plant import permits freak me out

[merc]

i've been agonizing over how much i am missing out. <insert dramatic pause> i bit the bullet and got my PPQ-587 + PPQ-621. it wasn't hard at all! thank you to all that chimed in to reassure me that it wasn't as scary as i originally perceived.

 

[Ray]

It's interesting that 621 refers to terrestrial plants. What are you considering importing?

 

[merc]

It's interesting that 621 refers to terrestrial plants. What are you considering importing?

Hi Ray! I am trying to acquire paph divisions from Hadley Cash's collection. A rep from Koopmans Orchids instructed me to get PPQ-587 (plant import permit) + PPQ-621 (protected plant import permit).

 

[gonewild]

It's interesting that 621 refers to terrestrial plants. What are you considering importing?

Terrestrial meaning non aquatic.

 

[merc]

Is it normal for DHL to ask for my SSN as part of the import process? Seems a little invasive and unnecessary if they already have all the required import and CITES permits, no?

 

[mSummers]

Is it normal for DHL to ask for my SSN as part of the import process? Seems a little invasive and unnecessary if they already have all the required import and CITES permits, no?

DHL did not ask for my SSN. Sounds phishy to me.

 

[gonewild]

It's normal. Importing requires your tax id in case there is duty (tax) determined to be due on the value.

 

[merc]

I asked DHL to explain what is going on and why SSN was necessary and this was their reply:

Please note that this is asked by US customs directly and not DHL and it is done for security reasons. A denied party is a person or company that has been denied import/export privileges by the United Nations, US Federal Government, or other government agencies. 

This may be due to various reasons, including violation of international trade regulations and/or suspicion of connection with terrorist organizations. So they have to make sure you are not the person on the list

According to the system, the information requested for customs clearance has been provided and forwarded to import agents for review and customs entry. No further actions are required at this time from the customer. DHL will contact you if any other action is needed.
The process might take about 3-5 business days approximately, however, it can take longer.

No mention of taxes or import duty just "maybe you're a terrorist". LOL! I provided all the information they had requested. Slightly hilarious since I was freaking out about obtaining import permits in the first place. Hopefully, the plants don’t die during this delay.

 

[Ray]

At one point of my career, I led the global logistics effort for a $500-million chemical company - a small division of Total Energies.

One of our sister companies intentionally used incorrect HTS (harmonized tariff system) codes on some raw materials imports to avoid high duties, “to remain competitive “. When I discovered that, I immediately went to our lawyers who “self reported” to the Feds. A “fortunate” factor was that the person who had initiated that practice had passed away. A moderate fine later and they were good to go - but probably under a closer watchful eye than before.

Had the company been caught by the authorities, that “denied party” status might very well have been applied, terminating all import and export activities of the company, putting it out of business.

 

[Roots]

Is it normal for DHL to ask for my SSN as part of the import process? Seems a little invasive and unnecessary if they already have all the required import and CITES permits, no?

I, too, am waiting for a shipment from Koopman, after working up the courage to apply for permits. Thanks for posting this. I probably would have refused to give my ssn and not gotten my plants.