Amazon bans foreign sales of seeds in US amid mystery packages from China
- Thousands of Americans have received unsolicited packages of seeds in their postboxes
- The USDA in July said the packages were most likely part of a ‘brushing’ scam
Amazon.com said it has banned foreign sales of seeds in the United States after thousands of Americans received unsolicited packages of seeds in their postboxes, mostly postmarked from China.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July identified more than a dozen plant species ranging from morning glories to mustard in the bags of unsolicited seeds. It warned Americans not to plant the seeds.
According to plant experts, seeds from other parts of the world could be non-native varieties that harm commodity crops.
“Moving forward, we are only permitting the sale of seeds by sellers who are based in the US,” Amazon said in an emailed statement on Saturday.
The company changed its policy on seed sales on Wednesday. The policy change was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
The company added that sellers who do not follow its guidelines will be subject to action, including potential removal of their accounts.
According to Amazon’s policy web page, the ban extends to plants and plant products.