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Postal Explorer > Publication 52 - Hazardous, Restricted, and Perishable Mail > 5 Perishable Matter > 56 Plants
The mailing of plants and plant products is subject to certain prohibitions and
restrictions imposed by federal agricultural and conservation statutes. When
these prohibitions and restrictions render the shipment of any plant or plant
product as unlawful, then those plants are nonmailable. For more
information, see DMM 601.9; Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on
Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter; and Publication 4, Importing
Animal and Plant Products Through Overseas Military Post Offices.
The USDA imposes quarantines on specific plants to prevent the introduction
of agricultural diseases or pests into the United States and to prevent their
spread from one part of the United States to another.
There are domestic quarantines that apply to the continental United States;
other quarantines that apply to Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin
Islands; and others that apply to other territories and possessions. The
quarantines prevent the spread of specific diseases and pests. Any plant or
plant matter that is under quarantine is nonmailable.
Plant quarantines cover a great variety of plant diseases and pests, and all
areas of the country. For more specific information, consult Publication 14,
Prohibitions and Restrictions on Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter.
Plants under quarantine by the USDA may be moved from the quarantine
areas only after being inspected and after a permit or certificate is issued.
Refer to ASM 274.9 regarding USDA inspection of mail.
Wettable packing materials and roots or butts of plants must be wrapped or
boxed in a waterproof material. The material must be heavy enough to retain
the moisture content needed for the roots of the plants without weakening the
strength of the box, and must be able to withstand Postal Service handling
without leakage or loss of the packing material or contents. Waterproof
material means one of the following:
a. Tar-centered paper.
b. Kraft paper waxed on one side.
c. Kraft paper with a waxed or tarred paper liner.
d. Plastic wrap.
The tops of all bundles must be wrapped with a covering of paper, straw, or
similar material to protect the plant from injury or drying out. If the plant has
thorns or pointed projections, the wrapper must be puncture proof.
For further information about specific plants or diseases, or about
requirements for international shipments, consult the local county agriculture
agent or the following federal agency:
ANIMAL AND PLANT HEALTH INSPECTION SERVICE
US DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
4700 RIVER RD
RIVERDALE MD 20737-1228
Under the respective provisions in 39 USC 3015(a), (b), or (d), the following
items are nonmailable:
a. Any injurious animal, the importation or interstate shipment of which is
prohibited under 18 USC 42.
b. Any plant pest, the movement of which is prohibited under section 103
or 104 of the Federal Plant Pest Act (7 USC 150bb or 150cc).
c. Any fish or wildlife, the conveyance of which is prohibited under section
3 of the Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 (16 USC 3372).
For more information, see Publication 14, Prohibitions and Restrictions on
Mailing Animals, Plants, and Related Matter.
Criminal penalties are specified in 18 USC 1716d for mailing anything that is
nonmailable under 39 USC 3015(a), (b), or (d).
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