Taking seeds & plants out of United Kingdom
Seeds and live plants exported from United Kingdom need phytosanitary certification for most destinations; casual carriage is routinely seized on arrival.
Details
Most destinations require a phytosanitary certificate issued by United Kingdom's plant-protection authority for seeds and live plants under the IPPC framework — the certificate is obtained origin-side before departure. Endangered plant species (orchids, cacti, cycads) additionally require CITES export permits. Strict-biosecurity destinations (Australia, New Zealand, US) prohibit or tightly restrict casual seed and plant imports regardless of certification, and undeclared seeds are among the most commonly seized items in arrival screening. Commercial seed export also faces variety-registration and, in some countries, export-control rules for agricultural genetics.
Quantity limits
Phytosanitary certificate required for most destinations; CITES species need permits
Documentation required
- Phytosanitary certificate
- CITES permit (protected species)
The other direction
Bringing seeds & plants into United Kingdom(restricted)