TRENTON – Have you received a package of seeds in the mail that you never ordered? If so the New Jersey Department of Agriculture can tell you what to do with them.
The agency has received reports of individuals receiving unsolicited seeds through the mail from China. These seeds could be invasive, introduce diseases to local plants, or be harmful to livestock. Sometimes the seeds are sent in packages stating that the contents are jewelry.
There are three guidelines to follow if you receive such unsolicited seeds from another country:
- Don’t plant the seeds and if they are in sealed packaging do not open the sealed package.
- Take a photo of the package and 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 located at: USDA APHIS PPQ Attention: Gregory Soto, 1500 Lower Rd. Linden, NJ 07036
