Re: Customs Busting...

Andreas Wistuba (A.Wistuba@DKFZ-Heidelberg.DE)
Fri, 11 Nov 1994 09:41:02 GMT+1

> I have traded overseas or bought plants from overseas and I have used my
> import permit. I had one shipment of plants from Switzerland arrive in LA,
> were accepted by the Inspector, were then mailed to Sweden and ultimately
> ended up back in Switzerland. These plants were brought in in accordance
> with the law. This story is very minor compared to others I have been
> involved in and have heard. The way the government is operating, it is
> encouraging people to break the law.

Thinking of the shipment I sent which was killed by
LA-customs by not processing it for 3 weeks I cannot
resist asking whether there are specific problems with this
office which might be worth complaining about at another
place. I frequently sent plants from Germany to the US via
Miami and never had any problems.
After the loss I had the same impression:
Breaking the law by sending illegaly is easier and safer
for the plants. However I am still not sure whether this
might only hold true for the one office in LA. In fact the
whole might be a problem with one incompetent or just lazy
office-person.
For me one thing is obvious:
I will never again send plants via LA.

Andreas


Andreas Wistuba; Mudauer Ring 227; 68259 Mannheim; Germany
Inet: a.wistuba@dkfz-Heidelberg.de / a.wistuba@carnivor.rhein-neckar.de
Phone: +49-621-705471 Fax: +49-621-711307