Why are people receiving strange seeds in the post from China – are they safe to plant?

Of all the parcels you might expect to receive in the post, mysterious packages of seeds might not rank too highly on the list.

But that’s exactly what’s been happening in the US and now the UK, with reports that some people have been receiving unsolicited parcels from China in the post, containing packages of unidentified seeds.

Just what’s it all about, what are the seeds – and is it safe to plant them?

Here’s what you need to know…

Why are people receiving seeds from China in the post?

It’s not quite clear why people are receiving these packages, but warnings have been issued about them in all 50 states of the US.

The unsolicited packages often have Chinese writing on them and are often labelled as containing earrings or jewellery – which might mean they avoid biosecurity checks or charges.

Although many of the reports of packages seem to come from the US – with 630 instances reported in Florida alone – there have also been about 100 reports of people receiving them in England.

The United States’ Department Of Agriculture has issued a statement, saying it is ‘aware that people across the country have received unsolicited packages of seed from China’.

They have said they are working with Department of Homeland Security’s Customs and Border Protection, and other federal agencies to try and get to the bottom of what’s going on.

The USDA has suggested that the packages might be related to a ‘brushing scam’ – a ruse sometimes used by online sellers as a way of boosting their own business.

The scam involves people sending unsolicited items to people via fake customer accounts – thus generating a transaction, which allows them to leave a positive review on their websites, potentially boosting their business.

What kind of seeds are they and are they safe to plant?

The USDA has said that following investigation on some of the seeds received, saying that they include seeds for such herbs as mint, sage, cabbage, mustard, rosemary and lavender as well as for hibiscus and roses.

However they have advised anyone who receives seeds not to plant them, amid concerns some could belong to invasive species which could threaten plant life – and instead to report it to them, and await further instructions.

In the UK, the Animal and Plant Health Agency (Apha) of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has issued similar advice.

“Biosecurity is of vital importance and we have robust checks in place to protect our plants and wildlife, including for online plant sales,’ Apha told the Guardian in a statement.

‘We are currently investigating packages of seeds marked as ‘ear studs’ sent to people in the UK. Anyone who has received such seeds should not plant them and instead report them to us.’

Anyone who receives one of these unsolicited packages should email PlantHealth.Info@apha.gov.uk.

Meanwhile China’s foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told a news briefing that the country has strict restrictions on the sending of seeds by mail, and that records on the parcels have been falsified.

‘China Post has negotiated with US post to return these fake mails to China,’ he explained.

MORE: Tensions grow between UK and China as ministers prepare to quit Hong Kong treaty

Follow Metro across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Share your views in the comments below.