Importing Seeds into the US
Small Lots of Seed Program.
More information on the scheme is on the APHIS website:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ppq/Q37/smalllotsseed.html
To comply with the US rules for Importing Small Lots of Seed,
seeds sent to a person in the US must follow this procedure:
Labelling and packing seeds:
- Seeds must not be sent in seedpods, berries or fruit
- Seeds must be cleaned. There must be no debris, dust, chaff, insects or pesticide in the packet
- Each packet of seeds must be securely sealed so that seeds cannot leak out
- Each packet of seeds must contain only one type of seed.
- Each packet of seeds must contain no more than 50 seeds (or 10g)
- Each packet of seeds must be labelled with the correct botanical (Latin) name
- Each packet of seeds must have the name of the sender written on it
- Each packet of seeds must have the country of origin written on it
- Each packet must be properly labelled on the outside.
The label should NOT be put inside the packet with the seeds.Listing the seeds and sending the package:
- The package must include a copy of the Permit
- The seeds must be the type of seeds specified on the Permit
('eligible taxa' means any seeds which are not prohibited)- There must be no more than 50 packets of seed in the package
- The package must include a list of all the seeds enclosed,
in alphabetical order of their botanical name, and indicating
the name and address of the sender, and
the country of origin of the seeds- If there are a lot of packets, you may number the packets,
and write the corresponding number on the alphabetical list of seeds- The package must include a label addressed to the importer in the US
- The package must be sent to the Inspection Station using the green and yellow label supplied
- The package must NOT be sent to an individual in the US
- Postage from the exporter to the US Inspection Station must be paid by the exporter
- It is recommended that seeds are sent in a bubble or padded envelope by Airmail
(You may find it useful to print out these instructions. A suitable form to list the seeds on can be printed on the back)