Regulations for US Members wishing to order seed
Last year, the US Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) published a new rule for importing small lots of seed, which means that we no longer need to send seed out with a phytosanitory certificate. Instead, US members who wish to order seed from the AGS seed distribution must send in an Import Licence with their order. If they did not order seed last year, they will need to apply for a permit and send this in with their order.

Permits are free and will be valid for 3 years. Details about the permit can be found at:

To apply for a permit on-line, go to

To order seeds from the AGS seed exchange, you will need to send with your seed order a photocopy of your import permit and one green and yellow label for every 50 packets or less that you order (50 - 100 packets will require 2 permits and 2 green and yellow labels, etc). You do not need to provide an address label. Please consult the lists of seeds that are not permitted under the permit by referring to the lists on the website. AGS Seed distribution team will not send banned seed and will substitute another seed from your order, so it would be helpful if you refer to the lists in advance.

US members using our on-line ordering system:
As you complete your order, US members will be required to type in their
permit number as printed on their green and yellow label and then mail their permit(s) and green and yellow label(s) to us.

The AGS Seed Distribution team will place inside the package with your seeds: a list of your seed order according to the requirements on the permit, the copy of your permit and a printed label with your name and address. The Distribution team will paste the green and yellow label on the outside, to direct the package to the Inspection Station. At the Station, your seeds will be checked and then resealed, and the mailing label will be pasted on the outside of the shipment. The whole thing will be returned to the mail system, and forwarded to you.

Details of these arrangements will also be provided with the seed list, but bear in mind that when you receive the list you will not have time to apply for your permit, you need to do this now.

Please note:- We will not be able to complete any orders which are received without a permit.