The APHIS permit exemption for “less than 13” is here: https://aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/… <https://aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/…> This exemption still requires compliance with other rules - phyto, no soil, not on any prohibited list, etc. I have bit more information from Japan. The Japanese vendor was recently told by the Japanese quarantine authorities that they would not issue a phyto certificate unless the vendor provided an import permit from the customer, regardless of the quantity of “plant parts”. The authorities told him this had been the requirement since 2014, but that they had only “noticed" the rule change recently. I have received several shipments over the years, all with less than 13 items, with both the phyto and the Japanese customs paperwork attached to the outside of the parcel. The last of these packages was just a couple weeks ago, so the change is quite recent. I have an e-permit account and will request an additional PPQ 587 before I make my next order, and have advised my friend to do the same. I’m still not sure how this will work in practice, but I’ll find out. _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/…