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🇺🇸 North America Biosecurity Gate • Title 7 CFR 319.37

Importing Indonesian Tropical Plants
to the United States.

A regulatory and logistical roadmap for US plant boutiques, rare aroid collectors, and commercial nurseries importing live flora from Indonesia under USDA APHIS standards. Buyers must verify current taxon-specific admissibility and carrier availability prior to ordering.

Transit Duration
3 – 5 Days

Carrier estimated air express transit (subject to customs/PIS queues)

Small Order Rule
≤ 12 Plants

Personal exemption rule for admissible taxa; verify species in ACIR

Commercial Orders
13+ Plants

Requires USDA eFile PPQ 587 Permit (Free) + PIS routing labels

Customs Duty
< $800 Rule

Section 321 de minimis threshold; subject to CBP discretion

1. The 12-Plant Exemption vs Commercial PPQ 587 Permits

Under USDA APHIS regulations, consignments of up to 12 admissible plants per shipment for personal use may enter without a formal USDA import permit, provided the plant taxon is not restricted or prohibited under 7 CFR 319.37 and the shipment is accompanied by an official Phytosanitary Certificate issued by Indonesia's Agricultural Quarantine Agency (Barantan). Importers must verify in the USDA ACIR (Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements) database that the specific genera or species ordered are eligible for entry without a permit.

If you are a commercial nursery or ordering 13 or more plants, you must obtain a USDA PPQ 587 permit before dispatch. The application is free, completed online via USDA eFile, and typically processed within 5–10 business days.

2. Green & Yellow Shipping Labels (PPQ 508)

For permit holders (13+ plants), the USDA issues barcoded Green and Yellow Mailing Labels (Form PPQ 508). These labels instruct international carriers to route the parcel directly to your designated USDA Plant Inspection Station (PIS) for inspection and clearance before forwarding to your final delivery address. Importers must supply their valid permit PDF and digital PPQ 508 labels to the exporter prior to shipment dispatch.

Primary Plant Inspection Stations (PIS):

  • Miami, FL (MIA): 3500 NW 62nd Ave, Building 1012, Miami, FL 33122
  • Jamaica, NY (JFK): 230-59 Rockaway Blvd, Suite 100, Jamaica, NY 11413
  • Los Angeles, CA (LAX): 11840 S. La Cienega Blvd, Hawthorne, CA 90250
  • Atlanta, GA (ATL): 4341 International Pkwy, Suite 150, Hapeville, GA 30354

3. Export Preparation & Packaging Standards

• Bare-Root Preparation: Thorough hydrodynamic washing to remove soil and potting media in accordance with 7 CFR 319.37 import requirements.

• Moisture-Calibrated Packaging: Roots wrapped in clean sphagnum moss with carefully controlled moisture to protect root health while avoiding excess free moisture during air transit.

• Seasonal Thermal Protection: Insulated packaging and heat packs utilized during colder weather to mitigate temperature stress along transit corridors.

• Regulatory Documentation Pouch: Official Barantan Phytosanitary Certificate (with e-Phyto verification where applicable), commercial invoice manifest, and USDA green/yellow mailing labels (for permit shipments) affixed in an exterior clear document pouch.

Admissibility & Logistics FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions: US Plant Imports

Key regulatory references regarding USDA APHIS requirements, Barantan phytosanitary documentation, and port inspection procedures. Always confirm current rules with USDA APHIS prior to importing.

Do I need an import permit to import plants from Indonesia to the United States?↓
Under USDA APHIS regulations, consignments of 12 or fewer admissible plants imported for personal use may qualify for entry without a USDA PPQ Form 587 permit, provided the consignment is accompanied by an authentic Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country and the species are not prohibited under 7 CFR 319.37. Consignments of 13 or more plants (and commercial shipments) require a valid USDA PPQ Form 587 permit and official USDA PPQ Form 508 Green and Yellow shipping labels routing cargo to a USDA Plant Inspection Station. Buyers must verify current taxon-specific admissibility in the USDA ACIR database prior to ordering.
Does Foliaria provide Barantan Phytosanitary Certificates for US shipments?↓
Every botanical export consignment dispatched by Foliaria is submitted for official phytosanitary inspection by Indonesia's quarantine authority (Barantan / Badan Karantina Indonesia). When approved and issued, an official Phytosanitary Certificate (including e-Phyto documentation with QR code verification) accompanies the shipment. Issuance is subject to official inspection and species admissibility, and buyers must confirm their specific taxon requirements beforehand.
Which US ports of entry handle Indonesian botanical air cargo?↓
Designated USDA Plant Inspection Stations (PIS) handling botanical air-freight entries include Miami (MIA), Jamaica/New York (JFK), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Atlanta (ATL). For permitted shipments (13+ plants), the importer's PPQ 587 permit specifies the designated PIS corresponding to the assigned flight routing.
How are plants prepared to survive US import inspection?↓
Plants are prepared following standard export biosecurity protocols: thorough bare-root washing to remove soil media per 7 CFR 319.37 requirements, preventive root treatment, packaging in clean sphagnum moss with controlled moisture, and insulated packaging with seasonal heat packs as conditions require. Buyers should note that entry remains subject to final USDA APHIS physical inspection at the port of entry.

Ready to Import into the United States?

Review our wholesale export catalog of Indonesian tropical houseplants and rare aroids. Please verify your taxon admissibility and import permit requirements with USDA APHIS before finalizing orders. Minimum wholesale consignment is 20 plants.

Explore Wholesale CatalogView US Shipping Rates