Soil

View shipping requirements for importing regulated soil requiring black, white, green, and yellow labels.

View a list of the commonly asked questions and concerns associated with the application process for a soil permit.

Importing and moving untreated soil is an extremely high risk activity. Several levels of review and approval are required before a permit can be issued. Learn more about the soil permit process.

View guidance that is considered when deciding whether or not to issue a permit to a graduate student/post-doc.

View information related to hand-carry conditions for all authorized soil hand carry events.

APHIS can issue a permit usually within 2 weeks if the applicant requests authorization for less than three pounds of soil (per shipment), and the soil can be heat sterilized by PPQ at ports with appropriate facilities.

Soil that cannot be treated at the port of entry may be allowed to move to a facility approved in advance and authorized under a permit issued by PPQ. Specific safeguard provisions are described in the permit and compliance agreement with the facility.

Soil from Guam, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands is handled as foreign soil and authorized movement into the continental United States under the provisions described for foreign soil.

APHIS may authorize soil imports for the purpose of isolating organisms if the soil is handled and treated as prescribed in an APHIS permit.

Permits or other documentation may be required for entry of these products into the United States from foreign countries.