SUPPLYING SEEDS FOR OUR SEED BANK

Seed Sources Wanted

We welcome contributions of well documented seeds for our seed bank.  Some suppliers donate seeds and we also purchase seeds to improve the diversity of our inventory.

Since growing space at our facility is very limited we do not directly produce many seeds.  We obtain our seeds from our research partners and numerous outside sources, foreign and domestic.  These may include individuals, field trials, small farms and large businesses.  In most cases we treat the identity of the supplier as proprietary information but this may be revealed upon request.

 

How to Provide Seeds for the Bank

Information Needed.  If you would like to offer seeds for our bank please Contact Us first and provide the following information:

  1. The species of the seeds, preferably identified by their binomial scientific name.
  2. The variety or cultivar name, if known.
  3. Identify the location where seeds were grown, preferably with map coordinates so that the climatic conditions and soil types of the area can be identified.
  4. Date of harvest, preferably month and year.
  5. Indicate if the seeds are certified organic. If they are, please state the certification agency.
  6. For seeds to be exported to us from outside the United States, confirm your ability to comply with applicable customs and USDA import requirements (see below).
  7. Tell us if the seeds are offered as a donation or for sale. If for sale, indicate the asking price in U.S. Dollars including itemized costs for issuance of phytosanitary certificates, export clearances and shipping.
  8. Provide the supplier’s full contact information

PLEASE DO NOT SHIP SEEDS TO US WITHOUT PRIOR AUTHORIZATION.

 

Acceptance Criteria

We intend to maintain a high quality inventory of seeds in our bank and ensure that they are provided in compliance with all applicable regulations.  These are our current acceptance criteria and they are subject to change:

  1. Because of storage space limitations we generally cannot accommodate quantities of more than one kilogram of seeds per lot.
  2. Seeds must be clean, free of pesticides, pests and diseases, leaves and other non-seed plant materials; mature and dry.
  3. We do not accept seeds that have been fumigated or treated with chemicals.
  4. We do not accept hulled seeds.
  5. Seeds must be labeled, packaged, and shipped in full compliance with applicable international and state regulations. Please refer to the section below on exporting seeds to our seed bank.
  6. The origin (growing location) for all seeds, and their approximate date of harvest must be specified.
  7. Shipments of seeds made without our prior approval are subject to rejection and discard.

 

Shipping Seeds to Our Seed Bank

Regulations pertaining to shipments of seeds may vary significantly among the states of the U.S. and importing and exporting countries.  They are subject to frequent changes that may be unannounced, and variable interpretations among authorities.   Seeds confiscated by regulatory authorities are the responsibility of the shipper. Payment for confiscated shipments will be declined and the costs of returning shipments shall also be the responsibility of the shipper.

 

DOMESTIC SUPPLIERS

Shipments of Seeds from Neighbor Islands in Hawai`i

All interisland shipments of seeds must be inspected by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) for fire ants and other pests.  Before shipment, seeds should be taken for inspection at the nearest HDOA inspection station.  HDOA does not charge a fee for this service.

Shipments of Seeds from U.S. Locations Outside Hawaii.

For shipments from within the USA to Hawaii, the shipment must be marked on the outside of the shipping container: “Contains Seeds.  May be opened for Inspection”.  Shipments should be made by U.S. Postal Service First Class Mail unless other arrangements are approved in advance.

 

INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIERS

Exporting Seeds to Us From Outside the United States.

International suppliers of seeds must be willing and able to comply with all applicable regulations and the specific provisions of our U.S. Department of Agriculture Permits.  These are summarized below:

Applicable to All International Suppliers.   If we agree to accept imports of seeds from you we will provide complete copies of the applicable USDA permit, the USDA-required shipping labels and detailed instructions.  Shipments MUST be directed to the USDA Plant Inspection Station at Honolulu, Hawaii.  After inspection and clearance they will be shipped from the station to our consignee address on Hawaii Island.  The internal invoice must include our actual address.

DO NOT SHIP SEEDS DIRECTLY TO OUR CONSIGNEE ADDRESS.  THEY MUST BE SHIPPED TO THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE INSPECTION STATION IN HONOLULU SHOWN ON THE GREEN AND YELLOW USDA SHIPPING LABEL.  NO OTHER ADDRESSES MAY APPEAR ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE PACKAGE.

The shipper must comply with all general requirements of either our bulk shipment or small lot seed import permits.  This includes correct labeling and identification of the seeds; inclusion of a copy of our import permit in the package; and use of a USDA required shipping label that we will supply to the shipper.

Small Lot (Packet) Permit.  Our USDA permit for small lots of seeds allows for shipments of seeds in packets, not to exceed 50 seeds per packet, or 50 packets per shipment of each specific taxon (genus, species or variety).  For example, a shipment could include 50 packets of 50 seeds of Moringa stenopetala and 50 packets of 50 seeds of Moringa oleifera, for a total of 5,000 seeds.  This is generally the most practical shipping option because a phytosanitary certificate (described below) is not required for shipments under the small lot permit.  Shippers, particularly those in remote areas, may find it difficult to obtain the certificates.

Bulk Shipments of Seeds.  Quantities exceeding the package and/or shipment limits of the small lot permit limits for seeds must be shipped in compliance with our import permit for plants and bulk seeds.  Shipments under this permit must include a phytosanitary certificate.

Phytosanitary Certificates.  A phytosanitary certificate is an inspection certificate issued by a competent governmental authority (usually an agriculture agency) to document that a particular consignment (lot) of plants or seeds from a country or state has been properly described, inspected, treated if necessary, and found to be free from harmful pests and plant diseases. Requirements for these certificates are specified by the country or state of destination and international regulations.

The original of the certificate, not a copy must be included with the shipping documents.  PLEASE ALSO SEND US AN ELECTRONIC COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE FOR OUR RECORDS.  ORIGINALS WILL BE REMOVED BY THE INSPECTORS BEFORE THE SHIPMENT IS FORWARDED FROM THE INSPECTION STATION TO OUR FACILITY.

This page was last updated on August 27, 2022.
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