I've recently heard that the restrictions on importing "small amounts" of seed may have been relaxed by customs, but I've been unable to locate a web site that lists the current regulations.
I don't want to start a thread on how to smuggle seeds or on the reasons for import restrictions, I just want to find the actual information on what is legal. :-)
Thanks!!
Info on US customs import restrictions?
I'd google U.S. Customs -- it will EVENTUALLY give you the info. Remember, it's a government site, so it's not going to be particularly user-friendly. Will you post it, please, if you find something interesting?
Also, check state as well as federal. What MD might allow, TX might not. And state websites should be easier than federal.
Maybe this member would know where you can find out the latest information. He runs a seed site and is always uptodate on such matters.
http://davesgarden.com/members/JLHudson/
I bought seeds from Ursula and she is out of the Country maybe she will know.
http://davesgarden.com/mail/pmail.php?user=Ursula
Maybe different Countries have different laws ?
Thanks for the links. I bought seeds from Ursula too, and had no problems getting them, but I think somebody selling seeds as a business would have more trouble flying under the customs radar. Windy, I think that is probably exactly the right person to ask! :-)
When I sent seeds to the UK, I checked with Main Postal facility and they informed me that it would be up to the country receiving the seeds, not the US postal service as to whether they would be accepted or not, and that it would vary from place to place. For the UK it was plants, and parts of plants. They could not tell me if "seeds" fell in to this category. If I still have the print out, I'll copy it for this thread. It was interesting, there was a special charge, per plant, for tobacco plants.
I put some seeds in a thin padded envelope and the local post office took them as a "letter" and did not ask me to fill out a customs form.
blpender
Hi just had some seeds confiscated that were sent to me from the Netherlands. So I think it's still iffy, what gets through and what doesn't.
Deb
I've never had anything returned leaving the country and if a customs form is filled out indicating flower seeds (coming and going) and the envelope is essentially flat there usually aren't any problems.
Where you run into problems are bulky packages with bulbs, rhizomes, pretty much anything vegative.
Just do not under any circumstances be sending Castor seeds in or out of the country. Homeland (in)Security will jump on that in a heartbeat and you'll probably get a visit from men in black.
X
This message was edited Jan 5, 2007 5:53 PM
Why ? are they afraid you may make Castoroil? LOL
There have been some changes to the procedures governing the importation of seed. You may import small amounts of seed without obtaining a phyto. As long as you have an import permit (which is free) you may import small amounts of seed of one kind or another.
Prior to the change in the law, phyto sanitary certificates were required, and in some cases cost more than the seed itself. Also, the delay caused by having to wait for inspection of the seed, in some cases led to the viability of delicate seed from endangered species being compromised. Further problems arose when the importation of seed was removed from the jurisdiction of the Dept. of Agriculture and placed within the jurisdiction of Homeland Security. The difficulties encountered by various scientific groups, researchers and plant societies in obtaining seed under the old guidelines jeopardized both research of native plants and their endangered status. As a result, the organizations mentioned came together to petition the government to relax the laws governing seed importation.
Last year, the regulations were relaxed for individuals using small amounts of seed for personal or research purposes. Companies importing and selling seed in large quantities are bound by the older guidelines.
During the period of time that small amounts of seed fell under the older guidelines, precious research time and many of the seeds themselves were lost to importation procedures that had them waiting in line for inspection. This is especially true of fleshy seeds from Amaryllids and other tender bulbs.
I'm not quite up on all the details, but all of this information is available through the USDA site.
X,
I don't think they would return them. I think they would either pitch them in the trash, or take them home and plant them, themselves. Bet some of them have lovely gardens.
You could probably make up a big batch of Riesn (sp?) poison from those castor seeds.
blpender
I bought seeds (non-exotic stuff) last year from Chiltern Seeds in England with no problems. I ordered on line and got my package a week or so later. It wasn't marked as seeds or anything and I only ordered about 10 or 12 packs. I've recieved seeds from Canada without the phyto stuff.
Secret Seeds in the UK would not ship to the US, but does ship to Canada.
blpender
I envelope that was mailed to me from the Netherlands was sent on to me with a form letter saying that the seeds were destroyed because they did not have the phyto-sanitary certificate. This was just a few packs (six) with a small number of seeds per pack. Just some hardy geranium and snapdragon seeds, I thought they would be OK to go through, but I guess not.
Deb
Whenever I have these questions I just call my local USDA office. I have asked the Ohio office so many hair-brained questions that they actually know me. I'm the crazy lady who likes to import tropicals to Ohio. They are very helpful and done a lot of information searching for me: to secure permits; track obsure regs; etc.
Here's the link that will give you info about your local office. http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app
ROX
Thanks! Calling and talking to a "real person" does seem like an excellent idea....
Blpender is the only person that sent me seeds from the us without the form. The envelope size was different to normal. So i;m wondering if you guys are like us and only have to do the form if the packet is over a certain size!.
Some companies over here won't deal with you guys in america because your laws wont protect the seller. So its more risky for us. Seems a bit silly to me but thats life! Everything has risks attached.
Mike,
I think you might be right about the size (or the weight). I had to send some documents to Taiwan in a big envelope, and the post office guy got out the form and when he picked up the envelope off the counter he said "you won't need the customs form, this isn't big enough". Maybe the "trick" is to send smaller sizes or weights. At any rate, it's the country RECEIVING that decides if it's contraban or not.
blpender
Budgie -- thank you! That is the page I was trying (and failing) to find, that I knew *had* to be somewhere on that site!
Tricks can work fine for individuals trading seeds etc., some people push the limits and some don't, but like you said, it's a different decision for a company to try to fly under the radar and assume responsibility for it. Good ideas on this thread, though!
I have to throw this in. Make sure what you bring into this country. Some of these plants can go wild and out of control. Getting seeds from the Netherlands puts up a red flag (drugs). Why bother with seeds from there? You can get mushroom spores in this country BTW. LOL.
I have gotten seeds from Emmy in the Netherlands for the past several years, she has fabulous gardens. I'm sure there are others here who have enjoyed receiving seeds from her also. I know absolutely nothing about any drug use you are implying, and am really rather offended that you would suggest that.
Deb
Of course imports should be done responsibly! The whole point of this thread was to figure out what the legalities are, and that includes avoiding seeds that are on invasive plant lists. I didn't understand the point of the "drugs" red flag post either... Perhaps packages of any kind from some countries of origin are more likely to be searched than others, but that's no reason not to "bother" with legal seed imports from any particular country.
Drugs are legal somewhat in the Netherlands, Anmsterdam
I suspect that HHI was not implying anything about any DG gardeners, but rather about the government's profiling of shipments from certain countries. A similar profiling occurs with people purchasing grow lights and hydroponics, even if you're doing it for legit purposes.
The joke about people buying overseas spores/seeds instead of "homegrown", however, did seem to muddle the point.
I think COREHHI was just trying to be funny. He/she DID put LOL after the sentence ya know!
Sandy
I FINALLY found that sheet from the post office re: imports. Here you go. Not sure if it's going to blow up big enough to read. Hope so.
blpender
I'm getting seeds from England, South Africa, Australia, Mexico, and 3 South American countries with no problems at all. Boxes labeled "horticultural supplies" and thousands of seeds just rattling away in the box. We aren't trying to hide anything and aren't getting any phyto sanctions either.
I've gotten large orders from SilverHill with their address on it--no problems. I've used my business address going out of the country with no problems either. Canada is the only country I've tried to send seeds to that they never arrived.
Debbie
This message was edited Jan 26, 2007 7:03 PM
I don't think the problem is getting them in, it's sending them out. So far, I've had no problems in either direction, but many times there have been packages seized.
blpender
Thanks! I forwarded that address to the UK guy who's trying to start up a little seed business. For my own part, I guess I'll continue to send seeds from time to time, label them clearly, and try not to send anything that's restricted by either country... and not send anything I can't afford to have confiscated.
Apparently it's a PITA to send seeds here from the UK. Secret Seeds won't do it. Must be more trouble than it's worth. It's a pity, because they have seeds I'd like to try.
When I sent seeds to Mike, I wasn't asked to fill out a customs form or anything. It went just like a letter.
blpender
Well, I'll let you know if this guy decides to try sending his chile seeds here....
Thanks!
FYI: Confiscated seeds/food/plant products are destroyed by incineration or if it's something like a big fleshy fruit (orange, mango etc) via garbage disposal. They are not thrown into a trash can or taken home and planted.
Ricin is the third most toxic substance. It is about 6,000 times more toxic than cyanide. If Ricin becomes airborne/inhaled it is exponentially more dangerous than if it simply touches your skin. There is no antidote for Ricin poisoning.
We don't profile :o) We use a variety of informational avenues that we kindly refer to as 'selectivity' - and if we must call it something, let's say 'target' - for further inspection :o)
That APHIS link Budgie listed is the way to go or you can check out the USDA website (www.usda.gov) or the CBP website (www.cbp.gov) and do a search from there.
This link also helps: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/permits/plantproducts/q37-2circular.pdf
USPS will tell you that a Customs Declaration form PSF 2976/2976A are not needed for post under 16 ounces...but all international mail is subject to examination by CBP. Other countries also regulate importations/exports. Failure to Declare 19 USC 1497 can cost you several thousand dollars in penalties/fines.
US Commercial importations go through a variety of hot baths/pesticides to prevent the introduction of a pest that can harm/destroy US agriculture. Some plants/trees can be imported but they must go through a quarantine period. Even the containers and wood packing materials/pallets merchandise is brought into the US also must meet certain standards.
Out here on the southern border seeds, plants/cuttings that can be propagated are seized on a daily basis. Although commercial importation is allowed certain seeds/food/plant products cannot be imported by individuals.
Keep this in mind...it only takes one gravid female to start an infestation.
CBP Officers are assigned to the ports of entries (air/land/sea), fedex/mail facilities, etc. and they enforce the law for about 27 different agencies (with regards to seeds/food/plants think USDA, Fish & Wildlife, disease and health agencies).
You might slip through the cracks as an individual shipping an envelope but if it's caught, it's destroyed and well the MIB know who you are and where you live (okay, where you get your mail but finding out where you live is a piece of cake..or is that a piece of a brownie with the funny stuff mixed in?) heh heh :o)
~ Cat
This message was edited Jan 30, 2007 10:21 PM