Import Regulations for Seeds

Ordering seeds from outside the EU? It's easier than it looks.

Gardeners and collectors all over the world import rare seeds every year – it's a normal part of the hobby. Import rules can sound complicated at first, but in practice they usually come down to a few simple steps, and in many countries small private seed orders are straightforward.

We ship your seeds as a standard postal letter or small parcel with a proper customs declaration that names the botanical species, so the authorities can see exactly what is inside.

Good to know before you order

As the importer, you are responsible for meeting your country's import rules – just like with any other purchase from abroad. We cannot refund orders that are held or destroyed by customs or plant-health authorities. If a parcel comes back to us undelivered, we refund the value of the goods – shipping costs are not refundable.

How it works – 5 simple steps

  1. Take a quick look at your country's rules – the main countries are summarised below, with links to the official websites.
  2. Check your species – use the botanical name from our product title. Most ornamental and palm seeds are not prohibited – some countries simply need a bit of paperwork.
  3. If a permit is needed, apply for it – permits are requested by the buyer, are often free, and many are valid for several years, so you only do it once. Allow a few weeks for processing.
  4. Send us your permit – email it to [email protected] with your order number. If it requires special labels or shipping to an inspection station, we will take care of that for you.
  5. Relax – if the authorities need anything, they will contact you directly.

Country notes

  • United Kingdom: good news – palms, cycads and most ornamental seeds are low risk and need no certificate. Only vegetable and crop seeds (tomato, pepper, potato, beans…) need one. See GOV.UK.
  • Switzerland, Liechtenstein: same as the EU – no certificate needed.
  • Norway: private persons may import up to 50 retail packets of seeds without a permit.
  • Canada: small quantities of seeds for propagation generally need no phytosanitary certificate; you can check your species in the CFIA AIRS database.
  • USA: the easy route is a free USDA PPQ 587 "Small Lots of Seed" permit, valid for several years (apply online via USDA APHIS eFile – up to 50 packets per order, max. 50 seeds or 10 g per packet). With the permit, the parcel goes through a USDA inspection station and is then forwarded to you.
  • New Zealand: many "Basic" species may enter without a certificate; most palms need one. Check the MPI Plant Biosecurity Index.
  • Australia: seeds need a phytosanitary certificate, and the species must be on the BICON Permitted Seeds List (most popular palms are on it).
  • Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Israel, UAE, South Africa: a phytosanitary certificate and/or an import permit is required – please check before ordering.

Cycads

A few cycads (e.g. Encephalartos) are protected under CITES Appendix I and cannot be shipped outside the EU without CITES permits. Seeds of other cycads are not restricted by CITES – the normal country rules above apply.

Questions? Just ask us in the chat or at [email protected] – we're happy to help.

Rules can change, so this page is a friendly guide rather than legal advice.