DHL Express expands export service from Thailand to the United States for non-perishable plants

• The non-perishable plants export service to the U.S. helps local business owners meet soaring overseas demand with fast delivery of three to five days
• DHL Express Thailand currently offers next-day cactus export service to Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia
• DHL’s 24/7 customer service and customs expertise makes it easy for local sellers to export non-perishable plants from Thailand to the U.S.

DHL Express has introduced an express export service for non-perishable plants from Thailand to the United States. Adding on to the existing service of exporting cacti and foliage plants to Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Cambodia, this strategic initiative enables local business owners to seize the opportunities presented by the rapidly growing demand from the U.S. market.

Non-perishable plant business owners in Thailand will gain access to customers in the United States through DHL Express’s express delivery between three and five days with full tracking visibility across the entire supply chain. This is supported by DHL Express’ extensive fleet of freighters, ground transportation, and logistics facilities.

Transit time also depends on the completion of required documents from the shipper and is subject to inspection and clearance process from customs authorities at transit and destination countries.

Herbert Vongpusanachai, Managing Director, DHL Express Thailand and Head of Indochina, said. “We are delighted to announce the expansion of our cross-border trade capabilities with the express delivery service for non-perishable plant shipments from Thailand to the United States. This strategic move reflects our commitment to staying ahead of market trends and meeting the evolving demands of our customers. As we witness the growth in the global plants market, we are proud to be at the forefront, offering professional export services and leveraging our expertise to support local sellers and SMEs in reaching the U.S. market. This expansion reaffirms our unwavering dedication to delivering excellence, speed, and reliability and we look forward to enabling more businesses to thrive in the plants industry.”

Non-perishable plants are defined as resilient plants capable of thriving without soil or water for three to five days. This category encompasses non-potted plants and foliage plants that do not fall under prohibited species or require special handling i.e. temperature control. Notable examples of such plants include Adenium, Monstera, Spotted Betel Plant, Philodendron, Devil’s Ivy, and Cactus.

The global plant market has experienced positive growth, with the worldwide import value of live trees and other plants surpassing a remarkable USD23 billion in 2022. Among the various international markets, the United States stands at the forefront, reaching an import value of USD 4 billion and securing the top position in 2022.[1] As one of the key suppliers of plants to the U.S., Thailand has established itself as the foremost exporter of ornamental and decorative plants in ASEAN ranking 1^st within the region and 16^th worldwide in 2022.  The export value stood at USD 124.2 million, with the United States as the main export markets.[2]

To deliver non-perishable plants to the U.S., a Phytosanitary Certification is required by the customs authority to certify that the plant is free from pests and aligns with conditions of the destination country. The Phytosanitary Certificate ensures compliance with the regulations set by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the importation of plants. The recipient is advised to contact the ministry or relevant agency before the goods are delivered to prepare the import documents and facilitate prompt delivery. CITES Permit (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of wild fauna and flora) is subject to origin CITES whether shipment includes species protected by CITES.

Interested customers can use non-perishable plants export service by following the steps here or  contact DHL Express Thailand’s customer service at 02-345-5000 (24 hours) for shipment booking instructions .

[1] Trade Map by International Trade Center (ITC)

[2] National News Bureau of Thailand, PRD