Lets say Cayeux is willing to ship the dozen Iris & get them inspected, for a Phytosanitary Certificate, but then that may not be the issue.
If the French Authorities require issuing an Import Permit, by the purchaser (being, you) the Importer, then they may refuse to allow Export, when filing the Phytosanitary Paper work.
I'm fairly certain, the Permit to Export, should be recognized as just as valid as the Permit, to Import, according to U.S. law. So, it really depends on how they interpret our law & exception, with their rules & regulations.
Like I mentioned, the dozen plants exception, was intended for the "home gardener" & not really Commercial growers, or vendors. Although, in the past, I have not only paid for Phytosanitary paper , but also CITES Permit, for Endangered species,,- without -Import paper, under the "dozen plants" exception rule. Since the authorities already knew, what the parcel contained, they didn't bother to open it up & inspect it & allowed it to pass.
