From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Millville, UT

I have never sent seeds to another country and filling out the "USPS Customs Declaration and Dispatch Note" is a bit intimating. I am a bit concerned about how to fill out the "Detail Description of Contents" because I have had seeds I have ordered be confiscated and destroyed by US Customs. What is the best way to fill this form out?

12/4/2024 11:29:36 AM

Nova Scotia

It is a shame what it's coming to! However we have received many from the USA over the years without a problem thankfully. Recent years US growers fill in contents as "guitar picks" or "gardening supplies" no mention of seeds. But we still receive many described as pumpkin seeds. Depends upon port of entry as well sometimes, luck of the draw. Good luck. Oh also put on a low value say $10 and a gift/sample.

12/4/2024 12:33:22 PM

Nova Scotia

Also many countries don't bother or try such as Australia, South Africa, etc. They are very strict even with documents at times!

12/4/2024 12:37:33 PM

Mill Bay, British Columbia

And now a 25% tariff on all products from Canada….haha

12/4/2024 12:47:33 PM

Nova Scotia

ATLANTIC GIANT pumpkin seeds exempt! Vital for addiction treatments. LOL

12/4/2024 1:12:26 PM

President - GPC

Let us not reinvent the wheel, but learn from the past for the present >

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=561548

There is also a thread out there I havent found yet, about a year later, when customs held Gracey's Dad with real threats and FINES about seeds found by customs that were hidden in a book... Wasnt me, but it sure could of been back then,,,,,,, Sort like ShaShank Redemption - End results was very serious! Results from a simple desire to get seeds to a young lady in New Zealand, that had her whole class growing seeds at first grade.

I know someone who has a bit more time will find that post out there, as I posted it on BP. It changed many things back then.......

Its sad the effects of the new rules and regulations crackdown.,.. But its a real concern.....

Our Growing Community survives from moving genetics freely to and fro, "CLUB AUCTIONS" and YES across borders....... HOWEVER,

As GPC President - One can not make statements towards encouraging anyone to break the law, smuggle seeds across borders, or making false statements on official documentation. It can catch up to you. You put down guitar picks with your name. I do a google search on your name, and the results are eye opening...... they lead right back to BigPumpkins.com

Ill keep looking for that post from Gracey'
s dad.

A great thread to start....

Happy HolidayZ ALL!

12/4/2024 2:49:25 PM

Nova Scotia

Thanks Wizzy interesting however Gracey's Dad had them with him entering into New Zealand trying to sneak through customs? That's another whole kettle of fish when you try at any customs border. In a bubble through the mail all the years we have never heard anyone threatened and been at it for 40 some years or so. And yes we have had a few destroyed going in the USA years back usually something to do with a new policy and regulations. Hard to keep with but is sad. Oh New Zealand is by the way very protective of imports etc coming in. No doubt many growers at GPC conventions meet and swap seeds over the years between countries. Happy Holidays!

12/4/2024 4:22:10 PM

President - GPC

NO he didnt try to sneak them thru customs... he wasnt coming to a convention. They were sent via mail, by a third party from BP answering his quest for seeds.... need to find that direct letter from their customs, it was brutal. Looking.....

12/4/2024 5:33:50 PM

President - GPC

Found >

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/DisplayPhoto.asp?pid=7522&gid=-32842

and also >

http://www.bigpumpkins.com/MsgBoard/ViewThread.asp?b=3&p=540907

So do you really think that guitar picks will set you free?

Kind Regards,

Wizzy

12/4/2024 5:41:22 PM

Nova Scotia

OK all good however all the ones I have seen from USA that said "guitar pics" hopefully they are still free? lol. All is fine just trying to help another grower but guess I crossed the line apparently?

Best Regards,

Danny Dill

12/4/2024 6:32:55 PM

Syracuse, NY

WiZZyrd, if it helps, just Site Search 'Gracey' and there are about 8 posts with it in it. eg

[Last edit: 12/04/24 7:20:13 PM]

12/4/2024 7:16:45 PM

President - GPC

Well if someone in their diary.... showed playin a guitar with a pumpkin seed, (hint-Edge Filing...lol) then we could have an legit documented legal way out..... just sayin hmm and then I can ask Ken to delete any bits of data.... it could work.

UTubers Go To TOWN :)

12/5/2024 12:30:50 PM

Colorado

If you paint the seeds wild colors and glue them to a piece of yarn with Elmer's glue then put a note "a gift from your granddaughter she made this bracelet in Bible school for you and says she loves you.

12/5/2024 2:29:44 PM

Syracuse, NY

I can do that, Wizzy - Seeds in jars, bass up against the counter...What's to not love? Ha Ha eg
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=350435

12/5/2024 5:19:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

Maybe the top seeds could get a phyto certificate. It might cost a lot, but if its divided by 400 seeds, maybe its do-able for certain high demand seeds... I dont know. The customs declarations are intimidating. Well, dont send anything you can't afford to take a loss on, anyhow.

12/5/2024 6:51:13 PM

President - GPC

I like the seed embedded within a cut out piece of cardboard. Seed taped on both sides. Could easily fit in a Christmas card envelope. Could pass thru the rollers if done right...
Just a thought.....

12/6/2024 9:48:27 AM

Millville, UT

perfect - 2 packs of custom guitar picks are on their way.

12/6/2024 10:17:25 AM

Grittyville, WA

Earth-destined earings. If you can make a pillow out of bamboo...

12/6/2024 6:38:13 PM

Grittyville, WA

Well, if you've watched any of those border inspection reality tv shows you know the border agents wont be fooled by anything whatsoever... It seems a bit foolish to try to fool them! Good luck.

12/6/2024 6:42:18 PM

Millville, UT

I have feeling the boarder got our clubs Patton seeds last year. I know they were sent but we just never received them.

12/6/2024 9:24:26 PM

Anchorage Alaska

Wizzy is exactly right! I have used that method for several years now , sent to Croatia, Estonia ,Italy ,Spain ,Germany, Belgium, Holland, only South Africa seemed to be a problem, as a no show , best part is it cost a little over 2 dollars for a international, non machinable stamp, so actually pretty inexpensive. I usually make 2 x 3 inch carboard squares with a 1/2 in slot in the middle for seeds,3 pieces evenly spaced taped inside the envelope, for a total of 6 seeds

12/7/2024 12:45:09 AM

Grittyville, WA

It doesnt seem like they want to be the seed bogeyman on their website:

https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/seeds/seed-imports/abcs-seed-importation#l

Many laws, many layers of regulations, but seems like they do want Canadians to be able to get seeds from the USA and that small shipments should be able to get through.

12/9/2024 6:02:53 AM

President - GPC

There is one man that knows more than any of us regarding getting seeds across the border, Phyto certs, testing, etc.

Yup you know him as ICEMAN

12/9/2024 1:05:03 PM

Grittyville, WA

Thaw him out tell him no more doing the Otzi man thing. No excuses allowed... Iceman cant retire until Clint Eastwood does.

12/10/2024 3:33:26 AM

This will explain the small lot designation for seeds coming into Canada
https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/seeds/seed-imports/small-packet-seed

This will tell you how many seeds are for each species
https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/seeds/seed-imports/abcs-seed-importation

No Phyto needed but just fill in the custom sticker properly. Bring in seeds from the USA all the time including potato seeds(not seed potatoes)

12/15/2024 10:21:33 AM