Ecuadorian roses reach the US by air in a couple of days. Here is what US rules require, how the cold chain works, and how to buy directly from farms.
Why Ecuador
Ecuador's roses grow at high altitude near the equator, which gives long straight stems and large heads. Colombia and Ecuador supply roughly 86% of flowers imported to the US by air, according to Miami International Airport. Most farms are in Cayambe and Tabacundo (Pichincha) and around Latacunga (Cotopaxi), one to two hours from Quito's airport.
US rules in plain words
- Cut flowers are regulated by USDA APHIS. Under 7 CFR part 319, subpart P, all imported cut flowers must be made available for inspection at the port of first arrival and stay there until released. If pests are found that cannot be treated, the lot can be refused or must be treated at the importer's cost.
- Inspection is done by CBP agriculture specialists. CBP says Miami International Airport processes the large majority of US cut-flower imports.
- Requirements vary by commodity and country. Check the current entry requirements for roses from Ecuador in APHIS's Agricultural Commodity Import Requirements (ACIR) database before your first order.
- Customs entry. As with any commercial import, the goods are entered with CBP, normally through a licensed customs broker. Check the tariff classification and duty in the US Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS, chapter 6).
Documents from the Ecuadorian side
- Phytosanitary certificate issued by Agrocalidad, Ecuador's plant-health agency.
- Commercial invoice and packing list (boxes, bunches, stems, variety, length).
- Air waybill issued by the cargo agency or airline.
- Export declaration filed with Ecuadorian customs (SENAE), usually by the farm or its cargo agent.
- Certificate of origin if your broker needs it for a trade preference.
Logistics: farm → UIO → MIA
- Roses are cut, hydrated and cooled in the farm's post-harvest room, then packed in boxes (full, half/HB, quarter/QB).
- A refrigerated truck takes them to a cargo agency near Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito.
- The agency consolidates boxes from several farms onto freighter or belly-cargo flights. Miami International Airport reports nine cargo airlines with freighter service from Ecuador.
- At Miami, CBP inspects; your broker clears the entry; the boxes go to your cooler or to a forwarder for domestic trucking.
Most farms quote FOB / FCA Quito: the price covers the flowers delivered to the cargo agency. You pay air freight, customs, duties and US trucking. Ask the farm which cargo agency it uses; many importers nominate their own.
Timing and seasons
Demand peaks for Valentine's Day and Mother's Day. CBP adds staff in Miami from mid-January to mid-February because of the volume. Book farm capacity and air space weeks ahead and expect higher prices around those dates.
How to contact growers
- Shortlist farms by variety (standard, spray, garden, preserved) and certifications (Flor Ecuador, Rainforest Alliance, Fair Trade).
- Message them on WhatsApp with variety, color, stem length, boxes per week, destination and start date.
- Ask for the weekly availability list, price per stem by length, box type and stems per box.
- Start with a trial box, then agree on a standing order.
- Agree on payment terms in writing. New buyers often prepay; credit terms usually come after a track record.
FAQ
Do I need an import permit for roses? Cut flowers are generally admitted subject to inspection at the port of first arrival rather than a permit, but requirements depend on species and country and can change. Check APHIS's ACIR database for roses from Ecuador.
What happens if pests are found? CBP can require treatment or refuse the lot, and costs fall on the importer. Choose farms with good post-harvest practices and inspections.
Can I buy mixed boxes? Farms usually pack their own varieties; brokers consolidate mixed boxes from several farms.
What is a standing order? A fixed weekly or monthly order at an agreed price. It gives you priority in peak season.
Can I ship to Europe or Asia? Yes. Ecuadorian farms ship worldwide; destination rules differ, so check with your importer of record.
Below are Ecuadorian rose farms whose contact we verified on their own websites. Message them directly — EcuaFarmEx does not take a commission.
Flores y rosas
Flores y rosas
Flores y rosas
Flores y rosas
Flores y rosas