At Greenhouse AFL we specialize in exporting live aroids and rare collector plants worldwide. Because live plants are perishable and regulated, our shipping process includes plant preparation, official export documents, and express courier delivery. This page explains timelines, costs, and responsibilities in full.
1. Overview — How Export Shipping Works
Every international order follows the same sequence:
- Day 0: Order confirmation & payment via WhatsApp invoice.
- Day 1–2: Plant selection, health check, bare-root preparation and wrapping in premium sphagnum moss.
- Day 2–12: Phytosanitary inspection & certificate issuance by the Indonesian Agricultural Quarantine Agency (1–2 weeks). If CITES is required, add 5–7 days.
- Day 13–16: DHL Express shipment (3–5 business days) with door-to-door tracking.
You will receive WhatsApp updates at each stage, including a photo of the packed box before we hand it to DHL.
2. Export Documents
Phytosanitary Certificate (1–2 Weeks)
A Phytosanitary Certificate is mandatory for all live plant exports from Indonesia. It is an official document issued by the Ministry of Agriculture confirming the plants have been inspected and are free from pests and diseases. We handle the entire application for you — you do not need to apply yourself. Processing typically takes 7–14 calendar days after plant preparation. The cost (usually $15–$35 depending on volume) is included in your final shipping invoice.
CITES Permit (+5–7 Days When Required)
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) applies to certain wild-collected species. Most of our tissue-cultured Philodendron, Monstera, Scindapsus, and Epipremnum are not CITES-listed and need only a Phytosanitary Certificate. If your order includes a CITES Appendix II species (e.g., some Anthurium or Amydrium), we will obtain the CITES export permit for you. This adds 5–7 business days and an approx. $15–$25 fee. We will notify you via WhatsApp before processing if CITES applies.
3. Packing Method
To comply with customs and to maximize survival, all plants are shipped bare-root (without soil):
- Roots wrapped in slightly moist premium sphagnum moss (not wet, to prevent rot).
- Foliage protected with soft breathable paper and dacron insulation.
- Stems secured to prevent movement; plants braced inside a rigid double-wall corrugated box.
- Box labeled “Live Plants — Keep from Heat/Cold” and includes commercial invoice + Phytosanitary Certificate in a waterproof pouch.
This method is proven for 5–7 day transits and has been used for thousands of shipments to the USA, EU, and Canada.
4. Courier — DHL Express (3–5 Business Days)
We ship exclusively with DHL Express for international live plants. Domestic Indonesian shipments may use JNE/SiCepat if requested. DHL provides:
- 3–5 business days transit worldwide after pickup (excluding phytosanitary waiting time).
- Door-to-door service with full tracking and SMS/email notifications.
- Priority handling; we book Express, not Economy.
Tracking: Your DHL Air Waybill (AWB) number is sent via WhatsApp and email as soon as the parcel is scanned. You can track at dhl.com/express/tracking.
5. Shipping Costs — Volumetric Weight
Live plant shipping is charged by volumetric (dimensional) weight, not just actual weight. DHL charges whichever is greater:
This is why we cannot calculate shipping at checkout. After you submit your cart via the Checkout/WhatsApp quote, we measure the packed box and provide an exact final invoice including: plant total + Phytosanitary (+ CITES if applicable) + DHL Express fee. You approve the total before we process documents. There are no hidden fees from our side; however, import duties/taxes (see below) are charged by your government on arrival.
6. Delivery Times by Region
Times below are after Phytosanitary issuance; DHL transit is consistent, but customs clearance varies.
| Region | DHL Express Transit* | Docs Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3–5 business days | Phyto 7–14 days; CITES +5–7 if needed | USDA permit required if importing >12 plants. ≤12 plants: no permit needed but phyto required. |
| European Union / UK | 3–5 business days | Phyto 7–14 days | No import permit for small private imports. Valid phone & address required for customs. |
| Canada | 3–5 business days | Phyto 7–14 days | CFIA may inspect; some species restricted. Confirm with us via WhatsApp before checkout. |
| Australia | 4–6 business days | Phyto 7–14 days; CITES +5–7 | Australia has strict biosecurity (BICON). Many aroids allowed with phyto + import permit; we verify per species. |
| Asia (JP, SG, MY, etc.) | 2–4 business days | Phyto 7–14 days | Often fastest DHL lane; same document rules. |
| Other / Rest of World | 3–6 business days | Phyto 7–14 days | Contact us for a specific quote. |
*Transit = DHL door-to-door after export clearance in Jakarta. Does not include phyto/CITES or customs delay on your side.
7. Customs, Duties & Buyer Responsibility
International shipments may be subject to import duties, taxes, or inspection fees set by your country. These are determined by your customs authority and are not included in our invoice and not collected by us.
- It is the buyer’s responsibility to know and comply with local import regulations (e.g., US import permit for >12 plants, EU EORI for commercial imports, Australia BICON conditions).
- Please provide a correct, deliverable address, email, and phone number with country code. DHL requires a phone for delivery/customs contact.
- If customs requests additional documents or payment, DHL will contact you directly. Please respond promptly to avoid storage fees or return.
- If a parcel is held, confiscated, or destroyed by customs due to missing buyer permits or failure to pay duties/respond to customs, we cannot refund (see our Live Arrival Guarantee).
8. Order Tracking & Support
- Photo of packed box + AWB sent via WhatsApp before/upon handover.
- Track via DHL Express website/app; we also monitor and will notify you of any exception.
- If there is no tracking update for 48 hours or a customs hold notice, contact us immediately at hello@greenhouseafl.web.id or WhatsApp +62 895-3430-62163.
- Weekends/holidays in Indonesia (WIB UTC+7) or your destination may add 1–2 days.
9. Need a Shipping Quote?
Add plants to your Cart and proceed to Checkout to send a quote request, or contact us directly on WhatsApp. Include your country, city/ZIP, and plant list — we reply within 24 hours with the exact volumetric quote and document fees.
Questions not covered here? See our FAQ or Contact Us. By placing an order you agree to this Shipping Policy and our Terms of Service.