On July 27, our DeKalb County UGA Extension received their first report/call in DeKalb County of “unsolicited” China origin seeds being delivered to residents through the United States Postal Service (USPS). The packing is often mislabeled as “accessories.” This practice is known as agricultural smuggling.

If you are a recipient of “unsolicited seed” to follow the instructions below:
1). DO NOT plant the seeds and if they are in a sealed package, do not open the sealed package. Also, DO NOT dispose of the seeds.
2). Anyone who has received unsolicited seeds in the mail from China or any other country is encouraged to contact the GDA Seed Lab at 229-386-3145 or email SeedLab@agr.georgia.gov.
G.D.A. Seed Laboratory
PO Box 1507
Tifton, Georgia 31793

You should include your contact information when you send them

Additional resources include:

Georgia Dept of Agriculture – Report “unsolicited” seeds in Georgia: https://unsolicited-seed-package-reporting-hub-ga-agriculture.hub.arcgis.com/

USDA – FAQ on unsolicited seeds: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/newsroom/stakeholder-info/faq-unsolicited-seeds