Fresh flower leis for international travel

Generally you cannot carry unapproved agricultural products across borders. It will be interesting to see who here has the appropriate expertise. You are wise to be asking. Good luck.

Swiss regulations on plants and cut flowers: https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/en/home/information-individuals/animals-and-plants/plants--cut-flowers-and-protection-of-species--cites-.html

UK regulations: https://www.gov.uk/bringing-plants-and-wood-into-great-britain/from-outside-the-eu

Thanks so much for the links (which I reviewed) & responses. I travel in 3 days. I know I can travel from Hawaii to Seattle with leis. Tried to contact British Airways but haven’t reached a real person yet. Contacted USA TSA/ customs & they suggested contacting international end destination customs. Just going in circles. There’s gotta be someone out there whose traveled (or inquired ) about fresh flowers.

TSA is a USA government agency, so there's the equivalent in international airports, but it's not TSA.
I would think this would be a customs/agricultural issue.

We have had special flowers confiscated , thrown on the floor and stepped on by security. Not a happy experience!

Even though this is written for what appears to be more " commercial type " importing, I would be shocked it does not also apply to a general traveler, too.

I personally would not even attempt trying................

Plant pests and diseases can enter a country in the most innocent way, so governments take it seriously to make sure risk is minimized.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/import-plants-and-plant-products-from-non-eu-countries-to-great-britain

Thanks so much for the links (which I reviewed) & responses. I travel
in 3 days. I know I can travel from Hawaii to Seattle with leis. Tried
to contact British Airways but haven’t reached a real person yet.
Contacted USA TSA/ customs & they suggested contacting international
end destination customs. Just going in circles. There’s gotta be
someone out there whose traveled (or inquired ) about fresh flowers.

Did you read the links posted by Trotter? You have the answer to your question in the first link.

Plants and fresh (living) parts of plants (e.g. fruit, vegetables, cut flowers, cut foliage or seeds), goods made from certain types of wood and soil are subject to either import bans or inspection on importation, and must be accompanied by a phytosanitary certificate.

Anyone wishing to import such plants or plant products must enquire at the Federal Office for Agriculture about the applicable regulations in good time before importing them.

No, you cannot take flowers into the UK or Switzerland without a commercial permit to do so.

However, if you are talking about commercially processed tea leaves, they are probably allowed. I travel with tea bags and coffee, declare them, and no one has batted an eye.

https://www.punaohanaflowershawaii.com/ti-leaf-plant-hawaiian-uses/

OP probably meant "Ti" leaf , not 'tea'.

{ Although a lei made of tea bags might end up in a special display at the Tate London. :-) }
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/england/turner-prize-at-the-tate-britain

My good intentions for surprising my friends with fresh leis from Hawaii is sounding like a bad idea. I don’t want to start our travel adventure with a negative experience at Customs. We have strict agricultural rules when flying back into the islands so totally understand. Maybe I’ll just make artificial leis & spray with pikake fragrance. Mahalo everyone for your input. Safe travels to all. Aloha.

it would have been lovely though - just the thought is wonderful