I think the instructions on the USDA APHIS Small Lots of Seed <https://aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/…> permit are a bit confusing for postage, but Robert seems correct to my understanding. With the purchase of postage by the foreign exporter to the U.S.A., that postage will suffice to send it from the foreign location, to the inspection location at a port, then to my home / business address. It is treated as a postage forwarding of mail. However, that doesn't seem to be the case with a shipping company such as DHL or Fed Ex. It is shipped from the foreign location to the inspection port. Then, the carrier needs payment to ship it from the port to me. See this instruction at this url explaining use of the green/yellow stickers we use for the permit. The hyperlink may work. If not, it's printed below. The stickers are actually called "form PPQ 508" (see the lower left of your green/yellow sticker!) Shipping Requirements for Importing Plant and Plant Products Requiring Green and Yellow (PPQ 508) Labels <https://aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/…> https://aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/… The third and fourth paragraphs on that page differentiate packages sent by "mail" and those sent by "courier" *Third paragraph reads:* "When shipments are to be imported by *MAIL,* the permittee should request a green and yellow mailing label for each parcel. (it goes on to give those instructions, but forgets to mention that the foreign shipper will also need to affix international mail postage) *Fourth paragraph reads:* "If the shipment is to be delivered by an *EXPRESS CARRIER*, such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, etc., the address on the international airway bill must be the intended Plant Inspection Station (PIS). DO NOT INCLUDE PERSONAL SHIPMENT ADDRESS. In addition, include a pre-paid domestic airway bill with your account number inside the box from the carrier of your choice that will ensure delivery to the final destination. That last sentence is the kicker. And then, the yellow/green sticker information page also contains more info: "Underlying packaging/wrapping must carry the address, a prepaid delivery waybill, carrier account number, or postage must be included and any other information required to direct the shipment to its final destination. USDA APHIS does not defray any additional shipping costs for transiting the shipment through an inspection station as the initial US destination. I have assumed that with a regular envelope or package dropped in the mail by a foreign shipper will have "POSTAGE INCLUDED," but a waybill delivered to the inspection station will not, and that's when a "prepaid waybill, carrier account number" must then be provided. Confusing? Yeah. But the distinction it makes is understandable. I've never used a carrier, so I haven't tested this. Carrier seems the more expensive, but quicker, more reliable? Ken Isaac > *Mail travel time* > > *Mike Rummerfield via pbs (Mon, 30 Aug 2021 10:41:17 PDT)* > > > > > *I second Robin's commentss.I have never had to pay additional postage to > have packages forwarded aftergoing through APHIS inspection.* > > > *MikeWestern Washington* > > > On Mon, Aug 30, 2021 at 7:21 AM R Hansen via pbs < > pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net> wrote: > > > > > > > *APHIS within the US is supposed to forward all mail and packages > withoutcharge. There should be no need for additional postage. This has > been myexperience, so if you're having to pay extra to have APHIS mail the > packageon from inspection, there's something wrong and you need to contact > them atthe email a member just sent to the List.* > > > *Robin HansenCoquille, Oregon* > _______________________________________________ pbs mailing list pbs@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net http://lists.pacificbulbsociety.net/cgi-bin/… Unsubscribe: <mailto:pbs-unsubscribe@lists.pacificbulbsociety.net>