Buying Tobacco seeds from USA

[peppers-tree]

Got a package in the post this morning. Opened it up without looking at the lable and it contained 4 vials of tobacco seeds.

I know the person they were meant for and will take the package up to them today but, My question is, is it LEGAL to send seeds in the mail . The package was noted as merchandise..I thought all seeds were banned and destroyed.. I might be wrong though..What do you think ?

[imastawka]

Illegally imported,    and illegal to grow tobacco without a license

http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/cth/consol_act/ea190180/s28.html

The seeds should have been destroyed, as they can be a threat

disease-wise to our tobacco industry.

[imastawka]

ECTION 28  ONLY LICENSED PRODUCERS TO PRODUCE TOBACCO LEAF ETC.

28(1)

A person who does not hold a producer licence must not intentionally produce material that is tobacco seed, tobacco plant or tobacco leaf knowing, or being reckless as to whether, the material is tobacco seed, tobacco plant or tobacco leaf.

Penalty:

(a) for tobacco seed or tobacco plant-2 years imprisonment or 500 penalty units; and (b) for tobacco leaf-2 years imprisonment or the greater of: (i) 500 penalty units; and (ii) 5 times the amount of duty, worked out under the regulations, being the duty that would be payable if the tobacco leaf had been manufactured into excisable goods and entered for home consumption on the penalty day.

Note: See section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 for the current value of a penalty unit.

28(2)

A person who does not hold a producer licence must not produce tobacco seed, tobacco plant or tobacco leaf.

Penalty: 100 penalty units.

28(3)

Strict liability applies to subsection (2).

:

“(a) for tobacco seed or tobacco plant-2 years imprisonment or 500 penalty units; and (b) for tobacco leaf-2 years imprisonment or the greater of:”

But note the statement:

“Note: See section 4AA of the Crimes Act 1914 for the current value of a penalty unit.”

penalty unit means $170.

So a ‘fine’ of 500 penalty units equals 500 x $170! Equals $85,000! Thus, if you grow one tobacco plant (without a licence), you are possibly liable for a fine of $85,000!

[peppers-tree]

That's what I thought .. what would you do in this instance? Take them to the Police and let them handle it.. Give it to the buyee and forget about it..

[peppers-tree]

And.. they were purchased on USA Ebay..

[harley_babes_hoard]

There are plenty of seeds that can be imported legally into Australia but as mentioned above tobacco is not one of them.

[zelly888]

If you're the tabacco police then hand them in otherwise give them to whom they were meant for

[wilk1149]

Pass them on. Not your problem. Worst case scenario the cops charge you for possession of them

[peppers-tree]

If we all had the attitude of " Not your problem" Heaven knows what the world would be like... 

Keeping our country safe is a problem and concern for ALL of us..not just a few...

I asked what YOU would do not what you  thought I should do...We should ALL care, after all, our kids and their kids have to live in this world long after we are gone and if you don't care about that, then you shouldnt have kids..

[2106greencat]

Personally, I would not forward, I would either destroy, or if you feel so inclined, contact customs and give buyers details.