Shipping and Returns

Here’s Seed Savers Exchange policy for ordering, shipping, and return policies.

Once you place your order, it cannot be canceled, altered, or modified. Please be sure to review your order items, address, and billing information before submitting your order to ensure everything is correct and accurate. Please contact us online or via phone at (563) 382-5990 if you have other questions regarding your order.

Shipping Information for the United States and Canada

Free Shipping – Online orders $250 or more, within the Contiguous United States. Orders will ship via the best method selected by Seed Savers Exchange. The minimum order amount to qualify for free shipping may vary.

Expedited Delivery – Due to increased demand and the need for social distancing while packing orders, all expedited shipping options are unavailable until further notice.

Hawaiian Customers – Orders are shipped to Hawaii via USPS Priority Mail. We cannot ship perishable items to Hawaii.

Canadian Customers – Orders are shipped to Canada via USPS Airmail. We cannot ship perishable items to Canada.

Shipping Time – Orders with all items in stock will leave our warehouse within 3-4 business days.

Bulk Seed Quantities – Orders for bulk seeds are custom-packed and require 7-10 business days to leave our warehouse.

Tracking You Order – A tracking number will be emailed to you the day your order is shipped.

Receiving Your Order – Please open the package upon receipt and inspect the content against the packing slip. Notify us immediately of any items that are missing or damaged. Please do not discard any damaged items or shipping materials. The shipping carrier may require an inspection prior to approving any claim.

Lost/Stolen Packages – If your package was lost or stolen contact us within 2 weeks of placing your order (for shipments within the USA). NOTE: Refunds are not granted for packages lost after being delivered to the address you provided to us.

Return Policy

Does not apply to wholesale (Seed Rack) customers.

Non-Perishable Items – Within 30 days of receipt, you can return any non-perishable item for a full refund (excluding any shipping charges), provided the product or item is unused and undamaged (in new condition and in its original packaging).

Perishable Items – We guarantee perishable items to be in good, viable condition when we sell them. We strongly encourage you to inspect all items carefully upon receipt. Should there be any quality issues, you must notify us within 3 days of your receipt to request an exchange or refund (excluding any shipping charges). Beyond 3 days from the date of receipt, perishable items are non-refundable. Perishable items will ship separately from seeds and products.

International Orders and Shipping Information

Orders on this site can only be placed for shipping addresses within the United States, Canada, or Puerto Rico.

General – We are pleased to offer our extensive range of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and gardening merchandise to our international customers. In order for us to quickly and efficiently ship your orders, please check with your Ministry of Agriculture for current import restrictions or for necessary permits required for importation before placing an order for seed. Please send all correspondence in English and provide us with your telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address and be sure to let us know your preferred method of communication. E-mail is by far the most efficient manner of communication for us. Please allow up to 4 weeks for the processing of all international orders.

Shipping – All retail international orders pay the actual shipping/freight costs. We will send all orders by USPS (United States Postal Service) Standard Airmail or Priority Airmail. We are not responsible for lost shipments, confiscated items, delayed orders, duties, or taxes.

Phytosanitary Certificates – Buyers will pay the actual costs of phytosanitary certificates if required for delivery. The standard rate for an official phytosanitary certificate from the United States Department of Agriculture is $85.00 USD. Some shipments may require two certificates if the shipment contains both seeds grown in the United States and seeds grown abroad. If this is the case, then the fees will be $170.00 USD.

Under new rules, the European Union now requires phytosanitary certification on the following imported plant products.

• Fruit and vegetables (except that preserved by deep-freezing)
• Cut flowers
• Cut trees or branches retaining foliage
• Grain or grain products
• Hop bales, pellets, and cones
• Seeds
• Other unprocessed or minimally processed plant products, including wood

State agencies are authorized to provide exports with certification services for the new EU requirements. Inspections and phytosanitary certificates are required for each and every shipment after Dec. 14.

Additional Declarations – If additional laboratory testing is required to issue a phytosanitary certificate (for example, Erwinia stewartii, Curtobacterium flaccumfaciens or Xanthomonas campestris), the buyer will pay the actual laboratory costs.

Payment – All international orders must be paid in advance. Credit cards are preferred and we can accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover. Please contact us for other payment arrangements.

Bulk Seed Quantities – All wholesale prices are listed online per variety.

Contact Information – All international orders are shipped out of our headquarters in Decorah, Iowa. Please contact us online, or via phone at (563) 382-5990.

Looking for something else? Check the Customer Support area.