Dear all; There has been a similar discussion on another email group (Alpine-L) on this topic. Here's a recent story: A "friend" in a "nearby state" (names changed to protect him/her). received a permit for importation of small lots of seed from USDA. A packet of info was received filled with instructions, threats and confusion. For example: The cover letter (P 1) states "Please read carefully the eighteen conditions attached to your permit" Eighteen conditions!! Of course the two pages of fine print "Permit Conditions' listed only 16 conditions, not eighteen. Even so some of these conditions are way beyond the control of the importer. The papers say the "PPQ will not pay shipping charges." In the past the sender paid for postage from origin to final destination and there were no additional shipping charge. My 'friends" closest Inspection station is roughly 700 miles away making pick-up difficult. The instructions for shipping are very vague otherwise. When my "friend' tried to place an order for seeds from abroad , the foreign shipper refused to even try to follow USDA rules and agreed to ship only by stealth. The seeds arrived unopened in 3 to 4 days. What a system! Good luck Anonymous -- 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 +