Importing Plants to the USA: What You Need To Know

Plant importing into the United States is a federally regulated process that requires approval before most shipments can enter the country. Most plants imported to the US are subject to federal oversight, and import requirements can vary depending on the type of plant, its country of origin, and how it's shipped. However, nearly all commercial plant imports must meet US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requirements prior to arrival.

Key Takeaways for Importing Plants Into the United States

• Most plants imported into the US require a USDA APHIS import permit, regardless of whether they’re shipped by air, sea, or ground.
• All plant shipments entering the US are subject to inspection by USDA and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry and may be held for further review or quarantine if documentation is incomplete.
• Import requirements vary based on plant type, country of origin, and final destination state, with some states enforcing stricter agricultural controls.
• Shipments that do not meet US plant import regulations can be delayed, seized, or destroyed, resulting in unexpected costs and supply chain disruptions.
• If you’re importing plants commercially or at scale, working with a licensed customs broker can help ensure permits are filed, inspections are coordinated, and entry documentation is submitted correctly from the start.

Understanding how these rules apply to your specific shipment is critical, as requirements and inspection risk can vary by plant type, country of origin, and destination state.

Note: This guide focuses on commercial plant imports into the US. Rules for travelers or individuals carrying plants in personal baggage are different and are governed separately by CBP and USDA APHIS traveler guidance.

Plant Import Requirements for Shipments Entering the US

Different importing requirements exist for different kinds of plants and the industries in which they’re used. However, one requirement nearly all plant imports share is the inclusion of a phytosanitary certificate with the shipment. This certificate verifies inspection by the exporting country’s official National Plant Protection Organization (NPPO). The NPPO is a government service responsible for protecting agricultural and natural resources from plant pests.

Be aware that plants and seeds can be treated with slightly different rules. 

For example, you can import small amounts of seed without an NPPO certificate under certain conditions, which include:

• The seed packets contain no more than 50 specimens
• Seeds are free from pesticides, plant material, soil, and foreign debris
• The shipment is processed at an approved USDA inspection station, such as the Plant Germplasm Quarantine Center in Maryland

You will need a permit to import plants under most circumstances. There are different permits based on the type of plants you’re importing and how they’re to be used.
Some plant materials may be restricted or prohibited from entry into the US depending on pest risk, origin, or applicable regulations. CBP also maintains a broader prohibited items list that includes agricultural restrictions.

Documents You’ll Typically Need When Importing Plants

Importing plants into the US requires accurate documentation to support admissibility, inspection, and entry processing. While requirements can vary by plant type, origin, and intended use, the following documents are typically required for commercial plant imports.

Commercial Invoice

A commercial invoice must clearly describe the plant shipment and is used by CBP and USDA agencies to assess admissibility and duties. At a minimum, invoices should include:

• Quantity of plants or plant products
• Common name and, where possible, the botanical (scientific) name
• Country of origin
• Declared value

USDA Permit or eFile Confirmation (When Required)
Many commercial plant imports require an approved USDA permit issued through the APHIS eFile system. When applicable, the permit number or eFile confirmation must be referenced with the shipment documentation.

Phytosanitary Certificate

A phytosanitary certificate issued by the exporting country’s plant protection authority is a commonly required certification that plants are free from regulated pests and diseases.

Note: Certain seeds and low-risk plant materials may be exempt from phytosanitary certificate requirements depending on APHIS regulations.

Inspection and Plant Inspection Station Routing

Upon arrival, plant shipments are subject to inspection and may be routed to an APHIS Plant Inspection Station for further examination. Inspection routing is determined based on plant type, origin, and declared risk factors.

How To Get A USDA Plant Import Permit

APHIS eFile process is explained in more detail in our guide to obtaining a USDA plant import permit. In the list below, you’ll find the most common Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) examples.  

• PPQ 587: A general permit to import common plants or plant products, such as fruits, vegetables, and cut flowers
• PPQ 585: For timber or timber products 
• PPQ 546: To bring propagative plants that require post-entry quarantine into the country
• PPQ 588: Necessary for plants intended to be used for experimental, therapeutic or developmental purposes
• PPQ 586: For shipping plant products and soil throughout the U.S. once they’ve been imported.
• PPQ 505: To show compliance with Lacey Act requirements (when necessary)

With that explained, let’s run through some more specific import requirements that apply to particular plants. 

Endangered Plant Species by CITES

If you’re importing plants or plant products covered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) or the Endangered Species Act, additional permits may be required depending on the species and regulating authority. CITEs is an international and legally binding treaty that regulates or bans the trade of endangered plant and animal species.

A PPQ form 621 is required for imports subject to the CITES. The PPQ form 621 is a USDA APHIS application for a Protected Plant Permit. CITES-listed plants are required to enter the US through a designated port. 

Some examples of plants in this category include:

• All species of the genus Hoodia, including Bushman’s hat
• African cherries (Prunus africana)
• Orchis mascula and other members of the orchid family

If you’re unsure whether your imports require a permit, you can access the checklist of CITES species.

Fruits And Vegetables

APHIS has a searchable, free-to-use database called Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR). It allows people to search for authorized fruits and vegetables and their US import requirements. Commodities approved under the Q56 revision will not be reflected in the Code of Federal Regulations, but rather in the ACIR database.

Will My Plants Need To Undergo A Post-Entry Quarantine?

In some cases, USDA requires plants to undergo quarantine and treatment for potential infestations or diseases. APHIS will determine the type of treatment necessary for qualified specimens. These treatments can be chemical and non-chemical. 

Fresh fruits and vegetables may require quarantine prior to being allowed into the country. Irradiation treatments that have been developed recently are considered viable phytosanitary options for eliminating certain pests. 

USDA post-entry quarantine requirements are in place to widen the range of plants and foreign sources from which plants can be imported. Through careful monitoring and treatment, plants can be confirmed to be free of pests before entering the market. The regulations are listed and specified in 7 CFR 319.37-23. Requirements for post-entry quarantine are located in the plants for planting manual.

Because soil can carry pests and pathogens that trigger USDA restrictions, see our guide to importing soil into the US to understand what’s allowed, what permits may apply, and how to avoid delays at entry.

Bare-root vs Potted Plants: Why Soil Matters

When importing live plants into the US, USDA APHIS generally prefers plants to be shipped bare-root rather than potted in soil. Soil can harbor pests, pathogens, and microorganisms that pose a risk to US agriculture, making soil-borne imports more likely to trigger additional inspection, treatment, or quarantine requirements.

Plants imported with soil or growing media are more likely to be routed to a USDA Plant Inspection Station for further evaluation and, in some cases, may require post-entry quarantine or be refused entry altogether. Shipping plants bare-root helps reduce inspection risk and is one of the most common ways importers streamline compliance for commercial plant shipments.

The Lacey Act was passed to combat trafficking in illegal wildlife and plants. It is unlawful to import certain plants and plant products without an import declaration. This declaration must be made if your shipment is a formal entry that fulfills the following criteria:

• Contains plant material
• Is classified under a Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) code on the APHIS Implementation Schedule
• Uses one of the entry codes listed here

Shipments that check all of these boxes will require a Lacey Act declaration. You or your importer of record (IOR) must file a Lacey Act declaration via the CBP Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) portal.

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Duties And Fees When Importing Plants

There are several fees associated with any import transaction, including shipping costs and customs duties. Shipping fees will vary based on factors such as distance traveled and mode of transport. Duties are a little easier to predict up front. 

Our HTS Code Lookup Tool helps estimate applicable duty rates based on the plant’s HTS classification and country of origin, both of which can affect final import costs.

Responsibility for paying customs duties always falls on the importer of record (IoR). However, the IoR will change depending on the Incoterms® of the shipment.

Common Scenarios of Shipping Plants to the US

Shipping plants to the United States can take several different forms depending on the type of plant, its origin, and the purpose of the shipment, and each scenario comes with its own regulatory considerations. Let’s look at two together.

Importing Aroid Plants to the USA

The popularity of aroid plants, also known as arums, stems largely from their ability to thrive indoors and outdoors without significant amounts of direct sunlight. Plants of this genus, which vary from vines to flowers, grow on almost every continent. However, some of the most popular varieties grow best in northern Africa, the Mediterranean, and Asia, meaning they often have to be imported for sale in the US.

If you’re interested in importing arums to the United States, importers typically work with suppliers in the aforementioned areas or specialized nurseries in Ecuador. Regardless of your supplier’s location, you’ll need a general permit PPQ 587 to bring the plants into the country.

Since the arum genus isn’t explicitly mentioned in the HTS, aroids can be difficult to classify for importing. For instance, you might think it’s perfectly logical to classify a peace lily under the HTS code for lilies. However, this would be a mistake, since the plant in question only resembles members of the true lily family. 

In this way, aroids highlight the value of consulting with a customs broker during the plant importing process to ensure accuracy and avoid delays in the customs clearance process.

Importing Plants From Thailand

Thailand is home to some of the most sought-after decorative plants among U.S. consumers.

This includes: 

• Ratchaphruek, also known as Golden Rain Lotus 
• Orchid
• Jasmine
• Bat Flower 
• Hibiscus

Thailand is also a major source of cut flowers. See our guide to importing flowers into the US (permits, inspections, and clearance steps) for the exact requirements before you ship.

Importing Christmas Trees to the US

Importing Christmas trees into the US is a highly regulated scenario due to pest and disease risks associated with live and harvested trees. Shipments are subject to strict USDA inspection requirements and may be limited by origin, seasonality, and treatment standards, making advance planning essential.

The US Plant Import Market at a Glance

The scale of plant imports into the United States helps explain why these shipments are subject to heightened oversight. In 2024 alone, the US imported billions of dollars’ worth of plants and plant-based products, with decorative and ornamental plants such as bushes, trees, and flowers representing a significant share of total volume.

The following figures illustrate the relative value of some of the most commonly imported plant-based commodities in 2024, based on trade data.

Much of this volume is concentrated among a small number of exporting countries, reflecting established agricultural supply chains and inspection protocols.

1. Colombia
2. Canada
3. Ecuador
4. The Netherlands
5. Mexico

This combination of high consumer demand, concentrated trade flows, and diverse end uses is a primary reason plants are treated as one of the most closely regulated import categories in the United States. Robust oversight helps protect domestic agriculture, natural ecosystems, and consumers, while ensuring that imported plants entering the US market meet strict safety and compliance standards.

How We Help You Import Plants to the US: Start to Finish

What we do:

Typical timeline: We start your filing the same business day and coordinate inspection/clearance to match the shipment’s arrival window. (Permit processing times vary by species and origin.)

What you’ll need: Commercial invoice, packing list, scientific names (genus/species), quantities, country of origin, exporter details, phytosanitary certificate (when required), and any USDA APHIS permits.

Why choose us: We are licensed customs brokers with plant/APHIS expertise, proven inspection-station coordination, and a clean track record helping importers avoid destruction, re-export, or costly delays.

Outcome: Your plants arrive legally, clear at the proper USDA Plant Inspection Station, and avoid storage and exam fees from preventable paperwork errors.
Start my APHIS permit and entry today or talk to a plant-import specialist now at (855) 912-0406.