Importing hoyas to Canada

17 years ago

I am interested in importing some hoyas from a grower in Hawaii. Does anyone know the rules for importing hoyas to Canada. I have looked through the Canadian Food Inspection Agency website and have only come across restrictions for orchids from the USA. Does anyone have knowledge to assist me and other Canadians?

Thanks for any help you may provide.

Tom

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Comments (12)

canttype
17 years ago
You need to check with the grower to see if they will even send to Canada.

If they will, they will have to supply a Phytosanitary inspection to certify the plant is safe to import. You will have to pay for this service. (about $25.00)

Some growers prefer to send cuttings to Canada, because its easier. Less shipping....

Hope that helps!
Diane

Here is a link that might be useful: Paul Shirley's
hoyasomething
17 years ago
Legally it is prohibited to import house plants with soil from places other than the continental US without an import permit which has to obtained/approved prior to shipment of the plants. A phyto alone is not sufficient. You can import Houseplants from the continental US without paperwork but they must be accompanied by the importer when crossing the border so mailing them is not legal.
Again that's the legal to the book procedure which can be expensive and tedious if go the way of the import permit.
Most of us will take the risky "hope we don't get caught" route. In general cuttings alone without soil are less likely to get caught by customs.

Here is a link that might be useful: Agri Canada houseplant import US
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aHoyaMan
Original Author
17 years ago
I appreciate the input that both of you have provided. My intentions are to import the plant rooted, but without soil. Twenty five dollars, or so, is reasonable for a phytosanitary certificate. Thanks again.

Tom
Lizzz4_8
17 years ago
Hi Tom
ON my last visit to Toronto the guy at customs told me that I can bring any plants as long as no soils.
aHoyaMan
Original Author
17 years ago
Hi Lizzz4_8,

Did you take the plants with you while travelling? Its seems the rules are different for having them sent to you by mail versus travelling with them across the border. Or am I mistaken?

Tom
Lizzz4_8
17 years ago
I did not have any plants but I carried a lot's of fresh fruits and frozen Dungenness crab and everything was fine because I always declare everything I am bringing in to Canada. I know last time when my sister send a packages to my mom they open everything and investigate it. But if I were you I will try a small batch first and see what will happen. or try to import cuttings instead just soak it in water and after few weeks there will be lots of roots.
And put some of the roots powder in the water it helps too.
maimiti
17 years ago
Getting all the soil off rooted plants is vertually impossible. I've tried to rinse it off but there's always some that stays put. Even if I root in moss I can't get everything off.

Logees has some plants on their list of Hoyas and they are in the continental US so as I understand your rules they would be ok.

There is actually a vendor in Canada as well, Flora Exotica and they might be interesting to take a look at.

Here is a link that might be useful: Logees Greenhouses
canttype
17 years ago
I tried to order from Flora Exotica but the guy never got back to me after he said that he would. (he was going on holidays)

Don't think I will try again....

Diane
venuscat
17 years ago
I have checked with Canada Permit application office. The permit itself will cost you C$35.00. You have to fill it out and fax it to Ottawa. I heard it takes a week or so to process. On top of that you have to pay another US$30.00 for phytosanitory certificate for US to approve it to export it out plus your shipping and handling charges. Here is the link for your permit application form if you are interested http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/importe.shtml I am comtemplating at the moment.
CanadianCeedub
17 years ago
Ahoyaman, there's another hoya supplier in Canada, Pike Lake Greenhouses in Saskatoon, Sask. He has 22 types of hoya, and they are always received extremely healthy and well packed for shipping, but a lot of them are mislabeled. However, I've got everything he has, and have a list of what they should be named; send me an email and I'll give you the list. Flora Exotica's hoyas are also wonderful and very healthy. Dianne, I'd give him another chance if I were you, he tends to be very busy and can forget about promises. Just keep emailing him, that's what I do, and I get great service from him.
Christine.
venuscat
17 years ago
ahoyaman,

I must admit Tom at PLG is awesome. I mailed my mo on Friday and my plants came on a Tuesday the following week. He secured the plants in perfect condition upon delivery. What is more he called to check if everything is satisfactory. Two thumbs up to Tom! I will definitely order again from PLG.
isy_v
17 years ago
does anyone have the correct names of the plants offered at Pike Lake Greenhouses? i would like to order and thought it would be a good idea to know what i am really ordering.