Yes. You are right. But I think there was a loophole where it could be imported if it’s part of a paste or chili oil mixture. Restaurants were able to procure i

Yes. You are right. But I think there was a loophole where it could be imported if it’s part of a paste or chili oil mixture. Restaurants were able to procure it but not in the form they liked. I was approached by a restaurant group to grow it for them and I couldn’t. I suggested Japanese Sansho to which I had access..but it was just one tree..and it wasn’t an acceptable substitute. And then I tried with spilanthes/toothache plant which is an annual. And they didn’t like it either. But the herbalists co op said that they will take it all and so it wasn’t a complete loss for me. And I grew it for a few years. Sichuan pepper is really an unique taste profile. I would very much like to grow it if possible in the future.