borneo...and back

[gaston]

Hello

I should go and work near Bintulu, Borneo for couple of months and would like to bring back seeds to my nursery in Panama.
I don't know yet my flights plans but in case i do have to transit in USA on the way back,do I have to get permits
for the seeds in transit ?
Any input will be helpfull 

Thanks

Francois

[marklee]

 If you have to go through customs with the plant material you would need a permit for the seeds. So depending on your layover, and if you can check your bags all the way through to Panama from Borneo. I would put your seeds in the checked bags not with your carry on bags.

[luc]

Gaston , If you have to go trough the US even to change planes ( try to avoid it ) as a European you will also need a pre approved permit now , you can get it online cost about 70 dollars . I had to pay this for a 2 hour overlay changing planes .

[gaston]

thanks Luc,
as I don't choose my trip,company does, I don't have choice.

Where do you ask online for such pre-approved permit.
Does it also apply for checked bags or is it only for carry on ones.
I plan to have seeds in my checked luggages.
thanks

[fruitlovers]

thanks Luc,
as I don't choose my trip,company does, I don't have choice.

Where do you ask online for such pre-approved permit.
Does it also apply for checked bags or is it only for carry on ones.
I plan to have seeds in my checked luggages.
thanks

I agree with Marklee. If you are a transit passenger, not leaving airport terminal, your suitcases carried in cargo area will not be rechecked. So you should put your seeds there. There is an exception though if your transit time is greater than certain amount of hours, i believe something like 4 or more hours of transit and your suitcases will have to go through customs again. So it all depends on layover time.
If you put seeds on your carryon those bags will be x-rayed and be rechecked before you board your next plane.

[gaston]

Thanks for input Oscar

Will work there on a 6 weeks on/off rotation , so I guess I will have opportunity to find some
nice fruits and seeds.
Just hoping layover will not be too long; for the seeds and myself 
and will put seeds in checked suitcases.

thanks

[fruitlovers]

Thanks for input Oscar

Will work there on a 6 weeks on/off rotation , so I guess I will have opportunity to find some
nice fruits and seeds.
Just hoping layover will not be too long; for the seeds and myself 
and will put seeds in checked suitcases.

thanks

Since you are going to be there that long i suggest also you try mailing some back to yourself. If you try both methods, mailing and carrying on person, you are more likely to succeed.

[gaston]

 Panama has a postal service, but they don't provide mail delivery to your home.American people mainly use  U.S. based mail forwarding companies,if they live in some developed part of Panama.(costa rican border area/Panama city).

If you do live right in the countryside,as I do , mail is not an option,unless using DHl as they can keep mail and call me
to drive the 70 km to pick the stuff.
I will try to use DHL if I can find one in Borneo,but I guess the best way will be to bring the seeds back in my suitcase.

Unless I find someone in Costa rica willing to act as a receiver and in that case I could share seeds as well.But that
means quite an organisation 

[fruitlovers]

Panama has a postal service, but they don't provide mail delivery to your home.American people mainly use  U.S. based mail forwarding companies,if they live in some developed part of Panama.(costa rican border area/Panama city).

If you do live right in the countryside,as I do , mail is not an option,unless using DHl as they can keep mail and call me
to drive the 70 km to pick the stuff.
I will try to use DHL if I can find one in Borneo,but I guess the best way will be to bring the seeds back in my suitcase.

Unless I find someone in Costa rica willing to act as a receiver and in that case I could share seeds as well.But that
means quite an organisation 

They have DHL and FedEx in the towns. Might be better because mail would take much longer than private courier.

[gaston]

that is  good news Oscar

thanks

[gaston]

 I'll spend most of my time at sea but I guess and hope I will have enough time to go to local markets.
If someone wants me to try and find seeds to send,I could try.
I'm just a newbie regarding plants so don't expect to have an expert in place.

[fruitlovers]

I'll spend most of my time at sea but I guess and hope I will have enough time to go to local markets.
If someone wants me to try and find seeds to send,I could try.
I'm just a newbie regarding plants so don't expect to have an expert in place.

There was a member on this forum that wrote a very good review of all the main markets of Sarawak and Sabah and rated them. I think this would be very helpful for you. Try doing a search inside the forum. Or maybe someone else remembers and can provide you the link?

[luc]

thanks Luc,
as I don't choose my trip,company does, I don't have choice.

Where do you ask online for such pre-approved permit.
Does it also apply for checked bags or is it only for carry on ones.
I plan to have seeds in my checked luggages.
thanks

Gaston , google ESTA . It's good for 2 years , they give the permit the same day , all by email ....print out the permit and present at immigration .
On the other side if you're leaving from France you will fly the other way ( east ) . Leaving from Panama you will probably have to go trough the US.
This permit is only for immigration , nothing to do with customs....