. It is kind of a pain but foreign countries are often very particular what they allow into their country. Part of it is avoiding the risk of new plant pests entering the country and part of it is just politics. I used to work for the Department of Agriculture in California and have seen a lot of this.

Answer 3

you could try shipping the cutting separately from the rest of the Items. The worst that would happen, is that they will confiscate it. I don't know the laws of Lithuania, I'd say give it a shot.

Answer 4

Every country has its own rules. But shipping live plant material is problematic, as they can carry (unkowingly) disease and pests (larvae, eggs, and other dormant tiny things). Seeds are a much better risk, and are generally allow everywhere.