The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has received reports of individuals receiving unsolicited seeds through the mail from China.
Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages which state that the contents are jewelry, according to a press release.
If you receive unsolicited seeds from another country, do not plant the seeds. If the seeds are in sealed packaging, do not open the sealed package, according to the press release.
Take a photo of the package and the seeds and send the photos to USDA Smuggling Interdiction and Trade Compliance at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov
Maintain the seeds and packaging and send to the USDA Office at USDA APHIS PPQ, Attention: Gregory Soto, 1500 Lower Road, Linden, NJ 07036. Write your name, address, telephone number and email address on a piece of paper and insert it in the package, according to the press release.
Individuals who have already planted or discarded seeds are asked to send an email to Gregory.t.soto@usda.gov
