the problem with smuggling is that the recipient can have charges laid against them. strangely though capsicum seeds are only restricted if they are not correctly labelled (inside and outside the package/envelope) or you have exceeded the maximum volume which if memory serves me correctly is 1000 seeds (but I can't remember where I read that). the way to get the seeds confiscated is by trying to smuggle them. the way to get them through is to declare them the proper way - unless you live in Tasmania and then none will get through. I've received seeds from all over the world and I've never had any taken because I always have the sender declare them. with the xray equipment they have these days you are more likely to have the seeds found than not. I'm sure I must be on some sort of Australia Post watchlist because all my packages get inspected.
check out
www.aqis.gov.au for details. I've attached the bit relating to chilli seeds:
http://www.aqis.gov.au/icon32/asp/e...ry=Go+to+full+text&intSearch=1&LogSessionID=0
"Condition C11817
Species listing for Capsicum spp.
See Table 1 for a list of species that are permitted entry.
Note: Any species not listed in these tables are prohibited entry into Australia by legislation and require assessment.
Table 1: List of Permitted Species. These species may be imported subject to the conditions C7100, C7179, C7180.
Capsicum annuum
Capsicum annuum var. acuminatum
Capsicum annuum var. annuum
Capsicum annuum var. aviculare
Capsicum annuum var. cerasiforme
Capsicum annuum var. conoides
Capsicum annuum var. fasciculatum
Capsicum annuum var. glabriusculum
Capsicum annuum var. grossum
Capsicum annuum var. longum
Capsicum annuum var. minimum
Capsicum anomalum
Capsicum cerasiforme
Capsicum chinense
Capsicum conoides
Capsicum cordiforme
Capsicum fastigiatum
Capsicum frutescens
Capsicum frutescens var. cerasiforme
Capsicum frutescens var. conoides
Capsicum frutescens var. fasciculatum
Capsicum frutescens var. grossum
Capsicum frutescens var. longum
Capsicum grossum
Capsicum hispidum var. glabriusculum
Capsicum minimum
Capsicum petenense
Capsicum pubescens
Capsicum violaceum
Condition C7100
Importer’s Responsibilities
1. An Import Permit is not required.
2. Genetically modified seeds must be accompanied by a copy of a valid Import Permit. All applications must be forwarded to AQIS Plant Programs, Canberra along with detailed information regarding the mode of genetic modification and the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator (OGTR) registration number.
3. It is the importer’s responsibility to check state government/local government requirements to ensure that the seed is permitted entry into that state/territory.
4. The importer must contact the AQIS regional office in the port of entry to confirm all arrangement for inspections and treatments.
5. The importer is responsible for payment of all associated AQIS fees and charges.
6. Seed must be free of live insects, soil, disease symptoms, prohibited seeds, other plant material (e.g. leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (e.g. animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of quarantine concern.
7. All consignments imported into Australia for all end uses must meet the AQIS standards for seed contaminants and tolerances (see below). Contamination with other restricted seeds must not exceed the tolerances in Table 1. There is a nil tolerance for prohibited seeds (see Table 2).
8. Each shipment must be packed in clean, new packaging, clearly labelled with the full botanical name (i.e. genus and species).
9. Packets of seed containing mixed genera or species are not permitted entry due to the difficulties of inspecting them for contaminants. Importers wishing to import packets of seed containing mixed genera or species must obtain prior approval from AQIS. All applications must be forwarded to AQIS Plant Programs, Canberra.
Note: Where the Quarantine Officer is able to determine that the packet of seed consists of blends or mixes of traits (such as colour or size) of the same species then the seed may be permitted entry provided that all other conditions of import are met.
10. Pelleted seed of permissible flower, vegetable, herb and pasture/forage seeds may be permitted entry provided that the pelleted seed was commercially produced and packaged and pelleting was carried out using inert material only, see Pelleted Seed Conditions below for further details on requirements and conditions of entry.
11. Containers, timber packing, pallets or dunnage associated with the consignment will be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival, unless certified as having been treated by an AQIS approved treatment. (Refer to the AQIS publication ‘Cargo Containers: Quarantine aspects and procedures’).
12. Full Container Load (FCL) Consignments
In addition to the above, the following requirements also apply to FCL consignments:
a) Consignments from non-khapra beetle countries:
Containers: open-top, open-sided, insulated and those without wall lining require:
· a packer’s declaration indicating that the container was unlined/insulated/open-top/open-sided, in sound condition and, prior to loading, was cleaned to achieve freedom from contamination by soil, plant and animal residues and insects; and
· an official international Phytosanitary certificate for the agricultural produce immediately prior to loading.
Containers with wall lining require:
· a packer’s declaration indicating the container had wall lining in sound condition and, prior to loading, was cleaned to achieve freedom from contamination by soil, plant and animal residues and insects;
· a certificate of fumigation of the empty container, immediately prior to loading, under a gas-tight sheet with methyl bromide at 80g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC at Normal Atmospheric Pressure (T9058); and
· an official international Phytosanitary certificate for the agricultural produce immediately prior to loading.
b) Consignments from khapra beetle countries:
Containers: open-top, open-sided, insulated and those without wall lining require:
· a packer’s declaration indicating that the container was unlined/insulated/open-top/open-sided, in sound condition and, prior to loading, was cleaned to achieve freedom from contamination by soil, plant and animal residues and insects; and
· an official international Phytosanitary certificate for the agricultural produce immediately prior to loading with the added endorsements stating it was free from khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts).
Containers with wall lining require:
· a packer’s declaration indicating the container had wall lining in sound condition and, prior to loading, was cleaned to achieve freedom from contamination by soil, plant and animal residues and insects;
· a certificate of fumigation of the empty container, immediately prior to loading, under a gas-tight sheet with methyl bromide at 80g/m³ for 24 hours at 21ºC at Normal Atmospheric Pressure (T9058); and
· an official international Phytosanitary certificate for the agricultural produce immediately prior to loading with the added endorsements stating it was free from khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium Everts).
c) Timber packaging, pallets, or dunnage in FCL consignments will be subject to inspection and treatment on arrival, unless certified as having been treated by an AQIS approved treatment. (Refer to the AQIS publication ‘Cargo Containers: Quarantine aspects and procedures’).
Quarantine Procedures
13. All documentation must be presented to a Quarantine Officer for examination on arrival.
14. All consignments must be inspected on arrival and samples drawn to inspect for freedom from live insects, soil, disease symptoms, prohibited seeds, other plant material (e.g. leaf, stem material, fruit pulp, pod material, etc.), animal material (e.g. animal faeces, feathers, etc.) and any other extraneous contamination of quarantine concern.
15. Consignments may require ISTA sampling and analysis. It is not possible to provide comprehensive instructions that will cover every situation that may arise in dealing with the quarantine inspection and sampling of consignments of seeds, but the following may be used by the Quarantine Officer as a general guide:
a) Individual lines or lots of seed with a combined weight of 10 kgs or less should be visually inspected by the Quarantine Officer for any contaminants. If contaminants are detected or suspected a sample is to be drawn in accordance with ISTA procedures and submitted to a Quarantine approved seed-testing laboratory for analysis. Consignment must be held under quarantine pending results of the analysis.
b) Individual lines or lots of seed with a combined weight over 10 kgs (e.g. 22 x 500 gm packets or 3 x 5 kg bags) should be sampled by the Quarantine Officer in accordance with ISTA procedures and the samples submitted to a Quarantine approved seed-testing laboratory for analysis. Consignment must be held under quarantine pending results of the analysis..."
There's plenty more there but you get the drift - check the link and follow the rules and you will never have seeds confiscated ever again, unless of course the inspector is a chilehead...