Tropical Fruit > Tropical Fruit Buy, Sell & Trade
Seeds shipped into US
sotasty8:
Has anyone been successful with importing seed into the US and getting through customs?
I placed an order from SE Asia and US customs seized the package. The package was delivered empty with a document stating they were confiscated due to lack of Phyto Sanitation Certificate...
Was this just poor judgement on my part, or just bad luck?
Thanks for any insight.
cmichael258:
It's hit or miss.
Domnik:
sotasty8, I am not 100% sure when it comes to seeds (because many large seed sellers have different information, consciously or unconsciously breaking the law, etc.) but from what I know sending seeds and plants to the USA (regardless of quantity) without the consent of USDA is illegal and fined. This applies in particular to the species listed on the list which you will find in USDA (the list is very long). The phytosanitary certificate will not help here. What can only fool customs officers, and sometimes the pack will pass without destroying the contents, however, the import of seeds into the US without USDA approval (and certainly imports of plants) may be illegal on the basis of 7 CFR part 319 act. Call USDA and ask for details and think about obtaining official approval for a specific import (you must fill in the appropriate form PPQ587). It may save you nerves and money.
Here you have the information that the dispatch of plants and seeds requires consent:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/plants-and-plant-products-permits/ct_plantproducts
Good luck.
Dominik
Daintree:
Both replies are correct - to be legal, you must have a USDA permit, and a copy of the permit must be enclosed in the package, along with a list of the seeds and where they were collected. Additionally, there is a little green and yellow sticker that goes on the front of the package, and that sends the package to the USDA. Then they forward it on to you after they make sure there are no "nasty beasties" inside. The permit is free. When I order seeds, I email a copy of my permit, seed list for them to fill out, and a color copy of the green package label, and ask the seller to fill out the list (sometimes I do it ahead of time, to make sure botanical names are correct and readable, since that can hold up a delivery) enclose the list and permit in the package, and print a COLOR copy of the label and attach it to the package. The only thing that ever goes wrong is that they don't have access to a color printer...
On the other hand, it is pretty common to just order seeds and have them shipped over. I would guess the odds of the package not getting seized is maybe 50-50, or maybe even better. So I guess it depends on how much the seeds cost and how big the fine is, if there is one, as to whether you want to risk it.
Carolyn
JandJPalms:
--- Quote from: Daintree on June 19, 2018, 09:04:39 AM ---Both replies are correct - to be legal, you must have a USDA permit, and a copy of the permit must be enclosed in the package, along with a list of the seeds and where they were collected. Additionally, there is a little green and yellow sticker that goes on the front of the package, and that sends the package to the USDA. Then they forward it on to you after they make sure there are no "nasty beasties" inside. The permit is free. When I order seeds, I email a copy of my permit, seed list for them to fill out, and a color copy of the green package label, and ask the seller to fill out the list (sometimes I do it ahead of time, to make sure botanical names are correct and readable, since that can hold up a delivery) enclose the list and permit in the package, and print a COLOR copy of the label and attach it to the package. The only thing that ever goes wrong is that they don't have access to a color printer...
On the other hand, it is pretty common to just order seeds and have them shipped over. I would guess the odds of the package not getting seized is maybe 50-50, or maybe even better. So I guess it depends on how much the seeds cost and how big the fine is, if there is one, as to whether you want to risk it.
Carolyn
--- End quote ---
Carolyn, thanks for the summary. I am a little unclear about the permit form - I fill out my name, address, etc. Then do I sign the form and (e)mail it to USDA, and then they send ME the permit, which I then email (does it come from USDA in an emailable format?) to the international seed seller?
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