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Post by barkingdog on Dec 31, 2008 12:14:34 GMT -5
I just stumbled onto this thread. I've just sent a parcel to Dave and have written 'seeds' on the Customs note. Have I made a fatal error? barkingdog
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Post by americangardener on Dec 31, 2008 13:09:09 GMT -5
I regularly send seed to the state and so far no one has destroyed it though I know they can be difficult. Maybe I should start writing 'beads'. There really shouldn't be any problem sending seeds to the US. Even with the declaration sticker saying seeds on it. I've read the compiled federal regulations and we are allowed for personal use to import 50 packets of seeds of 50 or less without a permit. Now the phytosantitary cert, might be a different story. Technically all seeds need one of those.. even just one packet. But, to read the regulations it's not clear on that. And i've received hundreds of envelopes of seeds, with the declaration stickers saying seeds, and never once have they sent the envelopes to the USDA inspection station and had them opened. But, then again.. they could if they decide to. I'll let you in on another secret... write "for research" on the sticker. They have different rules for importing seeds for agricultural use and for research and experimentation use. According to the CFR researchers and breeders are allowed to import small amounts of seed without permits. What is required is the declaration on the outside saying research or experimentation or breeding. What do they consider small amounts? Up to ten pounds of tomato or pepper seeds.. and also alot of the other lighterweight seeds... and up to 400 lbs of beans, peas, corn, etc.. That's what's considered small amounts! You gotta remember these rules were written with the importation of tons of seeds in mind. I actually think it's ridiculous to require phytosanity certs for small packages. The whole reason for those is to keep out noxious weeds. Yet for large shipments they're allowed a certain percentage of weed seeds in those. Even if a small package was nothing but weeds.. it'd still be miniscule compared with what is allowed already in a shipload of seed. Makes no sense to spend upwards of 100 bucks for a certificate in some countries. I still do get those when it's a large shipment.. say 20 lbs or so... but for small envelopes and even packages.. i'd rather take my chances without one. There's also the chance if they do send a package to USDA for inspection, that they'll forward it to me even without the certification. They are allowed to do that... it's just it might take em alot longer. Now, as for sending packages out of the US. Well my post office just loves to give me a hard time on everything. They just sent Judes package back asking for a customs form. I'm just going to remail it from a different post office without one. According to our postal regulations.. they do not require a customs form for non-dutiable packages mailed first class international that are under 16 ounces. And i'm a stubborn cuss. I'm writing non-dutiable on the outside of Judes package and re-mailing it in a nearby city. I sure hope it makes it. I figure it'd be better than lying on a custom form. And then if i do put germplasm on the sticker.. there's a chance that would hold it up for inspection in your country. I don't know your country's importation rules.. but why bother? If they're gonna open a package to make sure it's non-dutiable then they'd most likely open one that says beads. My post office is just full of idiots. They also sent back another envelope that i had mailed with a note saying to add 92 cents more postage. According to their own USPS website.. my envelope fits every one of the requirements for letter rates. It's the right size, contains a letter, and it's not over the width allowed. So what if it's a bubble mailer. It fits every requirement for a letter.. and even on their own website they say under the description of first class letters to put things like pens or anything you don't want damaged in a bubble envelope. That's exactly what i did... and i'll be damned if i'm gonna pay package rates for an envelope that fits every single requirement for letter rates. Like i said my post office is full of idiots.. they just love to overcharge people. So, just so ya know they're not real happy with me right now, cause i'm still gonna be paying letter rates unless it's over the size limits. Oh well.. i'm just letting off steam.. they do this from time to time. Then it will go back to them actually following the rules.
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Post by Rebsie on Jan 3, 2009 18:04:15 GMT -5
Wow Michael, you're very efficient. OSU Blue Fruit received today (gibber gibber) and some Green Tiger on its way up the M6 in return. Thanks so much.
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Post by michaeljohnson on Jan 5, 2009 0:25:17 GMT -5
Anytime-Rebsie, no probs
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Post by Rebsie on Jan 5, 2009 6:25:00 GMT -5
Paola, your package arrived safely this morning, thank you. And what lovely hand-made seed packets! I especially appreciate them having "restickable" glue on one edge, since I'm the kind of person who has to open packets of beans and have a look at them as soon as I get them.
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Post by tuttamatta on Jan 5, 2009 21:40:27 GMT -5
Hello Rebsie, thank you for your compliments on my seed packets, I understand what you mean on having to open them and checking them out....I'm the same!!!! And thank you for letting me know that they arrived safely. Paola
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Post by canadamike on Jan 5, 2009 22:17:34 GMT -5
Paola's handmade packets are just plain wonderful. It would be great if you took some pictures Paola, maybe make a little tuttorial, I have never seen anything like that, they look soooooo professional. I am jealous and envious ;D The simple and very efficient ideas are always the HARDEST to have. You did beat the crap out of a LOT of people here... Congrats on your creativity!!!
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Post by tuttamatta on Jan 5, 2009 23:01:08 GMT -5
Thank you very much on all those compliments, Michel, on my seed packets! I am still working on figuring out how to explain the process to everybody on this forum without having to buy extra software... if any of you out there has Microsoft Picture It! it would be simple to explain, other than that I am exploring Gimp (a free software available for downloading) to see if I can work out the same results. Anybody out there good with this stuff? Paola
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Post by houseodessey on Jan 6, 2009 19:39:50 GMT -5
Rebsie:
I would try any or all of the pole beans. I have a lot of Native American beans. Jacob's cattle, Christmas Lima, Indian yellow woman (i think that's what it's called), tepary and some more that I can't remember. The only pole beans I have are rattlesnake but I'd send those too if you don't have them yet.
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Post by wolfcub on Jan 8, 2009 17:49:57 GMT -5
Hi Rebsie I would also like to try all of the pole beans if you have any left. Thank you for you offer. I don't have much to trade at this time as my trades for the seeds I had are complete.
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