Has anyone here actually imported bonsai into the U.S. from abroad — legally?

[opus1]

Hi everyone,

I'm planning to move to the States, and I'm trying to figure out how to bring some of my bonsai trees with me.

These are trees I've cared for over the years, and I really don't want to leave them behind. I'm looking into the legal process of importing them myself.

At the same time, I’ve noticed that high-quality bonsai and raw material are often more affordable in Korea than in the States, and I wonder if there might be broader opportunities for connecting supply and demand in a responsible way.


From what I’ve searched so far:

• The trees need to be grown in a registered export nursery in Korea for at least two years under inspection.
• After arriving in the U.S., they must go through post-entry quarantine (PEQ) in a USDA-approved facility for another 2–3 years.

This is where things get tricky:

• I'm concerned about how the trees would be properly maintained during the U.S. quarantine period.
• And I haven't been able to find much reliable information about the costs of using (or setting up) a PEQ facility.

If anyone here has actually gone through the process of importing bonsai into the United States, I’d really appreciate any insights you can share, especially about:

• The step-by-step process you followed
• How you managed tree care during quarantine
• Any costs, paperwork, or pitfalls I should be aware of

I’d be truly grateful for any advice. Thanks in advance!

 

[penumbra]

Sounds like a nightmare to me.

 

[opus1]

Sounds like a nightmare to me.

Yeah — it really does sound like a nightmare.

But I’m still curious whether it’s just really hard or actually close to impossible.

So I’m wondering if anyone has actually been through the process.

It would be super helpful to know if anyone has managed to import bonsai legally and what the process was actually like.

 

[The Barber]

I would reach out to a company that imports trees like Brussels and see what info they could provide. I can't remember which ones have quarantine setups.

 

[rockm]

Yeah — it really does sound like a nightmare.

But I’m still curious whether it’s just really hard or actually close to impossible.

So I’m wondering if anyone has actually been through the process.

It would be super helpful to know if anyone has managed to import bonsai legally and what the process was actually like.

The quarrantine period can be fulfilled at facilities inthe country of origin. That means you could find such a facility in Korea. There are probably plant exporters who have facilities. Asking quality local bonsai nurseries About those could help you locate them.

However once the quarantine period is fulfilled and the trees are shipped to US they could face barerooting and fumigation. I think this can depend on species though

The Animal Plant Health Service (APHIS) part of the US Dept of Agriculture and is responsible for plant inspections and regulations. Worth getting in contact with them and ask

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/

 

[Canada Bonsai]

I’d be truly grateful for any advice

I export thousands of trees every year to the USA, many of which can be of japanese origin when the appropriate procedures are followed

There's a lot of nonsense that circulates online regarding regulations and requirements including in this thread. There are very few no general rules that apply to all species and circumstances across the board. The regulations and requirements vary from state to state, from species to species, and the country of origin and transit route matter too. The regulations are also constantly subject to change, and are usually driven by decisions made by committee (meaning they can change more easily/quickly/often than laws)

I'm planning to move to the States

The ONLY place to get reliable information is from the USDA, and the first thing they will want to know is which state you're moving to. There is literally no information whatsoever that can be given to you until they know which state the plants will be going to. They will also want to know when you are moving. If you are planning to move in March 2026, for example, I would call ASAP to get information, but I would call again in November to make sure that information has not changed. I'm speaking from experience.