It was just brought to my attention that shipping any plant material without it being USDA inspected is ILLEGAL. This person was referring to somebody that shipped seeds to Canada (from the U.S.) and got in trouble for it. Could this mean a possible charge of mail fraud?
What about shipping within the U.S.?
Comments please.
Legalitys of mailing seeds and cuttings questions
Inside US is ok. Don't send any soil on plants to California.
Well, not quite true that inside the USA is automatically OK.
As for the USDA certain plants and seeds are interstate, intrastate and internationally restricted regardless of the soil issue. In addition Canada (or the specific province) may or may not have restrictions. You will have to look into your state law to see what is prohibited and then the state you are sending to as well for their specific restrictions. Each state has a Department of Agriculture for this information.
caron I kind of thought that was the case.
I have had atrade opened by the Ag inspector before being sent on to me. It was re-sealed then an official CA Ag inspection sticker is put on it. The trade had no soil & the leaves were clean, no bugs.....so it came through to me fine.
So does anybody know what would happen if you were caught illegally shipping plant materials?
I heard of a person who was shipping a bareroot rose cutting from the US to Canada who got in trouble but I didn't get any of the details.
Probably depends on the species in question. It may be that the plant/seeds are simply confiscated. If it's a violation of the Endangered Species Act, Convention on Internationl Trade of Endangered Species, or violation of Federal Noxious Weed law then I wouldn't want to be in their shoes-conviction is jail time and BIG fines. Plus, it will also depend in the specific Ag Inspector. Someone known to be a reapeat violator may be in for trouble as opposed to someone with a one time seed or plant trade who claims to not know the laws surounding the issue (but ignorance is no excuse either).
Years ago I sent some cuttings into Canada
I marked on the customs sheet
"unrooted house plant cuttings"
Gift
They got there fine
I don't know if things have changed
I think the proplems arise when you try to get plants INTO the USA
Its not that hard to get them out
Getting plants in and especially out of Hawaii is very difficult.
I think if you are worried about it, don't do it. Jeanette