Plants, cut flowers and protection of species (CITES)

1. Plants which are prohibited from being imported

The following plants, trees or bushes are, as possible carriers of particularly dangerous organisms, prohibited from being imported:

a) Originating in all countries

Miniature medlar (Cotoneaster)
Photinia - Photinia davidiana (syn. Stranvaesia davidiana)

b) Originating in all countries other than EU, Norway and Iceland

Apple tree (Malus)
Pear tree (Pyrus)
Oak (Quercus)
Mountain Ash, or hawthorn and rowan (Sorbus)
Firethorn (Pyracantha)
Potato and the like, other Solanaceae (Solanacea)
Real, edible chestnuts (Castanea)
Medlar (Mespilus)
Coniferous woods (conifers)
Quince tree (Cydonia)
Vines (Vitis)
Roses
Drupaceous trees (apricots, cherry, almond, peach, plum and damson) and all flowering types of the prunus variety
Hawthorn (Crataegus) all types and varieties
Loquat (Eriobotrya)
Flowering quince or quince (Chaenomeles)
Kumquat (Fortunella)
Bitter orange or seville orange (Poncirus)
Citrus plants (Citrus)

2. Other plants or parts of plants (incl. fruits and vegetables)

a) Importation from EU, Norway and Iceland

Plants (living or as plant parts) and bulbs, garden soil or flower soil are not subject to phytosanitary measures, so long as these goods are imported in tourist traffic for personal use, except for plants according to section 1a (live plants or as plant parts).

b) Imports from other countries

Plants imported from countries other than EU, Norway or Island (living or as plant parts) and bulbs are subject to inspection by the phytosanitary service²⁾ or are not allowed to be imported (See “Plants which are prohibited from being imported, part II”).

Whoever wishes to import plants of this type or plant products must make enquiries early enough before importation at the Federal Office for Agriculture about the current regulations.

²⁾Allowance per person: cut flowers (bouquets) up to 3 kg maximum and fruits and vegetables (except for potatoes) up to 10 kg overall are not subject to phytosanitary measures.

3. Protection of species plants

Approximately 25,000 types of plant are covered by the Washington Species Protection Convention (CITES) and are globally protected.

The importation of plants of this nature or products thereof is either completely prohibited or is subject to authorisation (e.g. orchids, cacti, certain types of wood and medicinal plants; www.cites.ch).