Plant and Seed Products

Our policy: You must comply with all applicable federal laws when selling plant and seed products. You must also comply with state and local laws applicable to the jurisdiction into which your products are sold as well as the jurisdiction from which you ship. For example, many state laws have shipping label requirements when shipping a live plant. In addition, you are responsible for obtaining any required licenses and permits and are liable for any penalties resulting from non-compliance. Plants, plant products, and seeds may not be imported from outside of the United States.

The following examples of permitted and prohibited listings are not exhaustive, but should be instructive in evaluating products for listing and sale.

For sellers using Fulfillment by Amazon, please also see FBA prohibited products for additional product restrictions.

Shipping and Labeling Requirements

Each shipment of plants, plant products, or seeds must have: (1) the name and address of the shipper or owner; (2) the name of the person to whom the shipment is being sent; (3) the name of the country, state, or territory where the contents were grown; and (4) a statement of the contents. State and local governments may have additional requirements for both interstate and intrastate shipment and labeling of certain plants, plant products, and seeds.

Christmas Trees & Christmas Greenery

Approval from Amazon is required to sell live or fresh-cut Christmas Trees and greenery, such as Christmas wreaths and garlands. As per Amazon policy, only certified vendors are eligible to list live or fresh-cut Christmas trees and greenery on Amazon.com.

Fertilizers

Fertilizers are substances, or a mixture of substances, used to provide nutrients to a plant in order to increase plant growth or crop yield. Fertilizer products may be subject to federal, state, and location regulations, such as state registration or licensing requirements. For more information on fertilizer requirements, please see the Association of American Plant Food Control Officials (AAPFCO).

Examples of Permitted Listings

Plants, plant products, and seeds that are:

• not prohibited by the USDA or applicable state or local government quarantines;
• not imported from outside of the United States or sold by a non-U.S. resident;
• sold by licensed vendors and sellers; and,
• in compliance with all other legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements.

Examples of Prohibited Listings

Plants, plant products, and seeds that are:

• designated by the USDA as “noxious” or similarly classified by applicable state or local government authorities;
• subject to federal, state, or local government quarantines (such as the USDA’s citrus canker quarantine or the Washington State grape virus quarantine);
• taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of the Lacey Act;
• dangerous or fatal when touched or consumed (such as the pong pong seed);
• imported from outside of the U.S. or sold by a non-U.S. resident; and,
• not in compliance with all other legal, regulatory, and licensing requirements.

Additional Useful Information

• USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine program
• Federal and state noxious weed lists
• National Plant Board (provides information on state plant regulations)
• Lacey Act
• Important information for international sellers
• California Seed Law (includes, among other things, a requirement for authorization to sell seeds in California)

Last Updated: 03/03/2021