CITES

ORCHID IMPORT AND EXPORT PHYTOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS

The Convention for the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) regulates the trade in plants and animals in countries that are signatories to the Convention. South Africa is one of the signatories.
All orchids are part of the Appendix II listing under Cites with a few listed under Appendix I
All South African indigenous orchids are currently listed under Appendix II

PROCEEDURE FOR THE IMPORTATION OF ORCHID SPECIES.

1. Obtain an Import Permit from Dept. of Agriculture, Forestry & Fisheries.
2. Decide what species you wish to import and from whom.
3. Send your Import Permit to the Exporter
4. With this permit and the list of species you require the Exporter must obtain a Cites Export Permit and send it to the Importer.
5. The Importer must then fill in a Cites Application Form listing the names of the plants required.

Note that every province has its own rules
Gauteng requires R250.00 per permit which has only 4 lines ie you may only import 4 different species (you may import 10 or 100 of the same species but only 4 different types)
If you wish to import more you need to fill in another form and pay another R250.00.
Another province will not limit the number of different types of species.

6. This Cites application form together with your Cites Export Permit and you South African Import permit and your money is then submitted.
7. This whole procedure takes a LONG TIME and therefore you need to start the procedure well in advance to your requiring the plants.
8. Please also note that the Exporter has to supply a Phytosanitary Certificate as well when shipping the plants.
9. Hybrids of plants do not require a Cites Certificate but still need an Import Permit and a Phytosanitary Certificate
10. Flasks also do not require a Cites Permit or a Phytosanitary Certificate but still require an Import Permit.
11. Most important of all is that one needs to be registered with SARS as an importer.