Small Lots of Seed permit

[popper1]

I am getting some seeds with a Small Lots of seed permit and have been getting the run around.   One species has seeds that are large,  about 14 g.  I have been told I can get the seeds,  50 max,  but getting the run around trying to get an answer on how they need to be packed.   Having each seed packed in its one seems silly (although it is the government).    Has anyone ever used this type of permit and brought in large seeds?   How are they packed? 

David 

[Kevin S]

 I had one of those permits for a while but only imported smaller size seeds .  I was only allowed to import 50 sesds a variety.Maybe one of the palm tree nursery growers might have the answer.

[TexasColdHardyPalms]

Package them all togeather.  Make sure the permit details are with the package and you'll be ok.

[popper1]

That is what makes sense.   I was told by someone at APHIS that each seed had to be in its own zip lock since each seed weighs more than the 10 g.   Can't figure out why they all can't be in one bag.  

[XYZ]

David:

If you have your permit at hand, please read sections 7, 8 and 9 carefully. The person you spoke with at USDA-APHIS did indeed give you correct instructions as per the permit requirements. There is a maximum weight of 10 gm per seed allowed for this particular import permit. Thus, heavier seeds are theoretically not covered by it. Whether or not the inspection station your material comes into decides to give you a pass on bending the rules a bit is a  definite hit or miss prospect. I have not had seeds weighing 10 gm or more shipped to me of late, but do have larger seeds shipped in groups of two or three per ziplock to not run afoul of weight limits and/or an overzealous inspector.

According to my read of my own permits, you should get a USDA plant import permit to import heavy seed, plants, bulbs, etc. This is quite as easy as getting your small lots of seed permit. The additional obstacle here is that you need a phyto certificate to be included with the mailing when using this permit. Most legal sources of propagative material can provide a phyto for a small (or not) additional charge. The advantage is that all of the individual packing of seeds is avoided.

My palm and succulent seed comes in through two very by-the-book USDA inspection points (LAX and south San Francisco) by courier and mail. I always insist my shippers comply with permit requirements to the exact wording of the permit and thus far have never had any material held up at all. Quite the contrary, I routinely get seed airmailed from northern Queensland that arrives in my mailbox in California less than 10 days after being mailed from that end and having gone through the inspection process at the USDA-APHIS Oyster Point station and then re-mailed to me.

BTW, be sure an include a generously stamped, self addressed bubble wrap pouch with corresponding USDA station address (see the label) as sender of a size that will hold your seed import when you send your supplier permits and the green and yellow labels. Otherwise your material may be delayed while you get a rush FedEx or UPS acct opened to have your seed shipped from your designated inspection station to you.

Good luck,

J