Washington State residents have reported receiving seeds in the mail from China that they did not order. As mentioned in Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Facebook post, the packages containing the seeds often claim 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 (as in the photo below) don't open the sealed package. 2) This is known as agricultural smuggling. Report it to USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and maintain the seeds and packaging until USDA instructs you what to do with the packages and seeds. They may be needed as evidence. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/sa_sitc/ct_antismuggling
You can also contact the confidential Antismuggling Hotline number at 800-877-3835 or by sending an Email to SITC.Mail@aphis.usda.gov.
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