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Gardening in the UK

Info on shipping seeds to UK

20 years ago

I am across the pond in New York state and want to ship seeds from my garden to my brother and sister in law and neice in South Wales. Will there be any problem shipping the seeds to them? How should I label the customs form to insure that they won't be confiscated by the postal inspectors. Any tips on shipping would be greatly appreciated.

Penny

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Comments (4)

shrubs_n_bulbs
20 years ago
Strictly you would require a phytosanitary certificate. There are official exemptions for small numbers of seeds carried in personal baggage but these do not apply to mailed seeds.

In practice I have never known a small personal seed package to be delayed or confiscated, even where the package carries a US customs sticker stating that it contains seeds.
crazylady
20 years ago
I've never had any problems. Over the years, two packages (I think both from Holland!) have been opened and examined by Customs, but nothing has been taken out.

I'm currently running an International Seed Swap. I've done them for four or five years, with seeds coming from (and going to) several countries in Europe and Canada, and nothing's ever been confiscated.
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penny1947
Original Author
20 years ago
Thank you Shrubs and Bulbs and Crazy Lady for taking the time to respond to my post. I have a nice little packet that I am going to send out this week and I will hope for the best.

Penny
penny1947
Original Author
20 years ago
Well I received an email from my neice on Saturday morning stating that she received the seeds. They arrived 4 days after shipping them to her. She was very surprised as I had not told her they were coming in case they didn't make it. I have also sent her the link to this forum so I am hoping she will check it out.

Crazy Lady, I checked out your website and your photos are fantastic!!!! I sure wish I was able to trade seed with you. You have some really awsome plants.

THanks again

Penny

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