A packet of unusual flower or vegetable seeds for $2 can look like one of the easiest gardening bargains you’ll find online. But if the seller is shipping those seeds from another country, you’re not simply ordering inexpensive garden supplies—you may legally be importing plant material into the United States. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says buyers purchasing plants or seeds from foreign e-commerce sellers are considered importers and are responsible for making sure their orders meet U.S. import requirements. Those rules exist because imported seeds can potentially carry plant pests, pathogens, invasive plants, or other agricultural risks that aren’t obvious from an online listing. Before ordering overseas seeds, check these USDA requirements so a cheap packet doesn’t become a much bigger headache.
