Shipping outdoor plants across the country or abroad may be a tricky task, but it is definitely not an impossible one. Discover how to pack and send potted plants via courier with expert tips from our specialists. Check how to ship plants, flowers, and vegetable seeds in the safest way possible. Booking a shipping service with us takes only a few instants and we will also help you in every step of the way.
READY TO SHIP?
BEFORE SHIPPING
Please take into consideration the following steps when you decide to ship live plants by courier:
HOW TO SHIP
HOW TO PACK
To make sure your plant seeds are properly protected for shipping, follow these simple guidelines:
PACKAGE SHIPPING
Follow this guide to prepare your plants for transportation before sending them via courier:
PALLET TRANSPORT
Guidelines for shipping trees and big plants by freight shipment:
SHIPPING REGULATIONS
When shipping plants or seeds within Europe, check whether it needs a phytosanitary certificate, as it depends on the type of plant you are shipping. The same recommendation goes for plant seeds delivery by courier or by mail. The European Union applies strict regulations to plants that are sent from outside the EU. However, there are no legal requirements for additional sanitary checks and certificates if the plant is grown and transported across the EU.
When it comes to delivering plants to countries outside the EU, it is necessary to check the official requirements and regulations from both countries related to this international plant transportation.
The first step is to check whether the species of plant you want to transport is allowed in that country. Secondly, the sender needs to arrange all necessary documents for it to be cleared in customs. In the USA, for example, one is required to have a permit of transportation and transit when importing plants into American soil. In Australia, the species of the plant must be listed as allowed on the BICON website and may be required to go to quarantine upon arrival.
Before shipping flower bulbs and seeds internationally, it is important to make sure that they present no pest or disease risk. Bulbs should not contain soil.
NEED MORE INFORMATION?
If that species of plant is allowed in the country of destination and you have all necessary documents required for the shipment and customs clearance, shipping plants overseas is possible. Always check what are the rules of the local authorities before shipping such items. In general, small quantities of plants, trees, or plant products could be transported internationally for non-industrial, non-commercial, or scientific purposes.
Most courier companies consider plants as restricted or prohibited items. However, many people still choose to ship plants abroad by courier or post since sending indoor or potted plants can be great gift ideas. Make sure your plants are well packed, whether you are shipping a succulent, a cactus or orchids. However, please be aware that when shipping outside the EU, every package (even gifts) must go through customs procedures and the respective taxes may be applied.
The most important thing to consider when transporting plants is the transit time, so make sure the plant can survive the duration of the journey inside the packaging. For that reason, less demanding plants such as cacti or succulents might be good options of plants to ship.
In general, it will not be difficult for you to ship such items by post domestically, even though countries like the USA apply local restrictions for interstate packages sent via postal services. When sending seeds abroad in the mail, you need to check the import regulations and restrictions of the destination country.
Unfortunately, insurance is not applicable to restricted items. Therefore, if you choose to ship seeds or plants abroad, be it succulents, cacti, seedlings or big plants such as fruit trees, you will be doing so at your own risk.
From 1st January 2021, a phytosanitary certificate is required to ship most sorts of plants to Great Britain. Besides this, all the plants should have a physical health check at the destination place. From 1st July 2021, they will be inspected at the customs border control posts.