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.

[QUOTE=pitangadiego]

 All propagative parts from all species including seeds being imported to the US require APHIS issued import permits.[/QUOTE]

Why did they have to choose a name so close to aphid?

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.

[QUOTE=GolfMomTN]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.[/QUOTE]

As far as I know its, (no roots, no leaves, no soil.)  They sell 6 inch tropical plant cuttings at the airports in Hawaii, so people can bring them back to the mainland.  Mostly ti cuttings and plumerias.  But fig cuttings should be fine also. 

[QUOTE=GolfMomTN]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.[/QUOTE]

This thread is about importing cuttings from other countries.

Check the TN regulations summary at http://nationalplantboard.org/laws-and-regulations/

Cuttings at of plumeria, etc. at the airport have been inspected and cleared for bringing into other states.

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.

[QUOTE=pitangadiego]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.[/QUOTE]

[QUOTE=pitangadiego]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."

[QUOTE=ThaiFig][QUOTE=pitangadiego]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."

@Harvey Thanks for the link to the updated document. But paragraph VI-A says under 10mm diameter cuttings are exempt from this order??

@Jerry_M uh, no, I don't. Nor do I see the relevance of your comment to the legal requirements attached to commercially selling fig cuttings to US customers. ;) I shouldn't want to sell a cutting to you on EBAY only to have Customs seize the shipment or USDA officers come by your home and collect all your fig plants.

[QUOTE=ThaiFig]@Harvey Thanks for the link to the updated document. But paragraph VI-A says under 10mm diameter cuttings are exempt from this order??[/QUOTE]

They are only exempt from those countries listed and only exempted from the order regulating the longhorn beetles (which would otherwise prohibit importation).  All other requirements including import permits and quarantine still apply.

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.

Thanks Harvey for the clarification. I finally found the information you provided documented in 7CFR 319.37-7. It confirms that under those restrictions of permits and quarantines, fig plants grown in Thailand can still be imported into the US. The question then is, how many US collectors are able to establish the necessary quarantine spaces, obtain the import permits, and are interested in acquiring foreign figs.

We in Thailand are still able to import bare root figs with phyto certificates here into Thailand, and a growing season from bare root to viable air layer is only 4 or 5 months. So if there are licensed importers interested in a specific variety not already available in the USA, there is probably a limited opportunity to have them exported to Thailand, regrown here, and then air layered or sent as cuttings to the USA. I say limited time because I expect the beetles will eventually make their way from Malaysia to here and Thailand will no longer be exempt from the import ban. But for now, we appear to be free of this pest.

I would be willing to do this as a free service to anyone for the obvious benefit of getting new fig varieties myself. I believe our local government agricultural office can do phyto inspections and issue the certificates. I would of course confirm this before commencing.

[QUOTE=ThaiFig]@Jerry_M uh, no, I don't. Nor do I see the relevance of your comment to the legal requirements attached to commercially selling fig cuttings to US customers. ;) I shouldn't want to sell a cutting to you on EBAY only to have Customs seize the shipment or USDA officers come by your home and collect all your fig plants.[/QUOTE]Tahi, you are absolutely correct about my post. I must have been having a 72 year old senior moment. It has been deleted.

Thanks for bring this to my attention. I hope there are no hard feelings.

If you are ever in a position to export fig plants or cuttings to USA, I would be interested.

Heh heh none at all. From the other replies and my own research it looks like I can export to US to anyone willing to jump through the hòops of getting an import license. Obviously, only worthwhile for fig varieties not already available from other US sources.

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