Bringing plants on a plane from US to Denmark

I have a few small house plants I'd like to take home to Denmark when I leave the US. They're small enough so I can uproot them and pack them with wet paper in a tupperware box. And they can withstand cold.

However, am I even allowed to bring them to Europe? They are not endangered or exotic (3 small coleus), just from a flower shop, but I don't think someone inspecting the luggage will take that into account. When entering the US I am always asked to fill out a landing card asking if I brought any plants or 'produce'. I don't think I've ever filled out something like this when travelling the other way though.

I suppose I could just try, but I'd rather not get into any trouble with my luggage.

Thanks for your input!

air-travel luggage

Best Answer

Are these three particular plants of importance to you? Coleus is a pretty common house plant sold in markets all over the world and you maybe able to find it in plant shops in Denmark. Or perhaps take some seeds and grow them from scratch.

But if the plants are special to you and they aren't covered under CITES (unlikely since most flower shop versions are hybrids), then the first step is to clean the roots completely of dirt and vegetative matter. After unpotting them, you will likely have to dip the roots into a bucket of water multiple times to remove all the dirt. It is always good to trim off any insect eaten leaves or diseased looking leaves. Then use moist paper towels to wrap the roots, not tissue paper. When I box plants in a plastic container I add those styrofoam packing peanuts to fill the empty voids and avoid leaf/stem breakage.

Another method would be to take cuttings only, no roots, then put them in water upon arrival and let them grow new roots before planting them in a pot of dirt.

Upon arrival, as Eugene suggested go through the red line and declare them to be safe.

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Can you transport plants on a plane Europe?

If you are travelling in the EU you can carry meat or dairy products with you as long as they are for your own personal consumption. This also applies to plants or plant products, such as cut flowers, fruit or vegetables as long as they have been grown in an EU country and are free from pests or disease.

Can you bring plants on a plane internationally?

Airlines and the airline regulators (TSA) treat plants like any other items, and they're allowed on planes. The only problems start when you have to go through the customs on international flights. Most plants are banned from bringing in, you'll need additional permits, and they'll have to be transported bare-rooted.

Can you bring plants from US to Europe?

All regulated plants, plant products and other objects in passengers' personal luggage are prohibited from entry into the EU territory, unless accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.

Can I bring plants on a plane?

Yes, you can bring plants on an airplane, according to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the U.S. The TSA allows plants in both carry-on and checked bags.

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