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Old January 25, 2022   #1
tam91
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Default Sending seeds to Canada

I've searched a bit but cannot figure out a definitive answer.

I'd like to send a few tomato seeds to my friend in Canada for her to grow.

But it looks like there may be a bunch of import regulations? Or maybe my few seeds aren't restricted? I can't really tell.

Has anyone sent seeds to Canada in a seed swap or something? How do you pack them? Do you have to declare them or do anything special?

Thanks!
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Old January 25, 2022   #2
KarenO
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A few seeds is not an issue.
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Old January 25, 2022   #3
tam91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenO View Post
A few seeds is not an issue.
KarenO
Thanks. So do you declare them? Or is it ok to just put them in an envelope w/no customs form?
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Old January 25, 2022   #4
KarenO
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Are you selling them?
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Old January 25, 2022   #5
KarenO
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Just in letter or greeting card for small light seeds. If more than a few, I send in a package. “Gift” Marked garden seeds. Can add a nominal value to the customs form or not.
It’s legal to send small quantities.
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Old January 25, 2022   #6
FarmerShawn
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Seeds packed in an envelope can just be mailed as a letter, as long as the envelope is less than 1/4" thick. Otherwise it will be charged as a package, which is much more expensive. I am just now learning this again as I send seeds out from Carolyn's stash offer.
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Old January 25, 2022   #7
tam91
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarenO View Post
Are you selling them?
No I am not selling them. I just want to send a few as a gift for my friend.

I had been told by someone else that maybe customs had an issue with seeds and I might not be able to send them, so I was just checking.

Thanks everyone for the help.
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Old January 25, 2022   #8
NathanP
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I am pretty sure it is not illegal to send them, but it is illegal for your friend to 'import' them without following the proper procedures. This is true of most countries including importing seed into the USA.

This web page has the procedures. https://inspection.canada.ca/plant-h.../1347741389113

Last edited by NathanP; January 25, 2022 at 08:13 PM.
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Old January 25, 2022   #9
KarenO
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NathanP View Post
I am pretty sure it is not illegal to send them, but it is illegal for your friend to 'import' them without following the proper procedures. This is true of most countries including importing seed into the USA.

This web page has the procedures. https://inspection.canada.ca/plant-h.../1347741389113
Yes. Please read the link you posted.
Read article K regarding exemptions. As I said, small quantities in this case officially tomato seeds are small seeds under 500 gram ( which is about a 125,000 seeds give or take.
So it is perfectly legal acceptable and exempt from difficulty to send a small gift of vegetable seeds to your friend without cumbersome permits provided it is under 500 grams from the USA to Canada.
Simply write vegetable seeds, gift if it’s a package. Nothing needed at all if it is a letter or card.
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Old January 25, 2022   #10
rxkeith
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i have sent and received bean seeds from canada in small amounts with no problem.
post office asked what was in the small bubble mailer, and that was pretty much it. they might have stamped the mailer. bean seeds are a lot bigger than tomato seeds.
it has been a few years, so always good to stay current on regulations. both side of the border don't want dirt going across.







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Old January 27, 2022   #11
tam91
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Thanks everyone
I promise there is no dirt, weed seeds or anything other than my own tomato seeds in there
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