International Shipment Information that you need to know as buyer

What incoterms that it uses for international transaction?

All transactions at Exotropical Aroid use FCA (Free Carrier) incoterms which means we as seller/ shipper are responsible to supply all the export documents needed to successfully expedite import into the country and destination in that country as well as load/ deliver the package to the shipping carrier. 

What’s the shipping regulations in my country?

Before ordering, make sure the buyer understands in advance the terms and conditions of importing plants in your respective countries. Buyers are responsible to understand whether the plants are forbidden or not in their country as well as understand the import requirement (incl. import duties and custom fees) in their country.  Here’s some shipping regulations that we can share to all buyers at Exotropical Aroid:

Shipping to Hongkong

Order in any amounts requires an Import Permit from AFCD. Please send your import permit to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com

For further information please check: https://www.afcd.gov.hk/english

Shipping to Japan

There’s limitations and prohibitions on importing live plants from Indonesia to Japan.  

For further information please check: http://www.pps.go.jp/english/

Shipping to South Korea

There’s limitations and prohibitions on importing live plants from Indonesia to Japan.  

For further information please check: http://www.qia.go.kr/plant/imQua/plant_no_imp.jsp

Shipping to Singapore

Order over 3 plants requires an Import Permit from NParks. Please send your import permit to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com if your order fits the criteria. 

For further information please check: https://www.nparks.gov.sg/services/plant-health-services/bringing-plants-and-plant-products-into-singapore

Shipping to United States of America (USA)

Order in any amounts quantity (even 12 plants or less) requires Import Permit from USDA. Please send your import permit and USDA shipping label to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com if your order fits the criteria.

For USA customer, our shipping cost is only applicable to the chosen Plant Inspection Station (PIS) address according to the import permit's instruction.

Once the inspection process is completed, the PIS officer will contact you for delivery instruction of your package. There's 2 options delivery that PIS will offer: Self collection at the PIS OR make your own arrangement with shipping provider for shipment from PIS to your final address. You must send the US domestic airwaybill to the PIS if you choose the second option (please send us the instruction for this).

For delivery cost from PIS to final consignee address will be borned by consignee itself since domestic airwaybill must be attached inside the package (this cost is exclusive our shop's shipping cost).

For further information please check:

https://acir.aphis.usda.gov/s/

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information

Shipping to Canada

Order in any amounts quantity requires an Import Permit from CFIA. Please send your import permit to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com

For further information please check: https://www.inspection.gc.ca/plant-health/plant-pests-invasive-species/directives/horticulture/d-08-04/eng/1323752901318/1378910413423

Shipping to United Kingdom (UK)

Each buyer must already have a PEACH (Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates) NUMBER / import permit from The Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate Government of the United Kingdom. Please send your Peach Number to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com in pdf form so we will include it in the shipping box.

There is no minimum order limit, any order must be accompanied by a PEACH NUMBER / import permit.

Imported Plants may be inspected by UK authorities upon arrival please contact ukdefra@dhl.com prior to shipment

For further information please check: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/eu-exit-guidance/imports/

Shipping to European Countries (EU)

The regulation depends on the specific destination countries and regulations will vary on each country. 

Netherlands: Consignee must be under a company, not an individual

Shipping to United Arab Emirates/Qatar/Saudi Arabia

Order in any amounts requires an Import Permit in English version. Please send your import permit in pdf form to our email address at support@exotropicalaroid.com.

For other countries regulations: 

Please check your local Ministry of Agriculture for the regulations as well as the import documents requirements.

Who will be responsible for the import duties, taxes and custom fees?

Exotropical Aroid is not responsible for any customs and taxes applied to your order. All fees imposed during or after shipping are the responsibility of the buyer (tariffs, taxes, etc.).

There are legal regulations regarding the minimum $25 import duties charges for some states and countries. In the regulation, it’s stated that if the package is not immediately collected or the tax is not being paid, there will be an additional import duties value. Unpaid import duties will cause the package to be detained by custom, not delivered to the final destination and returned to the shipper. So, please pay the import duties immediately to avoid any risks to the condition of the plants inside the package. These import duties and prolonged custom clearance process due to unpaid duties are beyond the seller's responsibility and import duties are borned by the buyer. 

What shipment details do I need to provide?

Buyer must inform us of the active phone number and email address for shipping carrier information. We are not liable for any loss/ damage caused by buyers who can’t be contacted by the shipping carrier.

What’s the risks from purchasing live plants internationally?

a. The plant's condition at the time it arrives might not be in its best condition due to prolonged shipping durations, you will need to have knowledge and experience to take care of the plants. Please check our section about: how to take care of plants from international shipment for basic guidance.

b. Prolong shipment durations can be caused by bad weather (heat wave, force majeure, cold damage), custom decision (prohibited, detained, confiscated, destroyed, returned to shipper) or shipping process (handling, treatment, custom clearance process and length of time of release) which are beyond our control as seller. Seller is not responsible for any damages or loss of the package.

Do I need an import permit?

Some countries require Import Permit or other documents and It is the buyer obligation to provide the required Import Permit based on the destination country regulation. Please kindly check the updated destination country’s regulation before purchase or importing. For examples:

• Buyer from USA and Canada are required to provide Import Permit for any number of plants in one order.

• Buyer from the United Kingdom are required to provide PEACH (Procedure for Electronic Application for Certificates) from The Horticultural Marketing Inspectorate Government of the United Kingdom.

Buyer MUST send the import permit (if it’s required by destination country regulation) to support@exotropicalaroid.com. This document will be used as an attachment while applying for a phytosanitary certificate (import permit requirement is varied depending on customs regulation at the destination country). If you are unable to send the import permit (if it's required) in 2 weeks time since your purchase date, 15% cancellation fee will be applied.

How long will it take to receive the order?

Step 1: Obtain the export permit -  approximately 1-2 business weeks

Step 2: Laboratory examination and Obtain Phytosanitary Certificate - 1-3 business days

Step 3: Shipping time - 2-7 business days to the destination address

If there will be a significant delay in shipment of your order, we will contact you via email or phone number.

If I am a regular buyer, can the processing time be faster?

Yes, it can. It will only take 3 business days to ship the order.

Here’s the explanation:

The export permit is under the quantity quota, so if you have the purchase’s quantity planned at Exotropical Aroid, you can inform us at the time you make the order. We can help you to get the export permit with the desired quantity quota at once and the validity of the export permit is in 6 months. Thus, for the second order, this method will eliminate the processing time to obtain the second export permit and we can ship your plants in 3 business days.

Are there any additional costs for a Phytosanitary Certificate?

We provide a FREE Phytosanitary Certificate for all plants purchased at Exotropical Aroid. 

However, there will be additional laboratory examination charges for selected countries which require additional tests using PCR method to meet the destination country regulation (i.e Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Chile) that are not covered. We will contact you for confirmation about these additional charges if your destination country requires the mandatory requirement for the specific laboratory test including the prices. 

Any other questions?

You can contact us through our contact page. We will be happy to assist you.