Navigation

Public Records Request
Natural Resources Building
P.O. Box 42560
1111 Washington ST SE
Olympia, WA 98504-2560
Phone: (360) 902-1800

Unsolicited Seeds

Back
Home / Departments / Insects, Pests, and Weeds / Seeds

What do you need today?

Unsolicited Seeds and plants

Avoiding plant import regulations and bypassing customs to get plant material into the United States is known as agricultural smuggling. This bypasses the safeguards that prevent invasive species, plant diseases and pests, or plants that could harm livestock from establishing in the country. Seeds and plants that are smuggled into the country could do serious harm to farms, gardens, and the environment. 
  • They could be invasive. Some plants are not allowed to enter the country because they are known to be invasive, and could out compete native plants.
  • They could harbor pests and diseases. Plants and seeds can have insect or disease pests that could devastate native plants that have no defense against them. This could lead to the loss of plants or require increased pesticide use to manage.
  • They could harm livestock. Some plants are toxic to livestock and other animals – even humans. If they are planted, they could be harmful to livestock and other animals.
​For these reasons, bringing plant material into the United States is closely regulated by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Mislabeled packages

Mislabeling packages in order to get seeds and other plant materials into the country is illegal. In 2020 and 2025 United States residents have reported receiving seeds that they did not order. There has been reports of people who purchased seeds from an online retailer thinking the seeds were from the United States, only to learn when the package arrived in the mail (also usually listing something other than seeds on the mailing labels) that the seeds were from another country.

What You Should Do

USDA and WSDA are asking residents to destroy any seed packages, planted seeds, or potted plants they suspect have entered the country illegally. If you received unsolicited seeds or plants please follow the instructions below.

Surrender Seeds, Planted Seeds, or Potted Plants

  1. Please place seeds, plants, and their packaging in a plastic bag.
  2. Place the bag in a mailing envelope.
  3. Mail to USDA for further investigation at the following address:
USDA-APHIS-PPQ – Attn: Tim St. Germain
Seattle Plant Inspection Station
835 South 192nd Street, Bldg D, Ste 1600
Seatac, WA 98148

Other options

Destroy Seeds Destroy Planted Seeds Destroy or Clean Pots 
1. Do not open the seed packet.
2. Completely wrap the packet with duct tape.
2. Place in a zip-lock bag, squeeze out any air, and seal.
3. Repeat step two.
4. Fold bag and cover with duct tape.
5. Discard in trash.		 1. Remove plants and at least 3 inches of the surrounding soil.
2. Place plants and soil inside a plastic bag.
3. Use the thickest plastic bag available and squeeze as much air out of the bag as possible and seal.
4. Place the bag inside a second plastic bag and repeat squeezing and sealing.
5. Discard in trash.		 1. Dispose of the container in 2 trash bags as described in "Destroy Planted Seeds" or
1. Remove as much soil as possible from inside the pot with a paper towel.
2. Wash the planting container with soap and water to remove any remaining dirt. It's important to wash the container over a sink or other container to catch the run-off. Put the run-off down the drain or flush down a toilet.
3. Soak the planting container in a 10% bleach solution for 30 minutes and rinse.














If you are outside of the state of Washington please contact your respective USDA State Plant Health Director for locations and options.