Alert from the New Jersey Department of Agriculture

The New Jersey Department of Agriculture has been receiving reports of people receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry. Unsolicited seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock.

Here’s what to do if you receive unsolicited seeds from another country:

1)DO NOT plant them and if they are in sealed packaging don’t open the sealed package.

2)Take a photo of the package and seeds and send the photos to the New Jersey Department of Agriculture Joseph.zoltowski@ag.nj.gov and USDA SITC at SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov

If you still have the seed packets and shipping/packaging materials, please do the following:

* Do NOT open the seed packets;

* Do NOT plant the seed packets;

* Do NOT compost the seeds;

* Do NOT throw the seeds in the trash, do not flush them down the drain, or expose them to the environment in any way; and

* Put all packaging materials and seeds into a Ziploc bag.”

This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to the USDA! Please hold onto the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until someone from your State department of agriculture or APHIS contacts you with further instructions. Do not plant seeds from unknown origins.

If individuals are aware of the potential smuggling of prohibited exotic fruits, vegetables, or meat products into or through the USA, they can help APHIS by contacting the confidential Anti-smuggling Hotline number at 800-877-3835 or by sending an Email to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov. USDA will make every attempt to protect the confidentiality of any information sources during an investigation within the extent of the law.