shipping plants through the mail - Orchid Board

kiki-do · #1 07-03-2008, 07:57 AM

I was wondering if anyone else has ever had a problem shipping orchids through the mail. I went to ship a package the other day using USPS, and was told I couldn't ship plants. I had to convince the postman that orchids are not in soil, etc. I feared I would have to open the package and show him, (took me awhile just to get everything situated in the first place) but he eventually let it go....very reluctantly.
What are the rules about sending plants through the mail within the USA. I could see if the package was being sent to another country, but not the case here.
Even greenhouses send regular houseplants to customers through the mail, right?
Next time, I won't put "fragile, live orchids" on the box.
I didn't know! I only want them to be handled with care.

Pointers anyone?

cb977 · #2 07-03-2008, 08:16 AM

I've never had a problem, and the boxes are always marked "Live Plant". Where were you shipping to? Some states have their own importing regulations. I'm not certain but I think California and Arizona are two of them...I may be wrong...do NOT tell my husband I said that!

Bird Song Farm · #3 07-03-2008, 08:52 AM

Kiki-do, I've never had a problem like that and have shipped a few through the USPS and, of course, receive them all the time marked "Live Orchids", "Handle with Care", "Keep from Heat/Cold", etc.
I *think* it is a decision your local Postmaster makes. I've heard of some of them refusing to ship live plants, not because it is illegal but because of the danger of them dying and an insurance claim being filed. I believe you can't ship to AZ, HI, AL, and I'm not sure about CA.
I'd point out to your Postmaster that as long as the package isn't insured he might want to check the Postal Regulations. LOL Good for you for standing up for yourself!!!

AL

(..._...) · #4 07-03-2008, 09:02 AM

Yeah, thats odd!! I live in Canada, but still, my boxes still ahve huge "FRAGILE, LIVE ORCHIDS" on the side lol.

kiki-do · #5 07-03-2008, 09:13 AM

I was shipping to Florida. It shouldn't have been a problem. Perhaps the Postmaster was having an off day. I just had to check with you all to see if I should have done differently instead of putting "Live Orchids" on the box. It's hard for me to believe in this day and age that some people do not know anything about orchids!!

Thanks everyone for your support!

kiki-do · #6 07-03-2008, 09:15 AM

[QUOTE=cb977;12185...I may be wrong...do NOT tell my husband I said that!

[/QUOTE]

Your secret is safe with me!

Royal · #7 07-03-2008, 09:24 AM

I've never had an issue. But I just mark the box "do not leave in direct sun" and ask the PO person to stamp it perishable.

There are rules in lots of states. AZ is the only one I know to avoid for sure. Most have to do with invasive species like bugs or snails. Just give them enough info to treat it with care. They don't need to know what's in the box!

Grandma M · #8 07-03-2008, 09:29 AM

I had a problem at a branch office. I was told I could only send plants from the MAIN office.

Now I just don't label it as live plants and they go through, no problem.

Marilyn

(..._...) · #9 07-03-2008, 09:32 AM

Yeah.. Im sure "Fragile", and do not leave in sun/ heat, as someone mentioned before, would be adequate. Other than that, they do not need to know they are live plants

Royal · #10 07-03-2008, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandma M

Now I just don't label it as live plants and they go through, no problem.

Marilyn

Smart cookie!

I KNOW that it is not against the rules. I really think it's just that some may be confident enough about the rules to make such a huge decision on their own. (probably because they change things up on them weekly)