Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

• Plant and animal products are regulated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Some seeds require a permit in order to be transported into and through the United States. Some seeds are allowed into the U.S. without a permit if they meet certain criteria, such as not being a parasitic plant or not being on the noxious weeds species listing.
  
  

Regulations and Permits

• The regulations governing seed import and export are complicated. Different types of imports have different required forms and permits. Read more about it at the AHIS website, or contact AHIS to speak to a representative.
  
  Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
  (301) 734-0841
  Toll-free automated system: (877) 770-5990
  Fax: (301) 734-5786
  http://www.aphis.usda.gov
  Permits@aphis.usda.gov
  
  On the website, you will also find downloadable forms for some seeds that carry a permit requirement. The forms can be submitted online or faxed or mailed in when they have been completed.
  
  The list of items not permitted to cross into the border changes frequently, so always check before you travel. You can see the list at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website: help.cbs.gov.
  
  Seeds are handled slightly differently than other matter, so check the above AHIS website also. Even if you check the list before you come to the border, there is no guarantee that the item will still be permitted when you arrive.
  
  

Declaring Materials

• When crossing the border, you must declare (tell the border agents) about any plant or animal materials you have with you. If you do not declare these items, they will be immediately seized, even if they are permitted materials. You must also inform the agent of any permits you have for the seeds.
  
  The APHIS listing of restricted plants varies from country to country. Some items are permitted in certain ports but not others, depending on elements such as geographical location, current alerts and other changing factors.