CS PlantsImporting Platycerium into the USA
Permits, phytosanitary certificates, and growing-media rules for the US market.
Platycerium and other true ferns fall under the USDA APHIS commodity import requirements for plants for planting. An import permit is required in general, with one significant exception: shipments of twelve or fewer plants for planting do not require a permit, and may be sent directly to the importer through any port of entry without routing through a plant inspection station. Permits for larger shipments are issued through APHIS eFile.
Every shipment must travel with an original phytosanitary certificate issued by the national plant protection organization of the country in which the plants were grown, dated no more than fifteen days before shipment. The certificate must state the place of origin, confirm that the consignment was inspected and found free of quarantine pests of the United States, and identify the plants by genus — species or cultivar is strongly preferred.
Plants must be free of sand, soil, and growing media. Narrow exceptions exist for epiphytes established solely on coconut husk, coconut fiber, new clay pots, new wooden baskets, or tree fern slabs; otherwise plants may not arrive established or growing in any packing material, and only materials on the APHIS approved list may be used.
Size limits apply. Whole plants are admissible at eighteen inches (457 mm) or less measured from the soil line. Epiphytes without branches, leaves, or sprouts are admissible at four inches (102 mm) or less in diameter and six feet (1.83 m) or less in length; epiphytes imported with branches, leaves, or sprouts are admissible at eighteen inches (457 mm) or less in total length.
Consignments sent by mail or express carrier must carry a green-and-yellow PPQ Form 508 label showing the address of the destination plant inspection station, and that address must be the only one appearing on the exterior of the package. A packing list identifying the contents of each box, with scientific names to the lowest taxon and the number of plant units, must accompany the shipment.
Which of these provisions govern a particular order depends on the species, size, quantity, and port involved, and the requirements are revised from time to time. If you are planning a shipment to the USA, contact us and we will confirm what applies to your order.
CS Plants started as a Taiwan-based Platycerium exporter. Today we supply rare Platycerium, ferns and foliage plants wholesale, and work as a plant sourcing agent across Taiwan, Thailand and Japan — ordering from growers, handling payment, phytosanitary paperwork and shipping on your behalf. Our supply also includes partner growers in Southeast Asia and Australia, and since 2024 we have shipped to collectors and growers in more than a dozen countries across North America, Europe and Asia.
Need plants from Taiwan, Thailand or Japan? We can source and ship them for you →
This page is provided for reference only. Actual shipping and import requirements are governed by current regulations. Please contact us directly with any questions or specific needs.