Please read this message from Joyce Fingerut regarding use of the Small Lots of Seeds import permit. Jim Shields >Date: Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:19:52 -0400 >From: Joyce Fingerut <alpinegarden@COMCAST.NET> >Subject: [ALPINE-L] Seed exports to the U.S. >To: ALPINE-L@NIC.SURFNET.NL > >To Canadian and overseas exporters of seed to the U.S.: > >I have been advised, by an APHIS Inspector, of problems with shipments >of seed entering the U.S. under the Small Lots of Seed permit. The >seeds themselves seem to be fine, but the packaging and labeling have >not met all of the Conditions on the Small Lots of Seed permit. > >You want to be certain that your hard work, either collecting and >cleaning seeds, or working to fill U.S. members' requests for seed, is >not in vain and that your seeds find their way into the U.S. So >please take a moment to read and follow these guidelines and the >instructions on pages 2 and 3 of the Permit. > >Every packet of seed must be labeled with the exporter's name and the >name of the seed, as well as the country of origin. >If all of the seed is from one country (although not necessarily from >one site), you may write on the Invoice: >"Unless otherwise noted, all seed is from _________." >This will save you from having to write the same country name on all >the individual packets of garden-collected seed. All packets of wild- >collected seed from countries other than your home will need to have >the country of origin noted. Please be aware that it must have the >name of a country, not simply a mountain range or a region (e.g.: >Tadjikistan, not Pamir Mountains; Russia, not Caucasus). > >Seal the seed packet securely! >Tape, or fold down the corners to prevent leaks. Open packets are >simply not allowed entry into the U.S.: seed can leak out and into >other packets, and bugs and contaminating debris can get in. Such >packets (indeed, the whole shipment) could be destroyed at the >Inspection Station. > >The Invoice for the shipment is equally important. Use a clean sheet >of paper, and type (or print legibly) the full names of all the taxa >in your shipment - in alphabetical order, please. Be sure that your >name and address are legible at the top. Add any information you care >to write about collection numbers, or characteristics of the plant, >but be sure to write the country of origin for each taxon of both >garden- and wild-collected plants - or use the alternative blanket >statements covering all taxa (as mentioned above). > >Be sure to send only 50 packets of seed in each shipment. Each >individual packet must contain 50 seeds or 10 grams, whichever is >MORE. And, of course, make certain that none of your seeds are on the >list of restricted or prohibited taxa: >http://nargs.org/index.php/… > >These permit conditions are no more than what was required under the >old import regulations - but without the cost and bother of a >phytosanitary certificate. In "the old days," the requirements simply >weren't enforced. Those days are gone, and all seeds are now >assiduously inspected, whether entering with a phyto or under the >Small Lots of Seed permit. >So it goes..... > >Please feel free to cross-post this guide to other listservs. >Thank you - >Joyce > > >Joyce Fingerut >Stonington, Connecticut, U.S.A. >Zone 6 > ************************************************* Jim Shields USDA Zone 5 Shields Gardens, Ltd. P.O. Box 92 WWW: http://www.shieldsgardens.com/ Westfield, Indiana 46074, USA Tel. ++1-317-867-3344 or toll-free 1-866-449-3344 in USA