Dear Ellen, Mind if I add 2 cents? The Small lot seed program was only instituted a few years ago and I believe home gardeners, seed exchanges and collectors were seriously involved in these regulations. You might contact Joyce Fingerut of NARGS as she coordinated their efforts. I think Tony Avent was also involved. One thing that was involved was the formation of the European Unon. This union meant, in part, that phytosanitary inspection and certificates were generally no longer need for most plants from most countries. As a result of that, it became more difficult and expensive to actually get a phyto and this became even more difficult for the import of small lots of seeds. There are lots of home gardeners who import European vegetable and flower seed packets in Spring. As co-chair of an international seed exchange, the small lot program is both a boon and a constant hassle. In some cases seeds are delayed almost not at all or interminably and for no reason. The first import labels were labelled for delivery to Jamaica NY (home of JFK airport), but some/many were dutifully sent to Jamaica, the nation. Our worst situation was a five month delay for no obvious reason between departure from a donor in France and the eventual approval and delivery BACK to France instead to designated recipient, me. I have spoken to the inspector often enough to be on a first name basis and we can generally come to some agreement that fits our needs and the USDA regs. They are very understanding. Notwithstanding that the small lot program does in general make legal importation of small packets of seeds much easier and cheaper, there are still totally illogical aspects of USD importation that are not solved by 'knowing the regulations'. These regulations are often buried in text, convoluted and inconsistently enforced. My suggestion: KISS. I have had a variety of USDA permits for decades and it is important to follow the rules , as best you understand them, and keep up to date as best you can. Even doing this and keeping your nose to the grind stone, does not prevent you from the wrath of USDA, Customs, Border Patrol and/or Homeland Security all of which may compete to harass you for reasons not in your control (such as having an import enter at the wrong airport - not an approved port of entry). I won't get on my soap box, but call me if you want to talk about this and not on a public forum and hoping our phones are not tapped. I am not paranoid, unfortunately. Good luck and best Jim W. -- Dr. James W. Waddick 8871 NW Brostrom Rd. Kansas City Missouri 64152-2711 USA Ph. 816-746-1949 Zone 5 Record low -23F Summer 100F +