Rules and regulations for can you bring seeds on a plane Europe are not only defined by the airport authorities but are dependent on and will be determined by the seed type you are carrying, the airline you are taking a flight with, and the laws of the destination country that you are flying to.
Flying with seeds demands attention just like all other products, and you must know what the Transportation Security Administration declares regarding carrying seeds on a plane to Europe, especially if the transportation is done for commercial purposes. Then you will have to be even more careful.
In our specific outline for Can you bring seeds on a plane Europe you can discover more information as we have compiled all the significant factors concerning your traveling with seeds, which include seed packaging and the importance of declaring them to the rightful authorities.
Can You Bring Seeds On A Plane Europe?
When traveling with seeds on a plane in Europe, you must make two differing yet essential considerations: flying from one European Union country to another and flying out of Europe.
Traveling Within Europe
As long as you are traveling from one European Union country to another with seeds, such as from Finland to Germany, you are allowed to bring seeds along, but only on the conditions that they have been grown in the European Union country are for your consumption and use and most importantly are free from the contamination of any diseases or pests.
Supposedly, you intend to use seeds for plantation, then the following seed kinds are prohibited from being carried within the European Union countries:
- Ash/ Fraxinus seeds and plants
- Plane and Platanus seeds and plants
- Sweet Chestnut/ Castanea seeds and plants
Traveling To And From A Non-European Country
Let’s say you want to travel from a European country to another continent’s country with seeds, or vice versa; then some products have been completely banned and restricted both by their quantity and weight.
To travel with these restricted products on a plane to Europe, you must first obtain the relevant and mandated phytosanitary document from the country where the seeds were initially grown. These documents are crucial as they provide a check for pest control and detail the purpose of seed transportation.
After obtaining the needed document from the approved authorities, you can even then only carry five retail packets of the seeds restricted for bringing on a plane. Though not all seeds are restricted, consulting the Animal and Plant Health Agency for an accurate list of seeds with permissibilities and prohibitions is plausible.
Seeds you cannot bring into a European Union country for planting are:
- Ash/ Fraxinus seeds and plants
- Plane and Platanus seeds and plants
- Sweet Chestnut/ Castanea seeds and plants
Packing Seeds For A Flight
After checking and confirming the rules for flying with seeds to Europe, domestically or internationally, the subsequent step is packing seeds for the flight. You must be wondering the best and safest way to pack seeds for a flight.
Following, we state some worth-knowing packing seeds for flight tips that are useful and valuable.
Tip #1: Easy Accessibility
It goes without saying and should not be reiterated that regardless of the travel destination you will land in, seeds domestically and internationally will always be checked by airport security and customs for authorization.
In such scenarios, the smart thing to do is to pack your seeds so they are easily accessible and can be quickly retrieved from your carry-on or checked luggage when the checking demand arises.
Tip #2: Seal
You must always ensure the seeds you carry on a flight are tightly sealed and kept in their original packaging with no missing labels. Keep the seeds sealed to prevent them from spilling and scattering over your luggage, and this tip should be implemented for international and domestic flights.
Tip #3: Certification and Permits
Almost all countries require you to carry pertinent certifications and permits when carrying seeds on a plane. The last thing to wish for during a security check is to have a permit missing.
Whenever you transport seeds to your destination or home country, double-check for the needed certification and permits and ensure everything is packed adequately before flying.
Importance Of Declaring Seeds
Passengers often report that rules concerning seeds and other agricultural products are overwhelming, unnecessary, exaggerated, or over the top for flying. However, all the procedures you are to follow and the permits you are obligated to have is to protect the country you are landing in.
Seeds sometimes from a restricted country are not allowed into another specific country, majorly due to the seeds not being ideal for the country’s environment or that they may not be native. Such seeds, when forcefully brought into a country, can put plants, soil, and animals at a severe threat of invasive species outbreak.
Similarly, suppose an agricultural item containing pests is carried from an origin to a destination country. In that case, it can spread new and unfamiliar plant diseases, affecting crops, animals, and humans. A prominent and recent example of such a phenomenon is the recent COVID-19 pandemic.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
Can I bring seeds from the US to Europe?
Yes, you can, but only if you have acquired a phytosanitary certificate from the concerned authorities of the US will you be allowed to bring seeds to Europe.
Can you take plant seeds to France?
Since France is a European Union country, you are allowed to travel with seeds, apart from the ones that have been prohibited.
Can you bring chia seeds on a plane internationally?
Chia seeds can be conveniently brought into a plane on an international flight in luggage.
What if my seeds are not sealed or labeled?
If seeds are not sealed or labeled, they will be confiscated and discarded by TSA agents.
Conclusion
We understand how complying with the regulations for can you bring seeds on a plane Europe can be stressful, but rest assured, all these rules have been set in place to guarantee safety for people and the environment. So strive only to comply!
