Importing Plants to the USA Yourself? A Simple USDA Guide
New to importing plants from Indonesia? Here's what you need for Okanoka Regular International Shipping—without the confusing paperwork language.
This page is for
Import Yourself (Regular Shipping)
You arrange your USDA permit, green-and-yellow labels, and prepaid UPS label. We prepare and ship your plants from Indonesia.
Prefer us to handle it?
USA Group Shipping
Okanoka coordinates the group import process and U.S. forwarding. You don't need your own personal USDA permit or UPS label. Tell us after ordering if you want to join the next scheduled group shipment.
See Group Shipping options →How do my plants reach me?
USDA means the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Its Plant Inspection Station checks your plants before they can continue to your address. For this Okanoka shipping method, packages do not go straight from Indonesia to your home.
3 things you need to send us
USDA import permit (PPQ 587)
Apply at USDA APHIS eFile and send us your approved permit. The PPQ 587 application is generally free, and approval is often quick. Processing times can vary. For Okanoka's self-import service, we ask every buyer to provide an approved permit.
Green-and-yellow USDA labels
After approval, open your permit in eFile → My Activity → Plant Inspection Station Labels. Download and send us all available station labels on your permit. We'll use the correct one for your shipment. These are USDA routing labels—not courier postage.
Prepaid domestic UPS label
This pays for USDA → your home after the plants are released. Ask Okanoka for the correct forwarding details before buying your UPS label. Domestic UPS delivery is not included in your international shipping payment.
What does Okanoka handle?
We prepare your plants, coordinate Indonesian quarantine inspection and the Phytosanitary Certificate, pack plants bare-root, and arrange international DHL shipping to the required USDA inspection destination. Once USDA releases the shipment, your prepaid UPS arrangement handles the journey home.
Quick questions
I've used Group Shipping before. Is this the same? No. Group Shipping is coordinated by Okanoka. The permit, labels, and prepaid UPS instructions above apply to Import Yourself.
Can I skip USDA inspection? Not with this Okanoka self-import shipping method.
Does a permit guarantee release? No. USDA makes the inspection decision.
USDA guidance: Buying Plants & Seeds Online. Last reviewed November 4, 2026. Plant eligibility and import rules can change; buyers must follow the conditions on their permit.