I have only been successful trading with the US and Canada. I have had several packages confiscated( 1 from India, 2 from Thailand and 1 from the phillipines) by the dept of agriculture. So my suggestion would be before you trade, check to see if there are any restrictions. L

Hi Barbie,
I have traded with Canada and Belarus and received. It is illegal though, so you seeds maybe confiscated. I do find this law sort of silly to be such a broad sweep of all seeds. Receiving tomato seeds, for example, is going to cause no harm. The law should be like Australia, only certain types of seeds are banned, and as long as the latin name is on the seeds pkts. everything is ok.
Anyway, it is best to have the sender declare something else as the contents. Also be prepared to not receive your end of the trade should customs decide to check anyway.
Remy

You can get a small seed lots permit, then it is completely legal as long as you avoid non permitted species

more info
http://www.theseedsite.co.uk/aphisfaq.html#1 - some nice person at seedsite explains this all in english

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/plant_imports/smalllots_seed.shtml - the USDA site in giberish

you can not send noxious weeds
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/plant_pest_info/weeds/downloads/weedlist2006.pdf

or anything endangered
http://ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/SpeciesReport.do?dsource=plants

or anything parasitic
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/downloads/parasitic.pdf

Check this page for not allowed species

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/plants/manuals/ports/downloads/nursery_stock.pdf

Some are not allowed at all, and others have special requirements, such as having a small seed lot permit. Most veggies are allowed with a permit. Corn is not allowed except from Canada. Okra has some special requirement to met. Look up your Latin name and check to be sure. you can also your the search feature for common name

There are lots of flowers on the list, so write down your Latin names and look them up. The list is over 300 pages long. I looked at all of it since I was curious what was not allowed. It took me hours. I also looked at all those other lists too.

permit page
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits/ppq_epermits.shtml

use form 587 to mail in your request
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/plant_health/permits/downloads/forms/ppqform587.pdf

you can do it on-line but then you have to sign up for a USDA account. They require you then take your driver's license to a service center to get your account validated. Pain in the neck!

Each packet must have a lot number. I did not understand this so e-mailed them. She said you can assign one such as 1 or A. I think this would mean each packet would need a different lot number. No clue.

Anyway. I am in the middle of this right now so have read up on it. I am getting seeds from Australia soon. They can not import beans, corn, carrots, or lettuce. Not sure why. Something political I am sure.

I think the small seed lot thing is pretty new. Before you had to have a photo sanitary certificate, which cost money you get. The small seed lot permit is free and good for 3 years.