Bill Aley wrote: "Just a heads us, USDA APHIS implemented a new policy last year that many may find useful. The program is for shipping internationally into the USA small lots of seed. Small lots - less than 50 seed of any labeled species." Actually, it's even better than that. The limit is 50 seeds per packet or 10 g. per packet. That way, you don't have to count your poppy seeds or fern spores. Also, there is a limit on the number of packets which can be imported in one shipment: 50. All 50 packets can be the same taxon, but they have to be packeted as either 50 seeds per packet or 10 g. per packet. There are 16 conditions which determine what you can and can not do under this permit, and seed prohibited under other restrictions are also prohibited under this permit. So be sure to read the fine print before you order. Alpine-L has had many postings on this topic, and some of the details of the process are still being worked out. Jim McKenney jimmckenney@jimmckenney.com Montgomery County, Maryland, USA, USDA zone 7 where Galanthus elwesii is blooming in the open garden and some tazettas are about to bloom in the cold frame. My Virtual Maryland Garden http://www.jimmckenney.com/ BLOG! http://mcwort.blogspot.com/ Webmaster Potomac Valley Chapter, NARGS Editor PVC Bulletin http://www.pvcnargs.org/ Webmaster Potomac Lily Society http://www.potomaclilysociety.org/