Intercepted package of seeds

There was a thread from earier this year "mail order seeds" posted March 10, 2004. I tried to add a comment, but the thread was too old. So, here is a run down of my recent experience with sending seeds to the US from Europe.

I bought seeds in Amsterdam, and mailed them to my hotel in another European city where I was going to next. I mailed the seeds in a plain envelope, as there were no legal restrictions in doing so. The letter was waiting for me at the hotel, and only a few seeds got chrused.

I had 3 strains, about 40 seeds in total. Wrapped them in x-ray proof photo bag material, and put the small package into a bag of coffee. I could not reseal it perfectly, so I had to use a bit of tape. I also put t-shirts, a book and 6 rolls of film in a full size x-ray proof bag. I thought the film bag would help hide the small package in the coffee, but in fact, in may have brought attention to the box, since there would be something they could not look into.

Took the box to a Kinko's type shop, and FedEx it to my friend. Paid in cash, used a fake name on the return address. Thought with so many boxes, FedEx wouldn't search each one, and that it would get through quickly.

Tracked the package on the web, and was shocked to find a note on the site that said "Shipment exception - regulatory agency clearance delay" !! Oh s**t ! Called my friend to give him a warning.

They held the box for about 10 days, then FedEx called my friend, told him they had a package from overseas, but couldn't deliver it without an "invoice". My friend said he didn't know the sender, or anyone in that country, and since he hadn't ordered anything, he could not provide them with an invoice. FedEx said the package would be returned to sender, and that is the last we heard about it.

Good thing they did not let the package through and try to nail my friend upon receiving it. Interesting to me that FedEx would make the call and try to get him to provide info so that they could nail him.

The original thread said that US customs writes a letter, saying that contraband had been confiscated, but that did not happen this time.

I hope my friend is not on any watch lists, but who knows? At least with the ability to track the package, we could see that there was a problem and take appropriate action. Cost me a bit of $$$, but thankfully that is all.

Hope this info helps others.

the custom letter is for usps. i would just put them in a plain sturdy thing like a cd case if you are sending them yourself.

Thanks for that. I did notice in another thread that someone had sent seeds in a cd case, and still the seeds were found. Some of it comes down to luck I guess.

the cd case is just to keep the beans from being smashed LoL

Well i will say I just recently got a letter in the remains of something that someone sent me from overseas. As i would not say nor even know anyone who would send it I declined any worry as all it said was that they had detected illegal substance and that all illegal stuff had been confiscated and the sent the rest of the package which was oddly enough advertizements for the sale of seeds.
I find it hard to understand why they take the seeds but leave the advertizing! LMAO I did not worry and will not! Big bro has to do somethings to keep us humble every now and then! ;)