International Shipping Policy
We ship seeds to 40+ countries with full phytosanitary documentation. Below is a summary of our international shipping tiers and everything you need to know before placing an international order.
Minimum International Order
Minimum order value for all international shipments is ₹4,500. An export handling fee of ₹3,500 applies to all international orders — this covers phytosanitary certification, export documentation, and administration. This fee is charged once per shipment regardless of the number of species or order value.
Tier 1 — Standard International (most countries)
Includes: Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain), UK, EU (except Germany), Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines), Japan, Africa, and most other countries.
Export handling fee of ₹3,500 is added at checkout. No additional requirements from the buyer.
Tier 1B — Canada & Germany
Additional import compliance requirements apply. Export handling fee of ₹3,500 applies. Contact us before ordering to confirm your specific order is permissible.
Tier 2 — United States
Importing seeds into the US requires a USDA APHIS import permit issued to the buyer. You must upload your permit within 7 days of placing your order — orders without a valid permit are automatically cancelled after 7 days.
Important: Bamboo seeds cannot be shipped to the US under any circumstances.
Apply for your permit at: aphis.usda.gov
Tier 3 — Australia & New Zealand
Australia and New Zealand have strict biosecurity laws governing seed imports. Many species require import permits, treatment, or may be prohibited entirely. You are responsible for verifying that your intended purchase is permissible for import before ordering.
Check requirements: BICON database — Australia
Shipping Partners & Delivery Times
International orders are shipped via India Post EMS (tracked, 7–21 days) or DHL/FedEx Express (5–10 days). Carrier selection depends on destination and order weight. Estimated transit times by region:
- SAARC (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Maldives) — 5–10 days
- Middle East (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain) — 7–12 days
- Southeast Asia (Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines) — 10–16 days
- UK & EU (UK, Germany, France, Netherlands, Italy, Spain) — 14–21 days
- Australia & New Zealand — 14–21 days
- Americas (USA, Canada, Brazil, Mexico) — 18–28 days
- Africa (South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, Ethiopia) — 18–30 days
Add 3–5 working days for phytosanitary certification before dispatch. Customs clearance time is outside our control. All orders ship with a tracking number sent to your email within 24 hours of dispatch.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the ₹3,500 export handling fee cover?
The fee covers the Phytosanitary Certificate (issued by the Plant Protection Organisation of India), the commercial invoice and packing list, certificate of origin where required, inspection, documentation filing, and government processing charges. It is charged once per shipment regardless of order size.
Which countries require a Phytosanitary Certificate?
Most countries require one for seeds imported from India. Countries that always require it include all EU member states, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, UAE and GCC countries, and most African nations. SAARC countries (Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka etc.) generally have lighter requirements — contact us to confirm for your specific country. If you are unsure, we recommend assuming a certificate is required. We have 30 years of experience with international seed export documentation and will advise if needed.
Are there any seeds you cannot export?
Yes. The following cannot be exported regardless of destination:
- CITES Appendix I species — wild-collected Sandalwood (Santalum album) and certain Cycas species. Cultivated, nursery-sourced Sandalwood seeds may be exported with appropriate documentation — contact us.
- Bamboo seeds to the USA — prohibited under USDA regulations, with or without a permit.
- Species on your country's prohibited import list — we will flag these when you contact us with your order list.
Email admin@seedscart.in with your species list and destination country — we will confirm exportability within 24 hours.
What happens if my seeds are seized at customs?
Seizures are rare when proper documentation is in place. In our 30+ years of exporting, the vast majority of shipments with phytosanitary certificates clear customs without issue.
If seeds are seized due to missing buyer-side import permits (for example, a USDA APHIS permit for US orders), we are unable to offer a refund or replacement — obtaining the required permits is the buyer's responsibility. If seeds are seized despite correct documentation on our end, we will work with you to reship where possible. For large or high-value orders, we recommend contacting us with your species list before ordering so we can advise on documentation requirements for your country.
Do I need to pay import duties or taxes in my country?
Import duties, VAT, and other destination-country taxes are the buyer's responsibility and are not included in our shipping charges. Typical rates for seeds:
- EU: 0% duty under HS 1209.91; VAT applies on arrival (5–21% depending on country)
- UK: 0% duty; 0% VAT on seeds intended for sowing
- USA: Generally duty-free under most seed HS codes
- Australia: Duties vary by species after biosecurity clearance
- UAE & GCC: 5% customs duty typically applies
We declare all shipments at full invoice value. We do not under-declare or mark shipments as gifts.
How are seeds packaged for international transit?
Each species is sealed in moisture-proof, food-grade zip-lock packets labelled with species name, quantity, lot number, and germination rate. Packets are placed in a rigid cardboard box with bubble wrap padding, with plain outer packaging. Seeds are held at controlled temperature before dispatch to preserve viability. Our 98% germination guarantee applies to international orders when seeds are stored correctly on receipt — cool, dry, dark conditions.
What payment methods do you accept for international orders?
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and Amex via Razorpay. Prices are displayed in INR and your bank converts to your local currency at the prevailing rate. For bulk orders above ₹25,000 (approx. USD 300), we can accept bank transfer via SWIFT/wire — contact us for bank details. For institutional orders we can issue a Proforma Invoice in USD to facilitate your purchase order process.
Can I place a bulk or wholesale order internationally?
Yes — bulk and institutional orders are a core part of our business. We supply forestry departments, NGOs, agroforestry projects, nurseries, and research institutions internationally. Visit our Bulk & Trade page and submit your enquiry with species list and quantities. We respond within 24–48 hours with pricing, availability, and lead time. Minimum bulk rate is 1 kg per species. We can provide a Certificate of Origin, Phytosanitary Certificate, and Fumigation Certificate as required for your import clearance.
What is your germination guarantee for international orders?
Our 98% germination guarantee applies to all international orders. To make a claim, email support@seedscart.in with your order number, species affected, sowing date, growing conditions, and photos of the germination tray. Claims must be submitted within 60 days of delivery. We reship or refund — we do not accept physical returns of seed packets from international buyers due to biosecurity regulations. The guarantee does not cover failure caused by incorrect sowing depth, inadequate moisture, temperature extremes, or contaminated soil.
USA — How do I get a USDA APHIS import permit?
US buyers must obtain a PPQ Form 587 import permit from USDA APHIS before we can dispatch your order. This permit is free and issued to the buyer. Apply at the USDA APHIS ePermits portal — processing typically takes 5–15 business days. Once issued, email the permit to admin@seedscart.in. Orders without a valid permit are automatically cancelled after 7 days. Note that bamboo seeds cannot be shipped to the USA under any circumstances, with or without a permit.
Australia & New Zealand — What do I need to check before ordering?
Check every species you want to order in the BICON database before placing your order. Many tree seeds require an import permit from DAFF (Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) issued to the buyer. Seeds may be held for biosecurity inspection on arrival, adding 5–15 days. Some species are prohibited entry regardless of certification. We provide full phytosanitary documentation to support your import permit application — email us your species list and we will advise on what is exportable to your country.
UK — Any post-Brexit changes I should know about?
The UK applies its own plant health import regime separately from the EU since Brexit. A Phytosanitary Certificate is required — this is standard for all our exports and included in the ₹3,500 handling fee. Most seeds are duty-free under HS 1209 and VAT at 0% applies to seeds intended for sowing. No additional UK import permit is required for most seed species from India. Delivery typically takes 14–21 days via India Post EMS. The UK is one of our most active international markets and orders typically clear customs smoothly.
UAE & Middle East — What are the requirements?
The UAE and GCC countries are among our most straightforward international markets. A Phytosanitary Certificate is required and is included in the ₹3,500 export handling fee. UAE customs typically applies a 5% import duty on seeds. No additional import permit is required from the buyer for most species. Delivery to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah typically takes 7–12 days — one of our fastest routes. We regularly ship to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. Arabic-language invoices are available on request.
Canada & Germany — Why are these in a separate tier?
Both countries have additional import compliance requirements for seeds from India beyond a standard phytosanitary certificate. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) may require an import permit for certain tree and shrub seed species, and some species are on Canada's Prohibited or Regulated Pest lists. German customs, while following EU plant health regulations, tends to apply stricter inspection protocols for seeds from India than other EU member states. We can and do ship to both countries — we recommend contacting us with your species list first so we can confirm there are no issues and prepare the correct documentation.
Questions?
Email admin@seedscart.in before ordering if you are unsure about import requirements for your country. Our team has 30 years of experience in international seed trade and export documentation and we typically respond within 24 hours, Monday–Saturday.