I have seen it all now with customs , apart from the usual fees and run around. It turns out I can import live snails to eat all my seedlings. That is if I can get the seeds in the first place through customs, I can now have snails to my list of troubles. Not that you dont get enough trouble trying to import seeds. Who writes these rules! 🤣

I understand your frustration . I think , for now , my desire to import seeds or plants has diminished as fees everywhere rise . Here , costs are going up disproportionately to affordability. I understand the idea of biosafety and all , but the cost is driving some into smuggling mode. I have an idea of what it takes to germinate palm seeds and it is a lot of time and a bit of work. I get my seeds for free but still spend on soil and containers . I admire your dedication to the palms , I can only imagine the amount of effort and $$ required. Harry

Richard, be strong and courageous, but they don't understand that you are an honest person and that you work to get food and other basic necessities.

19 hours ago, Harry’s Palms said:

I understand your frustration . I think , for now , my desire to import seeds or plants has diminished as fees everywhere rise . Here , costs are going up disproportionately to affordability. I understand the idea of biosafety and all , but the cost is driving some into smuggling mode. I have an idea of what it takes to germinate palm seeds and it is a lot of time and a bit of work. I get my seeds for free but still spend on soil and containers . I admire your dedication to the palms , I can only imagine the amount of effort and $$ required. Harry

The good thing is I respect our bio security laws, not just because it’s the law but for our environment in Australia.

Would I attempt to smuggle seeds or anything not on my life would I do so. One thing I know is don’t muck with customs Australia. One strike and it’s game over for importing seeds.

It’s a passion for palms that keeps me importing seeds, that and for my garden, plus I get varieties of palms that are just not available, especially at the price I can get the seeds for.

It’s getting more expensive to do anything now, let alone import seeds for a hobby.

Years ago I rode enduro motorcycles, it was my sport and it was reasonably cheap to do so, now that sport cost you money, same as deep sea fishing and owning a boat, it’s cheaper just to go to the fish shop now and buy the fish you want.

But when it comes to my garden I spare no exspense!

Richard

16 hours ago, gyuseppe said:

Richard, be strong and courageous, but they don't understand that you are an honest person and that you work to get food and other basic necessities.

The government has two chances of stopping me importing seeds, bucklys and none!

I have worked all my life since I left school at age 15, iam happy with my life, through hard work and perseverance the rewards are worth it!

Prob an incentive for more French cuisine in daily Australian menu! Btw people love snails also in Crete, they sauté them with olive oil mixing in subsequently Rosemarie, vinegar and flour.