Sending Seed Overseas

Started by Richard Watson, 2023-03-14, 04:57:11 PM

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Richard Watson

2023-03-14, 04:57:11 PM
Our seed Co-Op would often buy seed from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company to use in our plant breeding, but I understand they are no longer sending outside of the US. Anyone recommend another seed company that would send to NZ.
Changeable climate manly during winter & spring - 500mm average yearly rainfall. 23 years of soil improvements plus sub soil top soil reversal means my garden beds are about half metre deep. Below that is 100's of metres of alluvial shingle

Diane Whitehead

#1
2023-03-14, 10:11:12 PM
They still send to Canada.

The U.S. postage cost means I sometimes pay more for postage than for the seeds, though.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
cool mediterranean climate  warm dry summers, mild wet winters,  70 cm rain,   sandy soil

reed

#2
2023-03-15, 08:30:12 AM
Quote from: Richard Watson on 2023-03-14, 04:57:11 PMOur seed Co-Op would often buy seed from Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Company to use in our plant breeding, but I understand they are no longer sending outside of the US. Anyone recommend another seed company that would send to NZ.

One of my favorites is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Their website states "Generally, we do not take international orders. Research and seed-saving organizations may contact us for an exception. We will need to calculate postage costs before providing a total."

Richard Watson

#3
2023-03-15, 01:14:33 PM
Quote from: reed on 2023-03-15, 08:30:12 AMOne of my favorites is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Their website states "Generally, we do not take international orders. Research and seed-saving organizations may contact us for an exception. We will need to calculate postage costs before providing a total."

Thanks Mark. I will send an email and ask them...
Changeable climate manly during winter & spring - 500mm average yearly rainfall. 23 years of soil improvements plus sub soil top soil reversal means my garden beds are about half metre deep. Below that is 100's of metres of alluvial shingle

Richard Watson

#4
2023-03-15, 01:18:44 PM
Quote from: Diane Whitehead on 2023-03-14, 10:11:12 PMThey still send to Canada.

The U.S. postage cost means I sometimes pay more for postage than for the seeds, though.

Postage costs have increased hugely here also.

Our seed co-op we normally do quite a large order for the group so as make the postage costs well while.
Changeable climate manly during winter & spring - 500mm average yearly rainfall. 23 years of soil improvements plus sub soil top soil reversal means my garden beds are about half metre deep. Below that is 100's of metres of alluvial shingle

Cathy A

#5
2023-03-16, 11:31:47 AM
High postage costs mean that instead of purchasing a small number of different seed varieties from many vendors, I have moved in the direction of fewer, larger orders. Sadly, that cuts down on the number of different varieties I can purchase in a given year.

The fixed postage rate really hurts when you only need one or two seed packets from that vendor.

Diane Whitehead

#6
2023-03-16, 12:56:02 PM
I guess the thing to do is buy thin seeds like tomatoes so they won't need padded envelopes.  Or coordinate with your friends - one person buying from each company.

$14.11 to send a padded envelope to Canada is excessive, though I guess it could be stuffed full of many packets.
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
cool mediterranean climate  warm dry summers, mild wet winters,  70 cm rain,   sandy soil

Richard Watson

#7
2023-03-16, 01:52:28 PM
We do one large order to make the mailing cost worth well.
Changeable climate manly during winter & spring - 500mm average yearly rainfall. 23 years of soil improvements plus sub soil top soil reversal means my garden beds are about half metre deep. Below that is 100's of metres of alluvial shingle

Richard Watson

#8
2023-03-16, 02:12:55 PM
Quote from: reed on 2023-03-15, 08:30:12 AMOne of my favorites is Southern Exposure Seed Exchange. Their website states "Generally, we do not take international orders. Research and seed-saving organizations may contact us for an exception. We will need to calculate postage costs before providing a total."

Just heard back from them, they wont damn it.
Changeable climate manly during winter & spring - 500mm average yearly rainfall. 23 years of soil improvements plus sub soil top soil reversal means my garden beds are about half metre deep. Below that is 100's of metres of alluvial shingle

Jeremy Weiss

#9
2023-03-16, 02:25:31 PM
Bit like my issue with a Canadian seller on Etsy that has some lime tree seed I want. The last batch got through, but none made it to stability (one did germinate however which means they ARE viable and worth trying again, expensive as they are.)

Every now and then, Etsy sends me a noticed that the seed is back in stock. However due to it's auto-blocking off all foreign seed now, I can't actually even SEE the listing (and if I try to go in through the sellers site, it isn't there.) And to top it off, it apparently isn't even visible IN Canada, so trying to find a Canadian friend to order it for me and send it on isn't working either. 

Diane Whitehead

#10
2023-03-16, 02:34:18 PM
Richard,

What kinds of seeds do you want?  I used to send flower seeds to Australia but recently regulations have changed.

They are researching vegetable seeds and possible diseases that could be on the seeds.  Apiaceae seem to have checked out OK.  Brassicaceae are easier to import if the seeds are going to be sprouted and eaten immediately.

Anyway, if you check https://www.agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/import/goods/plant-products/seeds-for-sowing    you can find out what you are allowed to import and if it will be simple, I could send you some.

Diane
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
cool mediterranean climate  warm dry summers, mild wet winters,  70 cm rain,   sandy soil

Diane Whitehead

#11
2023-03-16, 02:35:08 PM
Jeremy, by "lime" do you mean a citrus?
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
cool mediterranean climate  warm dry summers, mild wet winters,  70 cm rain,   sandy soil

Steph S

#12
2023-03-16, 03:24:03 PM
Many Canadian seed companies have stopped shipping to the US, and those that still do have a longer list of products that they won't ship to US - no tomato and pepper seeds.  I guess the phytosanitary certificate is enough of a hassle to be not worth it to offer the extra service.
Also, you cannot send seeds in a card or letter to the US any more.  It has to be sent parcel post with a declaration.  There's never any fuss about declaring 'vegetable seeds', but the postage is close to $10 even for a small envelope. 

Diane Whitehead

#13
2023-03-16, 04:03:13 PM
We Canadians are lucky.  There are not many kinds of seeds that we are not allowed to import, mainly tree seeds.

I buy vegetable seeds from many places, even from unusual countries like Croatia.  (good tomato seeds)
Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
cool mediterranean climate  warm dry summers, mild wet winters,  70 cm rain,   sandy soil

Steph S

#14
2023-03-16, 04:11:37 PM
Indeed we are lucky.
Many years ago I had a package of tree seeds from the US seized by Her Majesty, and after several weeks delay it was released for the price of the phytosanitary certificate.
At that time it was around $30 and fair enough for a large box of seeds bought by the pound.  It's now at least $50 for the cert, you sure wouldn't want that tacked onto a couple of little seed packets.
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