How to import your precious potted plants from South Africa, like Bonsai’s and Orchids for example
It is quite a process and may actually not be worth it.
Firstly, depending on the species of plant, they may not grow in the Irish climate.
Bonsai are best outdoors long term, so be sure to get advice on growing these in Ireland and what special treatments or care they may require here:
Bonsai
Bonsai’s
If you are still wanting to bring them over, you need to get a phytosanitery permit from both South Africa and Ireland here:
National Plant Protection SA
Someone will come to your residence and inspect your trees for pests and diseases and if they pick up anything, they will usually prescribe treatment, then its another inspection and fee. Please note, at all times, the plants need to be bare root with absolutely no sign of soil on their roots and that will stress the trees.
Once you are approved SA side, you need to contact someone over here in Ireland in the Department of Agriculture to apply for a import phyto permit here:
Agriculture.gov.ie
You can only do that once you have the all clear from SA. That may take time and further stress the trees as they still have to be kept bare root. Once you are approved, you can send, again bare root. On top of that, if the trees are on any CITES lists, you need to apply for a CITES permit to verify that the plants were grown sustainably and not poached from the wild. How you prove that without receipts, I’m not sure? Here:
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits
I exported my orchid collection in 2016 to an EU country to join me later in Ireland and the import laws are much the same. It can be done, but bare in mind the variables and the fact the trees may not survive in the long run.
Irish Revenue Cutoms and Imports
