Question
I am based in Vietnam and want to export orchids to Australia. I need to eradicate all insects from the plants that are grown in sphagnum moss.Can you suggest a good way of doing this? I will ship by air freight and also a shipping container by sea freight.Taiwan exports but I can not get details on how they fumigate. Thanks for your assistance.

Answer
Paul, I certainly could recommend fumigation and/or treatment products but that, in my opinion, would be ill advised unless the authorities in both Vietnam and Australia have no recommendations or requirements. As far as Australian import of orchids, you are required to have a phytosanitary permit, prepare a CITES document (even for hybrids),and ship bareroot. Post entry fumigation and quarantine is required. If you work with a specific importer in Australia, they can provide more specific advice than I as they will need to pick up the plants from the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service sfter shipment.

Ideally, your Australian importer should be able to learn what the Australian authorities use to do their fumigation.  You may also wish to seek the advice of your local agricultural representative to see what they recommend and/or require.

It is not surprising that you can't get much help from Taiwan because they are large phalaenopsis exporters (eg Taiwan Sugar Company) would view you as a competitor.

Once you have established some working relationships with your local agricultural agent and your Australian importer you should be able to get all of your questions answered for both exportation and importation (including any fumigation required of you). This is essential because each country has its own requirements-- shipping is the easy part.