Can I order figs from Malta? Is that illegal without a permit?

It is illegal as well as ill-advised. Malta has a borer problem with their figs. Most of the best were brought here years ago, so stick to buying those that are here already.

Errrr

Every country has a border problem with their figs including usa. Usda will intercept your cuttings and burn them. Only if you get caught.

Save yourself a headache, contact drivewayfarmer (fig forum member) and see if he can sell you any of his "Malta Black" cuttings. I paid for four cuttings from him a few months ago, he over-supplied me at no extra charge, and they are impossible to fail. Because i am a noob (maybe why he gifted me with extras), i used the extras to experiment with different rooting techniques, growth media, etc. With this particular variety, all succeeded despite some extreme treatments; I was losing about a third of my other starts when first beginning and still lose 10-15% even though I've now evolved to a particular, highly sterile, sphagnum-based system at a particular humidity level/temperature combination combined with paranoid/obsessive levels of attention to detail... Anyway, his Malta Black is indestructible--extraordinary root systems, fast top growers. Grow your own

And, it happened to me as well.

Maltese Falcon, Maltese Beauty, Malta Purple Red, GM172, etc  ...

What about ordering from Israel? I have some relatives there

How so ?!?

I just feel that some more explaining is required.

My understanding is that legally (USA) importing any plant material involves THE big red tape expensive procedure (think quarantine).
What is so special about the borer bug?
Why are the 9 countries (maybe excluding Canada) you mentioned Are so special privileged?
... etc.

Also, for many others, avoid buying FOREIGN fig twigs form ebay; USDA does monitor such ebay purchases,
and sooner or later one will get a big headache home (twig confiscating) visit form an USDA agent.

You can get most varieties now in the States.

Look, hell in bug form... (Fig Borer)

I had my import permits revoked for several european countries several years ago, prior to this I could import with phytosanitary certificates as long as the material was less than 10 mm in diametre.  Now I would need to pay for risk assessment which could take two years and may not be allowed to import.  The reason was for this bug so I don't bother trying anymore as I am sure the risk will end up being too great ad I won't be allowed to import them anyways.

Anyone thinking that he/she had heard it all; now there is even a COFFEE-berry-borer:

http://www.popsci.com/bug-within-borer-responsible-coffee-crisis

Edit:
I first learned about this problem while our nice recent (wife's vacation - yes, she dragged me along too!)
to HI and visited/toured a very informative coffee farm/processing outfit - Greenwell Farms  - THE best KONA coffee.

Man; we sampled/drank so much coffee that felt somewhat 'hyper' leaving the place.
Our pick : Chocolate Macadamia Nut

http://www.greenwellfarms.com

One thing all of us should consider when we complain about the USDA's policy on importing from fig borer countries.  If the Fig Borer get's through and starts seriously damaging our figs, we would be the ones cursing the customs agents for not doing their jobs the loudest.  It's just something to think about.  God bless.

Marcus

HELLO

No matter where I get my fig cuttings from, I always use 1/2 bleach and 1/2 dish washing detergent and scrub them down really good before even starting to root them!  I have found that this really helps the plants in terms of rooting and getting anything that might have hitched a ride along unknowingly!

The thing with the borer is in wood 10 mm or more it can be laying dormant or lay eggs, this makes it even riskier as even if the borer is not active, it could be lying in wait.