Opuntiads of the USA

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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.

Currently, a Phytosanitary certificate is currently (April, 2006) required in order to import seeds.  This requirement is burdensome and expensive because it required vendors overseas to have their nurseries inspected and certified.  The process has also been expensive because nurseries were required to pay for the certification by various authorities, and the cost was typically passed on to Americans importing seeds.  Sometimes vendors has 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 can seem confusing to fill out; however, it is not difficult.  For "US Port or Ports of Arrival," the Editor-in-Chief of Opuntiads of the USA recommends that the field be filled in "via postal service," unless seeds are coming to an actual importing facility (unlikely for small shipments person-to-person).

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 Federal Noxious Weeds List (dated January 15, 2006) found no mention of any prohibited Opuntia seeds.  Thus, it is presumed import of opuntiad seeds into the USA will now 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 joints (vegetative parts) is prohibited.

PPQ Form 587 may be found online here.