Opuntiads of the USA

(by Joe Shaw and Dave Ferguson)

Mission

Opuntia Species

Opuntia Country No. 1
Opuntia Country No. 2
Opuntia Country No. 3
Opuntia Country No. 4
Opuntia Country No. 5

Opuntia Country with
Daiv Freeman

Opuntia County, Big Bend

World Opuntiads

Peru Cactus Trip

Northern Patagonia Cactus Trip

Northern Patagonia Sights

Notes from the Editors

Culture Notes

Literature

Editorial Board

News

WWW Links

Agave Photos

Importing Seeds into the USA: a Little Easier in 2006

The USDA Department of Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has changed regulations regarding the importation of small amounts of plant seed.  It is anticipated that the change will make it easier for hobbyists to import seeds of most plants in the the United States.

A phytosanitary certificate is currently (April, 2006) required to import seeds.  This requirement is burdensome because overseas vendors must have their nurseries inspected and certified.  The process has also been expensive, and the cost was typically passed on to Americans importing seeds.  Sometimes vendors have charged $30.00 or more for the certificate when sending only 20 seeds. 

Beginning May 15, 2006, up to 50 seeds of any single species may be imported (or 10 grams), per packet of seed.  Additionally, up to 50 packets may be imported in any given shipment.  No phytosanitary certificate will be required. 

APHIS does require that people importing seed into the USA obtain a free permit (PPQ form 587, Application for Permit to Import Plants or Plant Products).  PPQ Form 587 it is not difficult to fill out. You can even use form 587 to request permission to import cuttings and rhizomes, etc. For part 3, I always make sure to check "other" and then explain "hobby." For "US Port or Ports of Arrival," we recommend that the field be filled in "via postal service," unless seeds are coming to an actual importing facility (unlikely for small shipments). If you are importing many species, you may need to append a page to the form.

One purpose for requiring the free permit may be to encourage seed importers to read the list of prohibited seeds (noxious weeds).  A quick look at the Website concerning Noxious Weeds (dated January 15, 2006) found no mention of any prohibited Opuntia seeds.  Thus, it is presumed import of Opuntia seeds into the USA will be a simple process. However, import of O. aurantiaca is prohibited. O. aurantiaca is a sterile hybrid Opuntia that does not produce seeds, but import of the cladodes (vegetative parts) is prohibited.