Commissioner Sid Miller asks Texans to remain vigilant and report unknown seed packages to TDA
Austin, TX (February 14, 2025) – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller reported that the Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) was alerted to a case in Frisco, TX, where a resident’s address was fraudulently used as the return address on boxes containing several unidentified seed packages.
The sender reportedly used Stamps.com to disguise the packages’ source, resulting in recipients sending the unwanted packages back to the return address and the Frisco resident being inundated with returned boxes they did not pack or ship.
“If you receive a package of seeds that you did not order, do not send it back to the listed return address,” says Miller. “Instead, please report those packages to TDA immediately and hold onto them until we can pick them up. Even if the sender appears to be from Texas, the true source could be from China or anywhere. This serious issue could have severe consequences for your health and the biosecurity of Texas agriculture. We need everyone’s cooperation to catch and report these incidents.”
The Frisco resident initially received and returned 10 boxes containing unknown seed packages to their local post office. The resident has received 5-10 seed packages daily and has several more boxes that TDA has gathered for inspection and disposal. The actual sender of these boxes is currently unknown. Still, with several other packages recently being delivered across the country from China, Texans are urged to remain vigilant and continue to report any unsolicited seed packages they receive from any source.
TDA will continue gathering and delivering all seed packages to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for identification and testing. The contents of these packages will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to the recipients. TDA’s partners at APHIS will share the detections with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) partners to identify and halt similar small mail packages from the same sources.
If you receive any unsolicited package containing seeds, do not open it. Keep the contents sealed in their original packaging and immediately contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.
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Update on The Mystery Seed Packages Delivered From China
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller says if you receive a foreign package containing seeds, do not open the seed packaging
Austin, TX (February 12, 2025) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller provided an update on the ongoing issue of unsolicited seed packages arriving in Texas from Chinese vendors. So far, Texas has received a total of 17 seed packets, and on Tuesday, residents in Florida and Washington State reported receiving similar packages.
Miller is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) acting Secretary of Agriculture and the Department of Homeland Security to safely collect these packages and ensure they are delivered to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for a thorough inspection.
“We’re still seeing more mystery seeds from China showing up in Texas,” Miller states. “We are working closely with our partners at USDA, APHIS, the White House, and the Department of Homeland Security to protect our state’s biosecurity. Thanks to Texans reporting these packages, we can monitor the situation closely and take swift action to protect our agriculture and natural resources. If you receive seeds, you didn’t order, don’t open them—report them immediately.”
The contents of these packages will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to the recipients. TDA’s partners at APHIS will share the detections with U.S. Customs partners to identify similar small mail packages from the same sources.
If you receive a foreign package containing seeds, do not open it. Keep the contents sealed in their original packaging and immediately contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.
More Texans Receive Mystery Seed Packages From China
Texas Ag Commissioner says Americans should be cautious about unsolicited packages that contain unknown seeds or liquids
Austin, TX (February 7, 2025) – Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller announced new reports of unsolicited seed packages arriving across Texas from Chinese vendors.
The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) is working swiftly to safely collect these packages and ensure they are delivered to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) for inspection. One Texan reported ordering a dog toy from the Chinese vendor TEMU, only to receive a package of seeds instead.
With the total number of reported packages now at five statewide, Texans are urged to exercise caution when opening any unexpected packages from China.
“It’s clear there’s a trend here, and Americans nationwide need to stay vigilant," Miller emphasizes. “The importance of biosecurity for our country shouldn't be overlooked. We heard back from APHIS; sure enough, the first reported package included an invasive plant species. We need everyone’s support to report these unsolicited packages from China.”
APHIS has identified the seeds and liquid in the package delivered earlier this week to Clute, Texas. The seeds were identified as Sacred Lotus or Nelumbo nucifera seeds, also known as Indian lotus, an aquatic plant. The unlabeled liquid was also confirmed as an accompanying nutrient solution. Sacred Lotus is considered an invasive aquatic plant in many regions, particularly when introduced outside its native range in Asia. While invasive, it is not listed on the federal noxious weed list and is only prohibited in one state, Wisconsin.
“These packages should never have gotten through customs,” Commissioner Miller explains. “Without the proper documentation and consent, the shipment did not meet the entry conditions for the United States. We need to close this loophole in our biosecurity protections. It’s a vulnerability to national security."
An invasive species is an organism that is not native to a particular region. The introduction of this “alien species” can cause economic or environmental harm. In agriculture, an invasive species can destroy native crops, introduce disease to native plants, and possibly harm livestock.
The contents of these packages will be destroyed through steam sterilization at no cost to the recipients. TDA’s partners at APHIS will share the detections with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to identify similar small mail packages from the same sources.
If you receive a foreign package containing seeds, do not open it. Keep the contents sealed in their original packaging and immediately contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.
Mystery Seed Packages From China Appear To Be Back
Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller warns Texans to be vigilant about unsolicited packages containing unknown seeds or liquids
Austin, TX (February 5, 2025) — Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller urges all Texans to exercise extreme caution if they receive unsolicited packages containing unknown seeds or liquids. The Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA) has recently been alerted to a mystery package delivered to Clute, TX, containing unidentified seeds and a liquid container sent unsolicited from China.
“Folks, please take this matter seriously,” Miller stresses. “Receiving any unsolicited liquid or chemical at your doorstep poses a significant risk to the health of you and your family. We also cannot allow unidentified seeds to enter Texas. If planted, invasive plant species will substantially harm the Texas agriculture industry. The TDA will work diligently to identify these unknown seeds and liquids to protect Texas residents.”
The TDA promptly forwarded the package and its contents to the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) division for thorough identification and testing. The TDA will provide additional information when it becomes available.
As heightened tariffs on China have taken effect, the United States Postal Service (USPS) temporarily halted the acceptance of inbound packages from China and Hong Kong on Tuesday, but it has resumed this service. For now, customers should stay alert for any incoming unsolicited packages.
If you receive a foreign package containing seeds, do not open it. Keep the contents sealed in their original packaging, and immediately contact the TDA toll-free at (800) TELL-TDA.
The American Seed Trade Association also issued a reminder to not plant any suspicious seed packets. "Illegal seed shipments pose a risk to U.S. agriculture and local ecosystems, due to the potential threat of harmful insects and pathogens," ASTA says. "Report any unsolicited shipments to your local state dept of ag or contact us for help."
In addition, Seeds Canada has launched the Seed Tip Line. This is a new Seeds Canada tool to report suspicious seed activity and/or suspected intellectual property infringements by calling 1-833-533-6200 or by reporting online at seeds-canada.ca/report. Respecting intellectual property drives innovation and Seeds Canada says we all benefit from innovation with new seed varieties.