key points:
- each state in the united states has different restrictions regarding the shipment of plants, so you should check with the usda database before you start shipping
- you need a certified phytosanitary if shipping plants internationally
- you can ship plants with all major couriers like fedex, usps, ups and other courier companies
Plant gift givers and botanically inspired e-commerce businesses need to make sure they can safely ship their plants to friends, family, and customers.
The horticultural and agricultural industries are leading global industries, with seeds, plants and cut flowers shipped all over the world. In the United States alone, the market revenue is $15 billion.
When you are in the business of selling plants, ensuring the safe arrival of your product is essential to the success of your business. you don’t want the plants to die or be damaged and you certainly don’t want to lose customers and revenue because of it.
Plant preparation and proper packaging must be done with diligence and care. and everything about that depends on the type of plants you plan to ship.
In this article, we’ll cover how to ship plants and the steps necessary to ensure they arrive safely at their destination.
what you need to send plants
If you plan to launch an e-commerce store that sells plants, then the most important part of your business is how to safely ship plants to their destination.
What is required for shipping will depend on the type of plants and the destination.
1. understand plant shipping restrictions
The first course of action you should take when shipping plants is to understand shipping restrictions, as they vary by plant type and state. First, in case it’s not obvious, make sure you know what type of plant you’re shipping.
Each state in the United States has different restrictions regarding the shipment of plants and flowers. Before shipping plants to different states, you should check the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) database to see if the plant is endangered or banned in a given state.
For example, you cannot ship citrus plants to California from any state, and you cannot ship Mauna Loa plants or Jade Vine fresh flowers to the continental United States or Alaska from Hawaii. therefore, you should do the proper research before discovering how to ship plants to another state.
There are also strict rules on pests and diseases to prevent damage to local ecosystems. certain plants may be subject to quarantine, so you will need to check with the specific locality regarding regulations.
2. restrictions for shipping plants internationally
If you want to ship plants internationally from the United States, you must follow the restrictions and prohibitions on certain plants and seeds depending on the destination. You will need to have all the appropriate client forms and declarations.
Agricultural imports and exports have separate laws and regulations that are strictly followed. each country has similar organizations and departments dealing with these matters. Before shipping plants internationally, make sure you have complete information about it.
If you are shipping plants internationally, you will need a phytosanitary certificate. it is an official certificate that is required to ship plants and other regulated items. This certificate is issued by the department of horticulture or agriculture or food and water resources of the exporting country.
You don’t need a permit to ship less than 12 plants, but if you’re in this business and have to ship regularly, you must purchase permits. For example, if you want to ship any type of plant to the UK, you will need an import permit.
3. shipping and handling labels
You will need a standard shipping label that contains the basic information about the shipment, the courier code and the return address.
In addition, it is important to use handling labels to communicate the contents to personnel handling the package. If you don’t properly label your perishable items, there’s a chance the package could be mishandled and damaged.
handling labels like “live plants, hurry” or “do not crush” or “perishable” will let handlers know to be careful when storing the box and this is an expedited process. delivery and has to be delivered as soon as possible. so don’t forget to label it appropriately and prominently.
4. corrugated cardboard boxes
Corrugated Plant Shipping Boxes are mainly used for packing plants. most plants can be shipped unpotted. It not only reduces shipping cost but it is easier to pack. you can pack and ship them in smaller boxes very easily.
If you are sending many small plants to the same address then you can use partitioned corrugated boxes. These partitions can be horizontal, vertical, or diagonal, depending on the type of plants you are packing.
You can get plant shipping boxes made for your plants that ship regularly. If you are a small business and making the boxes is an expensive affair for you, you can assemble the shipping boxes from your plant yourself using the regular boxes and partitions.
Related Post: Essential Shipping Supplies You Need for International Shipping
how to prepare plants for shipping
Most plants are best shipped bare rooted. so just take them out of the pot or soil and shake off the big chunks of soil. but do not clean all the dirt, as it is better that the roots have a little moisture and microbes.
wrap the roots with a couple of damp paper towels or mist the roots with water then wrap in plastic wrap. for a longer ride, add a few drops of polymer moisture crystals to the water before spraying.
You can also wrap the tops of plant stems to prevent breakage. For shipping succulents and cacti, make sure they haven’t been recently watered before taking them out. semi-dry soil is better for shipping them.
Similarly, for cut flowers, be sure to cut them at a clean angle when cutting to size. then put them in a jar of clean water for 3-4 hours so they can drink enough water to last them a while. now tie them into a bunch and wrap the end with damp paper towels or put some water in a plastic bag and place the stems inside and seal. this way they can travel long distances without withering.
checklist of essential material for the safe transport of plants
You will need to purchase the following packing material to ship the plants.
- corrugated cardboard boxes for each plant or sturdy plastic plant shipping boxes for each plant depending on size
- lightweight plastic pots
- sterilized soil for pots
- packing paper or wrapping paper or newspaper
- bubble wrap
- flea collars
- plastic bags
- ribbons or rubber bands</li
- paper towels
9 steps to pack plants for shipping
When you’re ready to pack your plants, here are the steps to follow:
- if you plan to use a pot of sterile soil for your plant, put it in a plastic bag and tie at the bottom to prevent soil from spilling out
- if shipping bare root then prepare it well.
- glue the box to the bottom to make it sturdy.
- place the plant inside the box upright.
- fill in the gap additional. with packing peanuts or paper, but don’t overstuff it. leave space for the plant to breathe
- make some holes on each side for air to pass through so the plant doesn’t die
- close and glue the lid of the box
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- label it as “live plants” or “fragile”
- you should add heat packs to protect your temperature sensitive plants
what are the best courier services for shipping plants?
the cost and shipping time depending on the service you use, the weight of your package and your destination. but you should know that the services on the watch are expensive. you have to pay more for overnight or 1-day services than for regular shipping services. however, with perishable items like plants or flowers, you want delivery as soon as possible.
Also, make sure you don’t mail on days off, as your package will have to wait in transit and this can ruin your plants.
You will need the proper permits to ship to different countries, so please obtain all documentation before submitting your package for shipment.
The terminal inspection law requires plants to be properly labeled on the package. this does not require a special label or stickers. you can simply write it on the box or package.
If you consider all the things discussed above, you’ll be good to go.
shipping plants with usps
If you choose to ship your plants with the USPS, there are a few steps you need to consider before choosing the service. Different states have restrictions on what plants can be shipped, so you’ll need to check before trying to switch.
- priority mail express: arrives in 2 business days. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $20
- priority mail: arrives within 1 business day. for 1 bl or less, flat rate box rates start around $7
- flat rate priority mail – medium: arrives within 1-3 business days. for 1 bl or less, rates for the flat rate box start around $12
shipping plants with fedex
fedex offers excellent services for shipping plants and has no special packaging or labeling requirements. As with the USPS, you’ll need to follow state-by-state restrictions.
Due to the perishable nature of the plants, FedEx recommends their overnight services.
- first night: arrive at 8 am. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $64
- fedex priority night: arrives at 10:30 am. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $30 m. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $28
- fedex ground – arrive end of day. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $9
transport plants with ups
ups offers some robust shipping facility services and does not require any special packaging or labeling requirements. As with other messaging services, you will need to follow the restrictions of each state. Due to the perishable nature of plants, UPS recommends overnight air service.
- next day plane: arrives at 10:30 am. m. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $28
- goes up by ground: arrives by end of next day. for 1 pound or less, rates start around $14
package and ship plants securely for your e-commerce business
Shipping a perishable item requires a lot of planning. First, you must understand the regulations and laws related to the export and import of plants between the countries of origin and destination and ensure that you have a phytosanitary certificate for international shipments. After that, understand how you can properly pack your plants or flowers to meet their special needs, such as temperature, soil, humidity, etc.
now you need to tag the package and select the service you want. the deciding factors for that are cost and time. once everything is fixed, drop off the package or take it to pick up.
easyship offers affordable shipping solutions for all perishable items. You can easily compare different shipping services and check rates with our shipping rate calculator to get an estimate.
we’ll show you the fastest, cheapest and best value options. We also recommend developing a shipping policy for your eCommerce store. This not only helps answer customer questions, but can also be used as a marketing tool. we make it easy to generate one with our shipping policy generator tool.
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frequently asked questions about shipping plants
Can the plants survive shipping?
yes, plants can survive shipping as long as they are securely packaged. you’ll want to make sure you use packing material like corrugated cardboard boxes for each plant, bubble wrap, etc.
What is the cheapest way to ship plants?
Use a trusted shipping platform like easyship to help streamline your shipping process so your plants can be shipped safely and affordably. You’ll save up to 70% on shipping fees with over 250 courier services.
Looking for more shipping tips? take a look at the following:
- A Seller’s Guide to Domestic E-Commerce Shipping
- The Cheapest Way to Ship Clothes: How to Mail Clothes
- Shipping Books: What’s the cheapest way to ship books?