Biosecurity New Zealand staff at Auckland Airport recently foiled an attempt to smuggle in a range of seeds destined for the garden. The seeds were concealed in small bags that were within other bags of rice and dried vegetables.

Arriving from Nepal, the passenger was fined and put on an alert list.

Seeds and plants purchased online pose significant biosecurity risk. They are often incorrectly declared, may not be what the website claims them to be, or arrive with insufficient information to meet entry requirements.

KVH always recommends purchasing seeds and plants from reputable companies rather than buying online from unknown suppliers who may not be aware of, or are unable to meet, New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements.