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 – Free shipping on retail seed packet orders over $25. Free shipping applies to online orders only.
We are now offering FREE shipping (contiguous United States only)! To qualify for free shipping, your order must be placed online and be a minimum of $25 of retail seed packets only. Your order cannot include bulk seed, books, tools, or other merchandise. All orders ship via USPS.

Free shipping on all online orders over $250.
We offer free shipping for all online orders of $250 or more within the contiguous United States regardless of items ordered. Your order will ship via the best method selected by Seed Savers Exchange.

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

Alaska and Hawaiian Customers – Orders ship to these locations via USPS.

Canadian Customers – Orders ship to these locations via USPS.

International – Please call our office at (563) 382-5990 during business hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Central for international shipping costs. More details on our international shipping policy can be found below.

Shipping Time – Seed Savers Exchange typically ships all seed orders within 3-4 business days. Please allow up to 7-14 business days from the date of shipping for domestic delivery.

Bulk Seed Quantities – These are custom packaged and require an additional 1-3 business days to leave Seed Savers Exchange’s headquarters.

Tracking You Order – A tracking number will be emailed to you the day your order is shipped. Actual tracking is usually available within 24 hours. Tracking information is not available for free shipping.

Receiving Your Order – Please open the package within 2-3 days of receipt and inspect the contents 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/REPLACEMENTS are not granted for packages lost after being delivered to the address you provided to us.

Local Sales Tax – Orders shipping to the following states are subject to state and local sales tax. Contact customer service if you need assistance calculating sales tax, or you can use the online calculator at Avalara.com. -Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.

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, if any), provided the product or item is unused and undamaged (in new condition and in its original packaging).

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 – To meet the increased demand for seeds from home and community gardeners we have reduced the number of bulk sizes and varieties available. All available bulk sizes are listed in the catalog or online. We appreciate your understanding.

Wholesale Seed Availability – Some of the varieties in this catalog are also available in larger quantities for B2C businesses. If you are interested in receiving a quote on availability and pricing, please submit the desired items and quantities to [email protected].

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.