Seeds With Special Requirements and Prohibited Seeds

Last Modified: October 01, 2024

Buying or selling seeds online? E-commerce itself may seem harmless, but some seeds pose a significant risk to the United States. These products may carry plant pests and pathogens or be a noxious weed. To safeguard U.S. agriculture, APHIS prohibits certain types of seeds from entering the United States and enforces special requirements for others—from permits and certificates to specific shipping and labeling needs.

Importers must check if seeds have special requirements before they can be shipped to the United States. Visit eFile, create an account (1.45 MB), and apply for a PPQ 587 permit to find out. This process can take up to 2 months, so plan accordingly with your exporter.

Seeds With Special Requirements

Prohibited Seeds