[b:c006d00f7e]IMPORTING BONSAI FROM JAPAN (Part 1/3)[/b:c006d00f7e]
Japan is the cultural center for classical bonsai. *You can find great examples in other regions of the Asia, including great tropical bonsai in Taiwan and India, but the Japanese have codified and classified bonsai, defining basic styles and developing techniques that have raised the art form to a new level.
If you are interested in importing bonsai from Japan to the United States there are a few things you should know up front. * *These tips are intended to help you, not discourage you.
The new airline restrictions in the wake of the events of September 11th may make this information a little out-of-date. *You should contact your airline for information concerning baggage, particularly oversize.[*]Plan your trip to coincide with the best repotting season to increase your rate of survival. *November and February are good months for the California climate.[*]Prior to embarking on your trip, you should contact APHIS to obtain a
plant importation permit. *(see selected bibliography for links in part 3 of this article)* The permit will list a good variety of plants that cannot be imported to the US, some with special restrictions and some are acceptable. *Your state may have additional importation limitations or requirements.[*]Trees imported to the US must be free of soil. * A grower knowledgeable in importation requirements will know what to do, but the process generally consists of raking soil from the roots followed by a jet wash with a high-pressure water hose. *There is probably nothing worse for a tree (conifers in specific) than to be stripped entirely of soil, but this is a requirement. *Next the roots are wrapped in damp sphagnum moss, placed on a polyethelene wrapper and tied with a neat criss crossing of twine. *They trees are then packaged in sturdy cartons that have been impregnated with a light wax laminate. *Extra packing material is rarely used as many of the growers have raised to an art form the placement of trees in containers.[*]As a practical consideration, it is most cost-effective that deciduous trees be brought in as developed stumps with perhaps just a few major branches developed. *It's possible to bring in very developed, ramified trees, but unless they are shohin, they are going to take a great deal more space.[*]The next step is a visit to the local plant protection agency. *I am familiar with PPA sites in the vicinity of Toyohashi and Kinashi-Cho in the area of the inland sea. *I also understand that there is an inspection station at the Tokyo's airport, although I have not visited it. *The PPA will require a copy of the import permit and after inspecting the plants thoroughly, will issue a document called a phytosanitary certificate. *This is no guarantee that the tree will be accepted by US Customs and Agriculture, but it is a requirement of APHIS. *Without the certificate your trees are in danger of being destroyed upon entry, particularly if you have not taken the necessary steps.[*] After issuing the certificate, the PPA will stamp and seal the carton. * The flight to the US is relatively short event in a plant's life. *Some growers indicate that they successfully transport plants to Korea and Taiwan by ship under the same conditions and on Journeys that can last a couple weeks.[*]When checking the trees at the airport, do indicate that they are live plants and *request that they be treated accordingly.[*]On board, you will need to complete a US Customs declaration indicating that you are bringing in plants.
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