- The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July identified more than a dozen plant species in the bags of unsolicited seeds
- According to plant experts, seeds from other parts of the world could be non-native varieties that harm commodity crops
Amazon.com Inc said it has banned foreign sales of seeds in the United States after thousands of Americans received unsolicited packages of seeds in their mailboxes, mostly postmarked from China.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in July identified more than a dozen plant species ranging from morning glories to mustard in the bags of unsolicited seeds. It warned Americans not to plant the seeds.
According to plant experts, seeds from other parts of the world could be non-native varieties that harm commodity crops.
“Moving forward, we are only permitting the sale of seeds by sellers who are based in the U.S.,” Amazon said in an emailed statement on Saturday.
The company changed its policy on seed sales on Wednesday. The policy change was first reported by the Wall Street Journal
