Job Discussion Forums

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

Can I bring a live plant into Mexico or the seeds so I can grow a plant?

I want to grow some heirloom tomatoes there and would like to bring some seeds with me to start my own container garden... can I?

sarliz · Joined: 22 Feb 2006 Posts: 198 Location: Jalisco

I brought a bunch of seeds with me in my suitcase the last time I came back. I even got the dreaded red light at customs, and was prepared to fork the seeds over, but no one said anything. That being said, I don't know if bringing them is illegal or not, I just got through. And now I'm enjoying my back-yard grown non-iceberg lettuce. Very Happy

deeb · Joined: 27 Jan 2008 Posts: 36 Location: Guadalajara

I can't really offer you much advice on the seeds dilemma, but for those of us in and around GDL, I just bought some lovely organic non-iceberg lettuce seeds at the EcoTienda (Morelos 2178, Col. Ladr�n de Guevara). They are sprouting on my terrace as we speak (or write).

I didn't check for tomato seeds, but I know they had a variety of veggies available.

Good luck with the heirlooms!

veroax · Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 57 Location: Bogot�, Colombia

The last time I flew into Mexico they confiscated a package of Basmati rice and lectured me about the dangers of agricultural products. (I was aware of the dangers, but had thought that packaged goods were fine.) And I didn't get the red light either... they just saw it on the scan and told me that they'd need to take the rice.

They gave me a pamphlet with a list of prohibited items and I think that seeds were on the list... but I'm not entirely sure.

I think the best bet would be to order them online. For example, this site says they send orders anywhere in the world, and they have all manner of tomatoes:

http://www.exotic-seeds-lapalma.com/

Does look like it could be a bit pricy though if you wanted to buy several kinds.

MO39 · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: Re: Plants and/or seeds...

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

I think I would rather have the identifiable seeds confiscated (and it does happen) than have them detain me until they figure out what the contents of the innocuous envelope are that I had hidden somewhere. Embarassed

GringaMexicana · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:33 pm Post subject:

If the seeds are small enough I would stick one or two in the binding of a book.... just a thought.

MO39 · Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 9:44 pm Post subject:

jfurgers · Joined: 18 Sep 2005 Posts: 442 Location: Mexico City

We're leaving this coming Monday (June 1st). We drive from McKinney Texas to Laredo where we'll spend the night. Tuesday June 2nd we drive into Mexico on our way to Mexico City.
I will have a bag with two small containers of organic Wheat Grass I bought. Anyone think I'll have a problem getting my wheat grass powder in?
I'm thinking I'll be OK with everything else I'll have.
soap
toothpaste
deodorant made from mineralized salt.

MikeySaid · Joined: 10 Nov 2004 Posts: 509 Location: Torreon, Mexico

I've brought hippie soaps and stuff like that in without any issue, it's the agricultural products that I worry about.

After doing some reading, my guess is that if my seeds get noticed, they'll probably end up in the trash. Doesn't mean I'm not going to try, though.