Pack and ship live plants
Bare-root packing, protecting leaves, and the paperwork cross-border parcels need.
Check and photograph the plant
Check the leaves, stem and roots for pests and rot before you pack. Then photograph the plant from the top, the underside of the leaves, and the roots. Keep these photos until the order is completed.
Prepare the roots
- For international orders, wash off all soil and growing media. Most countries reject plants with soil.
- Wrap the roots in damp (not wet) sphagnum moss.
- Wrap the moss in plastic film so it stays moist.
Protect the leaves
- Roll a paper sleeve around the leaves so they cannot bend or rub.
- Tape the plant to the box or a card so it cannot move.
- Write the order ID on the wrap.
Box it up
- Use a rigid box and fill the gaps with paper so nothing shifts.
- Add a heat pack only for cold routes. Leave it out for tropical routes.
- Mark the box Live Plants and This Side Up.
- Photograph the sealed box with the label showing.
Paperwork for international orders
Most countries require a phytosanitary certificate for imported live plants. Get it from your national plant protection agency before you ship:
- Indonesia: Badan Karantina Indonesia (Barantin)
- Thailand: Department of Agriculture (DOA)
- Singapore: National Parks Board (NParks)
Species listed under CITES also need a CITES export permit. Put one copy of each document inside the box and one in a document pouch on the outside.
For more detail, read Phytosanitary certificates explained.
Drop off and track
Ship early in the week so the parcel does not sit in a depot over the weekend. Then add the tracking number within 24 hours.