Sample Collection Guidelines

Requirements for international customers

Seed samples

Seed samples have minimal requirements. All you need is the following two documents to clear USDA inspection and Customs. These documents can be place in an envelope and attached to the shipping box.

• A Phytosanitary certificate
• Commercial invoice (see an example)

Plant samples –for disease diagnosis

A shipping label and shipping documents are needed. You will need a shipping label (address label) from us to put on the outside of the shipping box. Therefore, you should request a shipping label from us as soon as possible. If you will be shipping samples from time to time, we can provide you with several shipping labels that you can use. This shipping label delivers the package to USDA for inspection. USDA will then re-ship the package to us. 

You will need to provide 4 shipping documents to clear package from USDA inspection and customs. You can place these documents in an envelope and attach to the shipping box.

• A statement that phytosanitary certificate is not applicable
• Copy of permit (P526P-08-00496)
• Commercial invoice (see an example)
• Destination address

Plant samples –for Variety identification

A shipping label and shipping documents are needed. You will need a shipping label (address label) from us to put on the outside of the shipping box. Therefore, you should request a shipping label from us as soon as possible. If you will be shipping samples from time to time, we can provide you with several shipping labels that you can use. This shipping label delivers the package to USDA for inspection. USDA will then re-ship the package to us. 

You will need to provide 4 shipping documents to clear package from USDA inspection and customs. You can place these documents in an envelope and attach to the shipping box.

• Copy of permit (PDEP-08-00046)
• A Phytosanitary certificate
• Commercial invoice (see an example)
• Destination address