Aren't there restrictions on importing plant materials?

Yes, there probably are. I posted about this (http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/hoya/msg0320152625760.html), but there's little info.

quoting Ted Green "The USDA is now insisting that all plants and plant materials entering the U.S. must be accompanied by a Phytosanitary Certificate from the exporting country. "
I had to get one for plant from Australia so I think it is required for all imported plants.

Leon

I'm a bit confused as to why you think there is little information on importing plants. A simple google search on import plants to US will bring up the website that gives all the info needed, as well as links to the proper forms if you want to do it.

Renee

Well, I did feel a little confused when I started bc the governmental sites all sounded so scary and yet ordinary people seemed to be importing plants right and left. Then when I understood that vendors usually do all the paperwork for you (if you are ordering under 13), it made more sense.

Policies are always changing so if you go by old threads you will be soon out of date. Best thing, as Renee says, is to face the hard-to-navigate government sites and take it from the horse's mouth.

It's going to be a hassle the first time to figure it out without a vendor's help, but it can be done.

Ugh. Sounds like the kind of trouble not worth it to me at this time. Maybe later, when I am ready for that dream order from Thailand for a couple dozen cuttings.

I agree it's not worth the trouble, in most cases. :(

Chances are, you would get much more interesting specimens ordering from Jack, than sending a Hoya rookie into a Vietnamese or Thai marketplace, too. ;)

Now, I definitely think it would be worth the bother to go somewhere where you could see them growing wild with your own eyes. *_*