Shipping Succulents Internationally — What You Need to Know
Phytosanitary Certificates, Import Permits, and everything you need to receive your succulents legally and safely, wherever in the world you are outside the EU.
At Surreal Succulents, we are proud to ship our hand-grown plants to customers all over the world. We can send plants to any country outside the EU, and every order travels bare root with a Phytosanitary Certificate that we arrange and pay for at our end. The United States, Canada, and Japan are our most frequent destinations and each has its own section below, but they are not the limit of where we can ship. If your country is not named on this page, please still get in touch.
Sending live plants across international borders is a carefully regulated process, one that protects global plant health and ensures your succulents arrive in perfect condition and fully compliant with the laws of your country.
This guide explains everything you need to know: what a Phytosanitary Certificate is, whether you need an Import Permit, what is happening with the EU, and the simple steps to take when you order. Getting this right means no delays at customs and no disappointment at the door.
What Is a Phytosanitary Certificate?
A Phytosanitary Certificate (often called a 'Phyto' or 'PC') is an official government document issued by the plant health authority of the exporting country — in our case, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) here in the United Kingdom. It certifies that the plants in your shipment have been inspected, are free from pests and diseases, and meet the import requirements of your country.
Think of it as a health passport for your plants. Without one, live plant material simply cannot be legally imported into most countries. We arrange this on your behalf as part of the export process, so you never need to worry about the paperwork on our end — but understanding what it is will help you know what to expect, and what you may need to arrange before your order is dispatched.
At a Glance: Requirements by Country
We can export to any country outside the EU, and every international order travels with a Phytosanitary Certificate arranged through the APHA here in the UK. What changes from one country to the next is whether you need an Import Permit at your end, and that is the part worth checking before you order. Here is a quick summary before we go into the detail.
United States: A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for all orders. Orders of 13 plants or more also require a valid USDA Import Permit, which must be obtained by the customer prior to dispatch.
Canada: A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for all orders. All customers must also hold a valid Canadian Import Permit regardless of order size.
Japan: A Phytosanitary Certificate is required for all orders. No Import Permit is needed.
Everywhere else outside the EU: A Phytosanitary Certificate is required, and your country may or may not also ask you for an Import Permit. Email us with the country you are in and we will check the current rules for you.
The EU: We are not able to ship into the EU at the moment, though that is expected to change. There is a full section on this below.
In all cases, we take care of the Phytosanitary Certificate from our end. Your responsibility, where applicable, is to have your Import Permit ready and to share the permit number with us, either in your order notes at checkout or by email once you have ordered.
Shipping to the United States
All orders shipped to the United States are accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate, which we arrange through the APHA here in the UK. This document travels with your parcel and is inspected by US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) upon entry.
Do I need an Import Permit?
If your order contains 12 plants or fewer, no Import Permit is required — your Phytosanitary Certificate is sufficient for customs clearance. However, if your order is for 13 or more plants, US regulations require you to hold a valid USDA Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products. This permit must be in place before we can dispatch your order, and we will need your permit number to include on the export documentation.
How to apply for a USDA Import Permit:
Applications are submitted online through the USDA APHIS Permits portal at epermits.aphis.usda.gov. You will need to create an account, select the appropriate permit type for plants and plant products, and provide details about the species you intend to import. Processing times can vary, so we recommend applying as early as possible — ideally several weeks before you intend to place your order. Once approved, permits are typically valid for a set period and can cover multiple shipments, so it is worth applying even if you are planning future orders with us.
If you are unsure whether your order quantity will require a permit, get in touch at any point and we will be happy to advise.
Shipping to Canada
Canada has some of the most thorough plant biosecurity requirements in the world, and we fully support that commitment to protecting its incredible natural environment. As with all our international exports, a Phytosanitary Certificate will accompany every order shipped to Canada — this is non-negotiable regardless of order size.
Import Permits are required for all Canadian orders.
Unlike the United States, there is no minimum plant quantity threshold in Canada. Every customer ordering live plants from overseas must hold a valid Import Permit issued by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) before we can dispatch their order. This applies whether you are ordering a single plant or a full collection.
How to apply for a CFIA Import Permit:
Applications are made through the CFIA's My CFIA online platform at mycfia.inspection.gc.ca. You will need to register for an account, then apply for an import permit for plants and plant products. Ensure you select the correct commodity type — succulent plants for ornamental use — and provide accurate details about species and country of origin (United Kingdom). Processing times vary, so please allow ample time ahead of your intended order date. Once your permit is approved, share the permit number with us, either in your order notes at checkout or by email once you have ordered, as this must be referenced on our export documentation.
We know this adds an extra step, but it is a straightforward process and our team is always happy to help guide you through it if you have any questions.
Shipping to Japan
Japan is a wonderful destination for plant enthusiasts, and the country has a deep appreciation for the beauty of succulents. Sending plants to Japan does require a Phytosanitary Certificate on every order, which we arrange as standard — your plants will be inspected and certified before they leave our nursery in Cornwall.
No Import Permit is required for Japan.
This makes ordering from Japan our most straightforward international export in terms of customer paperwork. Once your Phytosanitary Certificate is in place (handled by us), your shipment is cleared to enter Japan through the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) plant quarantine process at the port of entry. Your plants may undergo a brief quarantine inspection upon arrival — this is completely normal and nothing to be concerned about.
Simply place your order as normal, and we will handle the rest. If you have any questions specific to importing plants into Japan, we recommend contacting MAFF or your local plant quarantine station for the most up-to-date guidance.
Shipping Everywhere Else
The United States, Canada, and Japan get their own sections because they are where most of our international orders go. They are not the only places we can send plants. If you live outside the EU and you would like Surreal Succulents plants, the answer is almost always yes.
We can send plants to any country outside the EU with a Phytosanitary Certificate.
The process is the same wherever you are in the world. Your plants are lifted, cleaned, inspected, and certified by the APHA before they leave our nursery in Cornwall, and they travel bare root with a Phytosanitary Certificate that we arrange and pay for at our end. The only thing that varies is what your own country asks of you, which is usually either nothing at all or an Import Permit issued by your national plant health authority.
Email us at info@surrealsucculents.co.uk with the country you are in and a rough idea of what you would like, and we will confirm the current import requirements for you and send a full shipping quote before you commit to anything.
Shipping to the EU: What Is Changing
The EU is the question we are asked most often, and at the moment the answer is still no. Since Brexit, Great Britain has been treated as a third country for plant health purposes, and the rules on bringing live plants from Great Britain into the EU make it unworkable for a nursery of our size to send them across.
That is expected to change.
The UK and the EU are negotiating a new Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement, usually shortened to the SPS agreement. It would bring Great Britain into a common SPS zone with the EU, removing the need for Phytosanitary Certificates and border checks on plants moving between the two. In practical terms, once it is in place we would be able to send plants to EU customers exactly as we send them within the UK. No certificate, no import permit, no customs paperwork at your end, and you would order in the same way a UK customer does.
The agreement is currently targeted for around the middle of 2027. It is still being negotiated and nothing has been confirmed, so we cannot promise a date and we would rather not guess at one for you.
What we can promise is that you will hear about it the moment it happens. Sign up to our newsletter at surrealsucculents.co.uk/pages/sign-up and we will announce it there as soon as we are able to start taking EU orders.
"Every plant we send internationally is hand-inspected, carefully packed, and accompanied by full certification. We grow them in Cornwall — your job is simply to make sure the paperwork is in order at your end."
How the Process Works — Step by Step
We want the process of ordering internationally to be as smooth as possible. Here is a clear overview of what to expect from start to finish.
Step 1 — Check your requirements. Use the country sections above to confirm whether you need an Import Permit before ordering. If you are in Canada, or in the US and ordering 13 or more plants, you will need one. Japan customers and small US orders can skip straight to Step 3. If you are anywhere else outside the EU, you are welcome to email us with your country and we will check the current rules for you.
Step 2 — Apply for your Import Permit. Head to the relevant government portal (USDA APHIS ePermits for the US, My CFIA for Canada, or your own national plant health authority if you are elsewhere) and submit your application. Make a note of your permit number once approved — you will need to share this with us. This step can take several weeks, so plan ahead.
Step 3 — Place your order. Order through the website exactly as any other customer would. There is no need to email us first. If a permit is required, put the number in the order notes at checkout, or send it to info@surrealsucculents.co.uk once you have ordered and we will match it to your order.
Step 4 — We prepare and dispatch. We arrange the Phytosanitary Certificate with the APHA, carefully pack your plants bare root, and send your order with full documentation. International orders go out in batches around our inspection dates, so please allow up to 3 months for dispatch. Faster options are available at checkout.
Step 5 — Track your shipment and prepare for arrival. We will send tracking information once your order is on its way. Your plants may pass through a customs or quarantine inspection at the point of entry — this is a routine part of the process and is why the correct documentation matters so much. Once cleared, your plants will be on their way to you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Phytosanitary Certificate cost extra?
Yes, there is an additional fee for the Phytosanitary Certificate as this is arranged through the APHA and involves a formal inspection of your plants. This cost is included in the shipping charged at checkout on international orders, so there is nothing separate to pay and no need to contact us for a quote before you order.
How long does the USDA Import Permit take to process?
Processing times vary but applications can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on the time of year and current demand. We strongly recommend applying well in advance. Once approved, your permit is typically valid for several years and covers multiple shipments.
How long does the Canadian CFIA Import Permit take?
Again, this can vary. The My CFIA system is well-organised and most standard applications for ornamental plants are processed within a few weeks. Apply early, and get in touch with us once your permit has been approved.
What happens if my shipment is held at customs?
Correct documentation greatly reduces the likelihood of delays. Providing we have shipped with a valid Phytosanitary Certificate and — where required — your Import Permit number is correctly referenced, your order should clear customs without issue. In the unlikely event of any problem, we will work with you to resolve it.
Can I order from any other countries?
Yes. We can send plants to any country outside the EU, not just the three covered in detail on this page. The Phytosanitary Certificate works the same way wherever you are, and the only thing that changes is whether your country asks you for an Import Permit. Get in touch and tell us where you are, and we will confirm what is needed and quote you for shipping.
When will you be able to ship to the EU again?
We cannot give you a date yet. A new Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement between the UK and the EU is expected to remove Phytosanitary Certificates and border checks on plants moving from Great Britain into the EU, and it is currently targeted for around the middle of 2027. It is still in negotiation, so nothing is confirmed. Sign up to our newsletter and we will announce it as soon as we can start taking EU orders.
Get in touch
We hope this page has made international ordering feel a little less daunting. We are incredibly proud to be sending our Cornish-grown succulents to plant lovers across the world, and we want the experience to be just as enjoyable as receiving the plants themselves.
If you have any further questions about international shipping, Import Permits, or anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch at info@surrealsucculents.co.uk — we are always happy to help.
For advice on growing and caring for your succulents once they arrive, explore our full range of Plant Care & Advice guides. We add new content all the time, so consider subscribing to our mailing list so you never miss an update.
