How to Import Plants from Indonesia to the USA

Last reviewed: 12 October 2026

Yes, you can buy rare tropical plants from Indonesia and have them shipped to the United States. ORAMICIN, a live plant exporter based in Kediri, East Java, ships Philodendron, Anthurium, Monstera, Syngonium, Aglaonema and other aroids to US collectors with DHL Express. This guide explains the USDA APHIS rules, the PPQ 587 import permit, and exactly what you need to prepare before ordering.

Step-by-step: importing plants from Indonesia to the USA

1. Choose your plants and check that each genus and species is allowed into the US (see “Plants that need extra checks” below).
2. Count your plants. If your order has more than 12 plants, apply for a PPQ 587 permit before ordering.
3. Apply for the permit (if needed) through USDA APHIS eFile. The steps are shown below.
4. Place your order and send us a copy of your permit and, if your permit requires it, the APHIS green-and-yellow shipping label.
5. We prepare the plants: health check, soil removal, root cleaning, bare-root packing, the phytosanitary certificate and export documents.
6. DHL Express ships the box from Indonesia. Permit shipments may be routed to a USDA plant inspection station before delivery.
7. Customs and APHIS clearance happen in the US. You pay any duties, taxes and clearance fees.
8. Unpack and pot your plants as soon as they arrive (see “When your plants arrive”).

What ORAMICIN provides and what the buyer prepares

ORAMICIN provides	Buyer is responsible for
Free phytosanitary certificate for eligible shipments	Checking APHIS import requirements for each plant
Soil removal and bare-root export packing	Applying for a PPQ 587 permit when required
Export documents and DHL invoice	Sending the permit and green-and-yellow label (if required) before shipment
DHL Express shipping with tracking	Customs duties, taxes, brokerage and local fees
Combined shipping for multiple plants	Correct name, address, email and a phone number DHL can reach

US import rules for live plants

1. Phytosanitary certificate

Plants for planting entering the US must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country. For our shipments, this is issued in Indonesia after inspection. ORAMICIN arranges and pays for it on eligible plant orders.

2. No soil

Soil is not allowed on imported plants. We wash the roots and ship the plants bare-root, with clean, new sphagnum moss to keep the roots moist during transit. Please do not ask us to ship plants in pots or soil, because the shipment can be refused at the border.

3. The 12-plant rule and the PPQ 587 permit

Under current APHIS rules, a PPQ 587 permit (“Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products”) is generally required when a shipment contains more than 12 plants. Shipments of 12 plants or fewer may enter without a permit, provided they meet all other requirements and are not prohibited or restricted. The permit is free. Processing time varies, so apply well before you plan to order.

4. Plants that need extra checks

• NAPPRA plants (“Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis”) cannot be imported until APHIS completes a risk assessment.
• CITES-listed plants, such as many orchids, need CITES permits in addition to the phytosanitary certificate. One example is Rhynchostylis gigantea.
• Some genera need post-entry quarantine or come with other permit conditions. Check the conditions printed on your permit.

Most of the aroids we sell are not CITES-listed. If you are unsure about a plant, contact us before ordering and we will help you check.

How to apply for a PPQ 587 permit in APHIS eFile

US permits are applied for online through USDA APHIS eFile. The screens may change over time. The steps below show the process as it looked when we last went through it.

1. Go to efile.aphis.usda.gov and choose Sign Up.
   
2. Choose PPQ 587 and click Get Started.
   
3. Choose Customer. If you do not have an account yet, choose Create Account.
   
   
4. Enter your details and create the account.
   
5. Confirm your email address with the link USDA sends you, then set your password.
   
   
6. Set up two-step authentication with an authenticator app.
7. Verify your identity online. You will be asked for your address, phone number, date of birth and Social Security number. If online verification fails, you can verify in person at a USDA office with a government-issued photo ID.
8. Log in and complete the PPQ 587 application with your details and the plants you want to import (genus and species, quantity, country of origin: Indonesia).
   
   

Prefer video? Watch our walkthrough:

What to send ORAMICIN after you order

1. A copy of your PPQ 587 permit, if your shipment needs one.
2. The APHIS green-and-yellow shipping label (PPQ 508), if your permit requires it. We print it in colour and attach it to the outside of the box.
3. Your full name, shipping address, email and a phone number DHL can reach.

More about labels: USDA APHIS: Shipping requirements for green and yellow (PPQ 508) labels.

Shipping time and cost to the USA

• Transit: DHL Express, usually 5–6 days to the US after the plants and documents are ready.
• Shipping cost: $30 flat rate for orders under $300, $60 for orders of $300–$499, and free for orders of $500 or more.
• Combined shipping: one box, one phytosanitary certificate, one shipping fee for multiple plants.
• Duties and taxes: not included in our prices; paid by the buyer if charged.

When your plants arrive

• Unpack the box as soon as possible and check the roots, stems and leaves.
• Pot the plant in a chunky, well-draining mix (bark, perlite and coco or peat) and water lightly.
• Keep it in bright, indirect light with high humidity for the first 2–3 weeks. Avoid direct sun and fertiliser at first.
• Some yellowing or a dropped leaf is normal shipping stress.
• If a plant arrives dead or badly damaged, contact us within 24 hours with photos of the plant, roots, box and label.

Frequently asked questions

Can I buy plants from Indonesia and ship them to the US?

Yes. Live plants can be legally imported into the US when they have a phytosanitary certificate, are free of soil, and meet APHIS requirements. ORAMICIN ships live plants from Indonesia to US buyers with DHL Express.

Do I need a permit to import 12 plants or fewer?

Generally no, as long as the plants are not prohibited, NAPPRA-listed or CITES-listed and arrive with a phytosanitary certificate. For more than 12 plants in one shipment, a PPQ 587 permit is generally required.

How much does a PPQ 587 permit cost?

APHIS does not charge a fee for the PPQ 587 permit.

Can plants be shipped to the US in soil?

No. Soil is not allowed. Plants are shipped bare-root with clean sphagnum moss.

Does ORAMICIN provide the phytosanitary certificate?

Yes, free of charge for eligible live plant shipments.

Who pays customs duties and taxes?

The buyer pays any duties, taxes, brokerage and clearance fees.

What happens if my shipment is held by customs or APHIS?

Shipments that do not meet US requirements can be refused, treated or destroyed by the authorities. That is why we ask you to check the rules and send your permit before we ship.

More information: Shipping information · Export & international shipping FAQ · Importing plants to the UK

Official US resources

• USDA APHIS: Plant imports
• USDA APHIS eFile: apply for permits
• US Fish & Wildlife Service: CITES permits

This guide is general information, not legal or customs advice. US import requirements can change. Always confirm the current rules with USDA APHIS before importing.