You must obtain, complete and submit an application to import plant material before importing any plants, seeds, bulbs, tubers, rhizomes or cuttings. Use this application for all plant material except for flowers, fruit, mushroom spawn and wood.

Read more about importing seeds to Bermuda.

How to import plant material to Bermuda

To import plant materials to Bermuda, you’ll need to have:

• A supplier in an approved jurisdiction who can provide you with plants that are in compliance with the entry requirements for Bermuda
• A completed application form listing:
  • The quantity of each plant sought
  • The name and address of the supplier
  • Your name, address and contact information
• A plant nursery that can obtain a Nematode Certification, which is required for all rooted plants
• A plant nursery that can obtain a Virus Certification—contact the Plant Protection Laboratory to determine whether the plants you want to import require virus testing
• A plant nursery that can obtain other plant disease certifications as required

The Plant Protection Laboratory will assess the application to ensure all documentation has been provided. Applications which are complete will be processed within five business days. Same day permits have an expected completion within 24 hours. Applications containing plant material which have never been imported will take longer to process.

Applications to import plants may be delayed if all the necessary documentation is not provided. Applications to import plants will be denied if the plant material is invasive or prohibited entry as per legislative or quarantine concerns.

What to do when plants arrive in Bermuda

Upon arrival into Bermuda all plant shipments must be collected from the Customs Department at the airport freight shed and transported directly to the Plant Protection Laboratory (PPL) for inspection. It is the responsibility of the importer to have the plants delivered to the PPL as well as the accompanying phytosanitary certificate.

The applicant can either transport the plant shipment in person or hire a freight delivery company to do so. If the applicant is making the delivery of the plant shipment from the Freight Shed, he or she will have to first apply for, and obtain a 

 from the PPL.

After the shipment is inspected, the PPL will contact the applicant to inform them of the status of their plants. Depending on the condition of the incoming plants, the importer will be notified as to whether the plants have passed inspection.

Possible outcomes of the inspection are:

1. The plant shipment has arrived without the original phytosanitary certificate. The shipment will be detained pending arrival of the necessary documentation.
2. The plants pass the inspection and are released.
3. The plants do not pass the inspection and require chemical treatment. A treatment will be recommended. If the treatment requires use of pesticide(s), it is the responsibility of the importer to purchase the pesticide(s) and to apply the chemical treatment.
4. The plants do not pass inspection and are confiscated and destroyed.

Fees

Fees for import permits for bringing plants to Bermuda:

• 1-10 genera: $35
• 11-20 genera: $55
• 20+ genera: $75
• Same day service—only applicable to permits for up to 10 genera: $75

Commercial farmers are exempt from fees to import plants and/or food crops

Inspection fees:

• 1 box equivalent to less than 300 bedding/nursery plants/or 500 cuttings/or 100 orchids: $26 per box
• Testing of incoming materials at time of entry as required: $100
• Re-inspection of infested shipment after treatment as required: $50
• Disposal fee of contaminated plants and/or packaging: $50