Can I Fly With This?
Can I bring seeds on a plane?
Quick rules for flying with seeds in carry-on and checked baggage. Verdicts and conditions across the major aviation regions below.
🇺🇸 United States (TSA)
Domestic: allowed. International: most countries require import permits — undeclared seeds can be confiscated and fined.
🇪🇺 European Union (EASA)
Seed imports from non-EU countries require a phytosanitary certificate. Personal imports routinely refused at the border. Within EU, generally OK.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom (CAA)
Seed imports require a phytosanitary certificate + permit in the UK. Personal imports routinely refused at the border (Defra biosecurity).
🌎 Latin America
Strict biosecurity. Chile (SAG), Argentina (SENASA), Brazil (MAPA), Peru (SENASA), Colombia (ICA) all require import permits and phytosanitary certificates. Bringing undeclared seeds typically results in confiscation plus fines (USD $100–500+).
🌏 Asia (ICAO / IATA baseline)
Seeds require an import permit + phytosanitary certificate in Japan, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Philippines and South Korea. Tourist personal imports are routinely refused and destroyed. Cannabis seeds are treated as a controlled drug in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Korea — possession risks years in prison.
🇦🇺 Australia & Pacific (CASA)
Australia + NZ: ALL seeds (including souvenirs, cooking spices in seed form, packets bought overseas, beans from a market) must be declared. Most are refused entry without an import permit + phytosanitary certificate. AU$2,664 / NZ$400 fine for non-declaration — biosecurity officers actively prosecute. Buy any garden seeds locally instead.