elmac40 Posted March 28 #1 Share Posted March 28 Hi everyone I’m doing a cruise on the Rotterdam at the end of April. Before it, I’m going to visit Keukenhof gardens and was planning to buy some tulip bulbs while there. Am I allowed to take packs of bulbs on board? Many thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruising-along Posted March 28 #2 Share Posted March 28 I did it in 2019 with no problem. To be sure I would ask onboard, hopefully they haven’t changed the rules. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bizziecruzer Posted March 28 #3 Share Posted March 28 Getting them onboard may not be the issue. Getting them into your country may be the problem. 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McDeb2119 Posted March 28 #4 Share Posted March 28 In 2017 I brought back bulbs from Amsterdam. When at the floating flower market I suspected they were asked often if they can be brought to the US. They put a special agricultural sticker on them. I declared them when entering the US. It took like 10 minutes for Customs to look it up but ultimately they let me have them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alberta Quilter Posted March 28 #5 Share Posted March 28 We had ours shipped to Canada to avoid any issues. I believe they came in the fall in time to plant. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radbooks Posted March 29 #6 Share Posted March 29 We bought some last fall in Amsterdam from the flower market and we just looked for ones that have a sticker that says it's okay to bring into the US. We put them in our luggage when we disembarked in Ft. Lauderdale and the dogs found them so we got pulled aside. It wasn't a big deal - except we felt guilty! - but they just looked them up. I think I'd carry them off next time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roupa Posted March 29 #7 Share Posted March 29 There are customs/agriculture rules regarding carrying meat, cheese, plants, etc into the US. Be SURE to learn the process in order to avoid inspection delays and potential fines / confiscation! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cccole Posted March 29 #8 Share Posted March 29 Replies #4 and 6 indicate Custom's looked up the rule. It might be helpful to bring a copy of that with you. What an amazing souvenir. Cherie 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted March 29 #9 Share Posted March 29 22 hours ago, Bizziecruzer said: Getting them onboard may not be the issue. Getting them into your country may be the problem. I agree with you Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chengkp75 Posted March 29 #10 Share Posted March 29 Here is the Dept of Agriculture rules on plants imported to the US: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/traveler/intl-travel/plants-seeds/plants-seeds notice that you are only allowed 12 bulbs unless you apply for an import license. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lyndarra Posted March 29 #11 Share Posted March 29 As mentioned previously you may have no problem taking them onboard. As OP is from UK this may help. https://www.gov.uk/bringing-plants-and-wood-into-great-britain 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Alphen Posted March 29 #12 Share Posted March 29 In the Keukenhof, just like other tourist spots where tulip bulbs are on display, there will undoubtedly be specially packaged tulip bulbs for sale that meet the agricultural access requirements of, among others, the United States. This is also the case at Schiphol Airport. You are not the first tourist, wanting to take bulbs to their homecountry and they will cater to those needs and requirements. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elmac40 Posted March 29 Author #13 Share Posted March 29 Thanks to everyone who responded-much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Alphen Posted March 29 #14 Share Posted March 29 1 hour ago, Alphen said: In the Keukenhof, just like other tourist spots where tulip bulbs are on display, there will undoubtedly be specially packaged tulip bulbs for sale that meet the agricultural access requirements of, among others, the United States. This is also the case at Schiphol Airport. You are not the first tourist, wanting to take bulbs to their homecountry and they will cater to those needs and requirements. Here is a correction, with an official reply of "Keukenhof"; The sale of flower bulbs on the Keukenhof premises is managed by the bulb companies Frylink and QFB. At these companies, you can place an order to have them shipped abroad. These bulbs will need to be inspected and sent to the destination with official documents. Links to the companies' websites: Frylink: http://www.frylink.com/ QFB: https://www.qfbgardening.nl/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DoorCounty Posted March 29 #15 Share Posted March 29 I did it & when we got back to the US I gave the Customs guy my best poker face & told him I didn’t have any fruit, plants or whatever. That was in 2010. I gave a few extras to a neighbor & every year ONE bulb still blooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRLD Posted March 30 #16 Share Posted March 30 Just now, DoorCounty said: I did it & when we got back to the US I gave the Customs guy my best poker face & told him I didn’t have any fruit, plants or whatever. That was in 2010. I gave a few extras to a neighbor & every year ONE bulb still blooms. Unless they decide to check you anyway. Then it becomes more of a problem then if you had declared them to begin with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wehwalt Posted March 30 #17 Share Posted March 30 I bought daffodil bulbs in Holland and England, they had certificates, I declared them, the customs officer didn't want to see them, they were still blooming as of the time I sold the house two years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare 3rdGenCunarder Posted March 30 #18 Share Posted March 30 On 3/28/2024 at 7:20 PM, Alberta Quilter said: We had ours shipped to Canada to avoid any issues. I believe they came in the fall in time to plant. If you're going to the Netherlands in spring, it's much better to order for fall shipping. The bulbs for sale in the spring were harvested the previous spring. If the fields are full of tulips in bloom when you're there, those flowers will be cut and the foliage left to finish nourishing the bulb. When the foliage has died back, perhaps 2 months later, the bulbs are dug up and sorted and packaged for planting that fall. Yes, year-old bulbs will likely grow and bloom, but your best chance for success is to order in the spring for fall shipment. Or buy in person if you're there after the harvest. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now