Is it illegal to smuggle seeds through airport security? How do they check? How will they know?

Question

Is it illegal to smuggle seeds through airport security? How do they check? How will they know?

Answer 1

First of all, if you are using the word smuggle, it is probably illegal.

Most of the time, if you are traveling out of the country, it is going to be illegal. Flora and fauna are unique to each geographical area that they grow in. Sometimes introducing different things to a foreign area will cause imbalances and epidemics so be careful. Also, if you get caught, you may get fined or imprisoned. They may or may not have ways to check.

Let me just give you an example. This elderly couple that were traveling on the same plane as I was did not indicate on their declaration form that they had a large sum of money. Well, as we were clearing customs, one of the dogs was trained to sniff out a component that is found in currency and they were busted. They were not trying to break the law but due to language barriers, they did. They were taken into one of the rooms but who knows what happened after that.

If your flight is not a domestic flight, I would not take the seeds. Is it worth it?

Answer 2

Each country is different on thier agracultural rules.  In the US if our entering from abroad you must declare them.  Most other modern countries also have the rule as well.  I'd check the state dept website for sure or go to  http://www.airtravelrules.info/  and check there as well.

Answer 3

Probably not through security. Security generally looks for anything that could harm the plane, or its passengers, not seed or illegal goods. That doesnt mean if that you couldnt get into trouble if they find it, it just means they generally dont care about things like that,.

Customs is where you can have issues. You will have to delcare any kind of seeds or similar things if you are flying internationally, upon arrival in the country.

Answer 4

Yes, for most international flights anyway. Unless you are going to some country like Hong Kong where there is no agriculture.

They x-ray your bags and sometimes have sniffer dogs.