Hi Larry,

I traded seeds with a lady from the Netherlands. When she sent the seeds she wrote on a customs form the names of all of the seeds that were in the envelope. They were all confiscated and I received an empty envlope and a note from the US customs. The next time she taped them inside a greeting card (no customs form) and there was no problem. I did the same when sending her seeds and they all arrived.

Carol

the ony thing i ever mailed to UK was a gift box, it got there fine, you could always call the 1-800 number to the post office n ask:)

ive mailed seeds and plants to Canada both with no problems

The free international exchange of seeds is one of the rights we lost when our wonderful Homeland Security (what a misnomer!) took over the running of America. They said they wanted to reduce the chance that terrorists could ship seeds contaminated with one thing or another.

HOWEVER, you can import seeds from anywhere PROVIDED that you have them inspected and pay a large fee. The fact that any terrorist with half a brain could fill out the paperwork and pay the fee and then ship contaminated seed has totally escaped them.

Our government morons are reveling in all this control.

Google '545 people' to see who these idiots are.

Sue

You can file US Dept. of Agriculture form OMB No. 0579-0049 to apply for a "small lots of seeds" permit to import seeds from the UK and/or other countries you specify. Seeds take an additional 2-3 weeks to receive as they make their way through the system, but unless you have imported a noxious weed or a few other prohibited species, you will receive them.
There are restrictions. For instance, you may not import more than 50 well labeled seed packets at one time, and packets may not contain more than 50 seeds each. You can get specific information about labeling requirements and more on the APHIS website.
I can attest that although it is not practical if you need your seeds right away, it works.
Alana

I just did a trade from Hungary. I recieved my seeds with no problems and he sent them in an envelope. I sent his seeds in a large envelope, and I had to fill out a green customs sticker. Now he said there are no seed restrictions to Hungary. So I hope he will recieve them without a problem. However, I did have to write seeds on the label, only becasue I mentioned it. I would suggest just sending them wrapped and just write gift on the form instead of seeds. I am not one to break laws, but for a few seeds, how rediculous of a worryment we have to go through. Agreeing with Sue, what a great thanks to Homeland Security! (sarcasm) If a terrorist was going to import something on seeds, he would not be telling the truth anyway, and will not fill out forms telling anybody that he is sending the seeds in the first place.
Save yourself a lot of time and money, and just send them in a well hiddenway. Like a Hallmark card like Carol said. Christy

Just a FYI, I have adopted an "internet sister" in Canada and she has internet friends in the UK as well as a couple of other countries. When I send them items, I ALWAYS use a generic birthday card or wrap the box in birthday paper and then white paper for the addressing and nobody ever gives us a problem. I'm paying full price for the postage "service" haha, so what do they care what I ship? On the customs papers, the lady at the post office fills in "gift" for me as she can see the wrapping paper. :)

Hello Everybody,
Thanks for all your replies and help.. will take all suggestions under advisement... may just get a get well card..smile.
Once again, thanks everybody..
Larry