Yes, it has an expiration date. The permits are issued for 3 years. The process is extremely easy. It's much harder to get permission to make applications online. I haven't even completed that process since I must go show my identification at a USDA verification station. Haven't had a day off when they are open. I just faxed in the application to make the process faster. It only took 21 days. I was surprised at their definition of a small lot of seeds. It was more generous than I expected. You can get 50 seeds of one type. A package can contain up to 50 different types of seeds. The permit comes with references to lists of seeds/plants that cannot be imported. Of course, you can have the permit revoked for trying to import these. Now, I need to make some contacts. I'm hoping to bring in some pepper seeds and brug seeds.

Legally speaking, as long as the seeds are not on one of the CITES lists for endangered or threatened species, and are not on a provincial list of noxious weeds, then you are allowed to import a certain amount of seeds for personal use (off the top of my head, I think the amount is 500g, but I can look it up and provide the references if you wish). You do not need a phytosanitary certificate to import seeds into Canada (you do for plants, except under very specific circumstances). There are no duties applied to seeds, but if your order is valued at $20 CAN or more, GST is applicable (if it's a gift, then the amount is $60 or more). The postal clerk or delivery man will collect that at the time of delivery. NOTE: GST is not always charged or collected because it's a pain in the rear to do so, so they often let it slip through without charging you. Practically speaking, many US companies do not ship to Canada. It may be difficult to find the seeds you want at a place that ships to Canada. One thing I have done in the past is to have them sent to a friend or family member in the US and have them forward them on to me (costs the friend or family member postage). It may be simpler to order plants from Richter's, as ianna suggested, they're a Canadian Company and not that bad - I do find them overpriced, but they're often the only place to get what you want. BP

Tova, seeds are generally not a problem. The only time they might be is if the plant was on the list of a banned seed/plant in Canada, such as some weeds or plants prone to certain diseases I suppose. In fact, usually seeds are just shipped in a single envelope and arrive direct in your mail box. Sometimes, however, customs ask you to pay duty/GST but most times they don't, especially if it's a low value item. (I think in theory they have a right to collect for every item, but usually a small item they'll let go by without paying). Another great source to buy seeds from (in general) is the UK. I found the shipping from the UK to Canada to be faster than the service from the USA. Not sure why. Though you may want to buy from the USA because of the favorable exchange rate. Unfortunately, it sounds like a hassle to actually order live plants. If you check the internet, you will see a lot of unique nurseries but most are located in the USA. I've been tempted many times, they have a lot of specialty nurseries. Some won't ship live plants to Canada. Others might, but charge a fee for a phytosanitary certificate which possibly makes it expensive cost-wise. I think another potential problem is that the plant might arrive dead by the time it clears customs. Even though they might not necessarily charge duty, they reserve the right to inspect each package and sometimes a package will spend a week or more at customs waiting to be searched. All during which time the poor plant is probably drying out. Glen

This is probably more than you want to know, but this is from www.aphis.usda.gov..USDA anyway... Small Lots of Seed Lots of seed may be imported without a phytosanitary certificate under the following conditions: (1) The importation of the seed is authorized by a written permit specifically for small lots of seed. Permits are usually valid for 3 years and cover multiple importations. (2) The seed is not of any prohibited genus listed under 7 CFR 319.37-2; is not of any Federal noxious weed species; does not require an additional declaration on a phytosanitary certificate; does not require treatment; is not a parasitic plant; is not genetically modified; is not pelleted, coated, or imbedded in growing media, seed tape, cloth, or similar materials. (3) If the seed is a field/agricultural crop or vegetable, it meets the requirements of the Federal Seed Act import provisions in 7 CFR 361. (4) If the seed is regulated under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) or the Endangered Species Act, it meets the additional requirements. (5) The seed meets the following packaging and shipping requirements: (i) A typed or legibly printed seed list/invoice accompanies each shipment with the name of the collector/shipper, the botanical names (at least to genus, preferably to species level) listed alphabetically, as well as the country of origin, and country shipped from, for each taxon. Each seed packet is clearly labeled with the name of the collector/shipper, the country of origin, and the scientific name at least to the genus, and preferably to the species, level. The invoice/seed list may provide a code for each lot, which may be used on the seed packets in lieu of the full list of required information. In this case, each packet must at least include the appropriate code, which is referenced to the entry for that packet on the seed list/invoice. (ii) There are a maximum of 50 seeds of 1 taxon (taxonomic category such as genus, species, cultivar, etc.) per packet; or a maximum weight not to exceed 10 grams of seed of 1 taxon per packet; (iii) There are a maximum of 50 seed packets per shipment; (iv) The seeds are free from pesticides; (v) The seeds are securely packaged in packets or envelopes and sealed to prevent spillage [Note: we recommend that seeds are packed in resealable, clear plastic envelopes to facilitate inspection]; (vi) The shipment is free from soil, plant material other than seed, other foreign matter or debris, seeds in the fruit or seed pod, and living organisms such as parasitic plants, pathogens, insects, snails, mites; and (vii) At the time of importation, the shipment is sent to an approved port of entry listed in the permit. This post was edited by kclost on Fri, Jan 17, 14 at 14:21