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Post by blackox on Mar 8, 2014 15:41:38 GMT -5
I'm importing some seed into the U.S. and want to make sure that they get here. Does anybody know the regulations/rules for importing seed into the U.S.?
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Post by billw on Mar 8, 2014 15:51:33 GMT -5
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Post by boutiquetomatoes on Mar 8, 2014 17:50:17 GMT -5
The Small Lots of Seed program is straightforward permit to get, but doing everything strictly legit, meaning a Phytosanitary Certificate, sending the shipment through the inspection station and additional shipping costs made getting some rare seeds out of an Taiwan seed bank quite expensive a few years back. On the flip side I've had other seeds coming from multiple countries just drop them in the mail without issue.
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Post by blackox on Mar 9, 2014 8:51:36 GMT -5
Thanks Boutique and Billw!
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Post by blackox on Mar 9, 2014 19:43:03 GMT -5
Now... who exactly to I contact? I'm guessing either send a letter to the address or maybe call customer service (probably not)? I'm new at this...
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Post by boutiquetomatoes on Mar 10, 2014 8:16:32 GMT -5
Depends on the company. I have the best luck with calling if you're looking for commercial seed, but you can always try email. That also can depend on if you speak the language. Google translate can at least get you as far as "Hello, is there someone there who speaks English?"
A couple of years ago I called the company that produces most of the commercial Hungarian Paprika varieties grown for powders because I did a little research and found that our local growing climate was almost identical to the areas that are famous for it there. After a little back and forth they just sent me eval packets of a 100 seeds or so of each type I was interested in via regular mail.
On the flip side I imported tomato seeds from a seed bank in Taiwan that year as well, it took 3-4 months for everything to be processed and cost more than a $1 a seed by the time they were in my hands and that all had to be done in writing.
Emails are easy for customer service people to ignore, an overseas phone call says you're serious is my philosophy.
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