I had a trade with a member from the Netherlands and the envelope came today and there was a notice in it that the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture confiscated the seeds, all of them due to "quaratine regulations." I have noticed that some traders put on their list that they will only trade within the U.S. is this why? Does this happen often? Our post office said no problem when I sent my end out. I'm not sure if this is where I am supposed to ask this question or not. If it's not, I am sorry.
Thank you for your help,
Kathy
CLOSED: The US Dept of Ag. took the seeds from my trade with Neth.
what seeds were you supposed to get?
I feel so bad, I hate for that member to lose her seeds and waste her money on postage. I told her that someone will know what we need to do so it doesn't happen again. Customs even listed the seeds, lol. Our post office just had me fill out a paper when I sent my seeds to the Netherlands, I'm guessing that is what needs to be done over there so they can come into the U.S.? It says 'prohibited material removed and destroyed. Propegative material requires a phytosanitary certificate for entry into the U.S."
2 packets of Verbena hastata
1 packet of Pimpinella soxifraga
1 packet Lupinus polyphyllus
1 packet of Knautica macedonia
1 pakcet Helenium sp.
1 packet Cimicifuga ramosa
1 packet Verbascum shaxil
1 packet Oenothera triicolor
I've traded with The Netherlands and had no problem receiving my seeds...luck of the draw, I guess. They'll have no problem receiving seeds from you. There was a post earlier on this forum regarding going through the Ag Dept. to become licensed to import small lots of seeds, which is what I've now done so as to not encounter problems, but have not gotten seeds from outside the US since then. There are lists of which seeds are not allowed in, also.
I just shipped seeds to The Netherlands today. Hope they go through.
It's my understanding that they have no problems receiving seeds.
When i was on Prince Edward Island in August, i was not allowed to buy ANY seeds to bring home. They told me it was illegal, and that nursery has a US catalog where they have all the required permits, etc filed, because it is too much paperwork for an individual customer to do. i was really disappointed and thought about buying some anyway, i doubted that customs was going to go through our car in detail, but then i thought about all the horror stories of people importing plants that turn out invasive and i thought, well never mind.
i've always wondered how it worked here when people ship seeds from one continent to another!
amy
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(not a trader, just a lurker)
Receiving seeds into the U.S. requires a phytosanitary certificate. Some overseas commercial sellers will provide this for a cost of $30 on up.
I've had seeds confiscated also. It seems seeds going through Chicago customs are more apt to be confiscated. If she's willing to send you more you might find a DG member who lives on the east, west or south coast and have the seeds sent to them, and they forward the seeds to you if they make it through.
The form they put in your envelope probably also mentioned that you could be punished with a large fine or incarceration.
Sorry for the bad news. You might want to take a look at the Morning Glory forum...there's a thread over there about this very subject.
Sandy
I'm confused. Is it the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture or Customs that won't let seeds in the U.S. without this permit?
Hmmm. I've been waiting for seeds to come in from Spain. I know my seeds reach Spain wonder if mine will make it here? Mine were all tree seeds and nothing invasive.
The notice in the envelope says;
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
Plant Protection and Quarantine
MAIL INTERCEPTION NOTICE
Port of Entry Chicago, Illinois
I've had several envelopes of seeds confiscated coming in through Chicago. I have pretty much given up trading with other countries because of it.
It's easy to send seeds out to certain other country's because they do not restrict what plants will be imported like the US. The country itself has plants that are not to be imported even with permits (with very few exceptions), some that may be imported with the right paper work and the rest don't matter. On top of that some states have there own restrictions, especially Hawaii and Alaska. California is not altogether welcoming of everything either. Invasive is not the only reason to deny plants. Possibility of insects is another reason to not allow plants. Also, just because it says "daisy" does not mean it's daisy seeds. Thats kinda at the discretion of U.S.D.Ag. Seems Chicago is a bit of a chump.
oh and a phytosanitary certificate means someone looked at the seeds and said they are pest and disease free, they may be shipped. I do not know how to get one though.
customs stops the seeds because of restrictions from U.S.D.Ag
Contact your closest Animal Plant Health Inspection Service office--they can answer all your questions. Find them in the phone book under Federal Goverment (usually the blue government pages), or on-line. Tell them what you want to receive, and from where, and they can guide you.
Thank you all for your help.
Kathy
guspuppy
Just out of curiosity, was there one of those green declation labels on the shipment?
I don't remember there being a green label on it but here is the form that was inside. I blacked out the addresses.
Kathy
Gus,
First off, I am sorry about your trade....it's really annoying, isn't it?
You need to be APHIS certified to be able to legally import small lots of seed. Under 50 seeds per species, so really small lots in some cases (like poppies -- 50 seeds is nothing!)
All you do is fill out the paperwork online (or print the form and mail it in). In less than 3 weeks you'l receive all your paperwork in a little packet.
You can go to the usps.gov website to see what each country forbids entry. For the Netherlands it is live plants, live or dead animals, lottery tickets, and fireworks and bombs. :)
When you send your seeds, you need to send a copy of your permit, the directions to your trader, and also a green & yellow sticker, all of which are furnished to you in your packet (although you'll need to make copies of the directions and your permit)
The websites are:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/smalllots_seed.shtml
This message was edited Feb 23, 2008 10:52 PM
This message was edited Feb 24, 2008 2:09 PM
This message was edited Mar 9, 2008 8:20 PM
¡Hola VanillaMan! ¿Como estás?
Bienvenido a DG. ¿Le gusta vivir en Costa Rica?
amy
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Vanillaman,
I love your peach 4 O'Clocks, they are GORGEOUS!!
Kathy
Thank you for the links, Illoquin.
IIIoquin,
I went to the first link and filled out the info and will go file this coming week. The second link however to get the permit doesnt work, do you have another?
thank you, Kathy
The second link was a short cut to the permit form, so it sounds like you already have it.
Youre welcome -- it really is pretty easy, mostly just a nuisance. The things I can't get over is you have to have one form Canada, too, and that's just nonsense.
Where was the link to Vanillaman's peach Four O'Clocks? I want to see them.
the 4'0clocks are on his member page, but he wrote back and said that isn't a pic of his. Too bad, they are gorgeous!
Suzy, did you have to have a level 1 or a level 2 for the permit.
LOL! Whatever the cheapest, easiest and fastest was. I have a 50 pack limit and a 50 seed per pack limit, so I'm sure it's the baby permit.
Suzy
I can't get past any of links, I thinks something is screwed up on their site or my computer doesn't recognize their codes. I couldn't even print out the application.
Guspuppy,
Usually mail from the Netherlands enters via New York. In this case you'll get your seeds because they don't seem to make a problem out of it. Every now and then they enter through Chicago and then there's a good chance your seeds will be lost.
I send lots of seeds to the States. Must have been about 100 envies by now. Only one got snatched, two simply disappeared and the rest arrived in good order.
You must have been unlucky this time!
BTW, have you got mine already?
FYI-- Seeds entering from TX get snatched too.
This is part of the problem with too much government and big government.... we are all gradually losing our freedom.....................a well intentioned loss of freedom , of course!!
Sorry... did not want to break DG political talk rule ... just a thought
Guspuppy - I usually get seeds from the Netherlands without a problem ever. Done it about 3 times now. But I am not sure if mine goes through New York, but I assume so. Additionally, I will be applying for that permit using the PPQ Form 587. I think I'll do it both for the plants and seeds. Hope that helps you out.
Rebecca30
Chicago makes sense for being a problem for seeds. They grow most of our food out there so who knows what coming from a foreign country to be planted here, I can see how they might be twitchy. It's like imporating citrus trees into Fla.
Sorry you had a problem. I got seeds from the Netherlands...no problem and in good condition.
This message was edited Mar 9, 2008 8:19 PM
The rule against seeds was on the books for a long time & then suddenly enforced. Now a permit is needed. Annoying, but at the same time who let the lily leaf beetle into the country. They are also a pain.
I understand that there has to be regulations in place for protection, bugs, disease and all. I was just surprized since our post office said no problem, I feel terrible that that member is going to resend the seeds. I have trades with the Netherlands before and not had a problem. Live and learn my Mom used to say.
I've gotten several trades from the Netherland from at least 3 people. Tuinkabouter is one of them.. Probable just got hold of an over zealous postal worker, didn't have enough to do.
I keep expecting it to happen and wouldn't be surprised. Somebody working in the PO noticed the package rattles and thinks it's some kind of drug or a bomb or something to poison Postal workers.
My trades with the Netherlands have always been great.....but you know the world we live in!!
This message was edited Mar 9, 2008 8:25 PM