From and email from the USDA, today:

"[C]uttings and other propagative parts of the fig being imported into the USA require an import permit and a post entry quarantine.  Any cuttings shipped over here without [a permit] are subject to seizure and destruction by Customs and Border Protection, any that get through to the destination without an import permit and post entry quarantine risk being seized by an Officer of the USDA.  This restriction is designed to prevent the introduction or exotic (to the US) pests and diseases.  The ePermits site is here :

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/learn_epermits.shtml

 All propagative parts from all species including seeds being imported to the US require APHIS issued import permits.  Lacking the permit can result in the materials being seized at the port of entry.

Post entry quarantine means that for one or two growing seasons a government inspector will examine the plants propagated for signs of disease.  The permit will list how far away from other figs and susceptible species the quarantined cutting must be grown."

Thanks, Jon.

The website doesn't show all the prices associated with plant imports (or I couldn't find them).
Could you tell approx. what fees are involved in the importing of the figs cuttings and live plants?

Thanks!

Igor,

Could not find this information either. I am planning to go to the local office either Monday or Tuesday.

Thank you for the information.

Best ,
Tam

The costs vary.

The program is a USDA run program, but much of it is outsourced to the State Ag departments, who, in turn, outsource some if it to local County Ag departments. So in my case, the quarantine zones and initial inspection was done by the County Ag inspector, The annual inspection of a specific batch of cuttings was done by a State inspector, and final disposition (releasing them to me) was initiated by the County Ag, after inspection by State Ag, The County request is forwarded to state Ag, who forwards it to the USDA, who issues the final release.

The cuttings/plants are inspected yearly, and must be in full leaf for the final inspection, so the quarantine period is usually 2-1/2 years or so, if the cuttings came when dormant.

All imported cuttings are the property of the USDA while they are in quarantine, and until their final written release by the USDA.

There is no charge for the PEQ Permit (Post-Entry Quarantine), but there can be charges for the inspections, which in my case are $67 per visit, if charged. That is the going hourly rate for a County Ag visit.

Each state handles things a little differently, but ultimately it is all a USDA program and under their control and authority.

The permits are very specific. They list what is being imported, from where, and what quantity. They can be amended as situations change.

I would like to add that people from USDA keep an eye (and know who buys on eBay).
This winter I decided to get some cuttings from Turkey. In April a USDA inspector from Miami appeared at my door with a copy of my invoice and papers to seize the cuttings for destruction. He was extremely nice!
It so happens that anyone can ship anywhere but at the port of entry problems arise.
Also, most of the good varieties where brought in by immigrants in the past but without the proper name. Buying from other country might give you a variety that is already in the USA under a different name.

So if one wanted to import dried figs or just seeds they would need a permit.  Would there still be a quarantine process or can they go right to the permittee?  How does this compare to the process for imported dried figs for consumption?
I don't have any plans at the moment, but should the right opportunity arise I want to make sure to do this correctly and understand the process.
Thanks,
Greg

Greg, I can't speak to dried fruit. That is probably in a different category, but still covered. Contact USDA and see what they say.

As a starting point, there are fruits and nuts that are not allowed into the country at all, and are confiscated at the border when crossing from Mexico into the US. Avocados were on that list, along with mangos. Mango seeds were OK, but avocado seeds were not.

Because of some beetle (don't remember the name, right now) no fig cuttings larger than 10 mm in diameter are allowed in from any infected country, which includes all of Europe, even if you HAVE a permit.

Jon, thanks, I'll do that.  If I get a good clear answer I'll share that here.

USDA/APHIS's latest import manual. See TABLE 2-10 Regulating Host-Country Combinations for Anoplophora chinensis (CLB) and Anoplophora glabripennis (ALB) from "Other than Canada"  >> Ficus >> Other than from China, Netherlands, Taiwan, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Mexico, Thailand, PROHIBIT ENTRY. That is a change from earlier this year when the 10 mm rule was in effect.

So, basically no ficus into the US.

Some Canadian nurseries have a good selection of figs. The manual states that the plants grown in Canada must be accompanied by the phytosanitary certificate.
So, if one wants to order from the Brugmansia-Quebec nursery, is it still possible to get the plants without a major hassle?
Do they supply the  phytosanitary certificate with their figs is asked to do so?
Is it enough?

Greenfig,  You will still need an import permit, as I understand it, and one of the conditions of the permit will be a phytosanitary certificate.

Alan, Welcome to the brave new world.

Alan, the rules changed on May 20th so that's the case except for a few countries.

I wonder if they found the 10mm rule to be ineffective in eliminating introduction of the beetles.

Just need a clarification. We will be traveling to Hawaii later this summer and I located a source for fig cuttings. I thought all that I needed to do was to remove leaves, wash the cuttings really well with bleach, put them in a labeled box, show them to the inspector at the airport and then the box could either be mailed or carried on as luggage? Is this information correct? We will be traveling from Hawaii to Chicago in the first leg of the trip.

Thanks FiggySid and thanks to Harvey for clarifying. It seems like "Hawaii" is a whole other country with regard to plant materials!

I will do my best to avoid being arrested at the airport and will do the cleaning, the bleaching, no soil, no leaves and no roots approach. I have no idea what to expect in the way of fig variety when I arrive at the tree but will take pictures of the tree, the leaves and any fruit so ID will be doable.

Damn, it sucks to be an american fig collector.
Over here we do not have any restrictions other than from some very shady countries, for cuttings that is.
Live plants is another story, but still no restrictions between members of the E.U.

True, Rob, but here in the U.S. we at least have many friends who have already done the importing for us.  I do think the extent of some regulations are very ineffective since when they eliminate the possibility of someone importing things legally there are a percentage of folks who do so without any inspections, etc.  Australia is even tougher.

Just thought I would bump this up since the subject has come up for discussion over the last few days.