I feel like I should know the answer, but before I go to Provence next month, I'd like to know whether I will be able to bring dried lavender back to the U.S. Thanks to anyone who can help!

Our seeds that we collected throughout our trip to Europe were confiscated at customs when we returned to the US. I doubt flowers would be different.

From the Customs and Border Patrol website:

"Some plants, cuttings, seeds that are capable of propagation, unprocessed plant products and certain endangered species are allowed into the United States but require import permits and other documents; some are prohibited entirely. Threatened or endangered species that are permitted must have export permits from the country of origin.

Every single plant or plant product including handicraft items made with straw, must be declared to the CBP officer and must be presented for CBP inspection, no matter how free of pests it appears to be. For information on importing plants or plant products visit the Plant, Organism and Soil Permits page."

Hi J,

It is unlikely that you will be able to bring dried lavender into the US.

But, why would you want to do so?

What's wrong with lavender oil, etc?

There wouldn't be any point to this. I don't know what you'd do with dried lavender, (decorate I guess) but if you must have it, lavender does grow in the US, you know. Try Pottery Barn.

I agree w/ Cristina. The lavender grown in the US is as good as that in France (or should I say the lavender grown in France is as good as that in the US?). You can even get it fresh, especially in the Pacific Northwest. They seemed to have it at every farmers market in Seattle, for instance.

I'm aware that lavender grows in the U.S. since I grow it in my own garden. What I didn't make clear is that, while I wouldn't just bring back a "bunch" of lavender, I anticipate I may see some lovely souvenir kind of item in Provence that contains the dried lavender flowers. Now I know for sure not to bother - I will happily settle for soaps, etc. Thanks, everyone, for your help.

Truly, don't bother. There's lavender all over Provence being sold in every conceivable way imaginable at extortionist prices, but dried lavender is dried lavender. Even if you could get it past the Ag people, it's not worth it. Buy some lavender oil or lavender perfume or one of those little decorated pots you put dried lavender in (and put your own in it).

I brought back a bumch from a friends garden
without a problem. The little sachets of lavender are popular gift items.

You can bring back Lavender as long as it is considered a "spice". Otherwise, it you don't declare it, who will know the difference? Certainly not the little puppy who's looking for drugs or Jamon.

Every year I bring back lavender sachet bags as little gifts for people. I never knew I wasn't supposed to and no one has ever questioned it (of course, not knowing it was a no-no, I never declared it).

Of course you can bring dried lavender back. It's available in sachets, and I must have returned with a dozen each visit for gifts. You can can also get lavender wands and other items made out of the dried stuff, in addition to soap and oils. The Ag people have always combed through our purchases because we declare food (usually tapenade and olives) and never, ever showed any interest in the lavender.

Fresh might be a different issue.

P.S. We always declared the lavender.

I've brought back the sachets and never had a problem. Ive mailed dry lavendar stalks made into dried flower arrangements and stated on the customs label attached what it was, and also never had it confiscated.

Robert2523, last spring when we arrived back in the U.S., the sniffer dog went crazy over my hand luggage....when we emptied everything out, the customs agent thought it was probably the packaged chocolate that got the dog's attention. He also asked if we had carried any fresh produce in the bag while in Europe, and we had indeed had apples with us about a week before we returned to the States! The agent's only comment was, "that dog's got a great nose". After that experience, I think I'll stick to sachets.

Just like Robert, when we returned from London in April, the dogs were very adamant that there was "something" in our bags. It turned out to be an apple from the hotel breakfast. We received an official warning notice in writing and a verbal warning that if it happened again we could face a fine of hundreds of dollars for not declaring something They made a big show of taking the passports of our whole family, presumably to log or copy. Whatever you do, be sure to declare ANYthing you bring back. As a college student I could carry a case of booze in a clanking knapsack and no one looked twice when I said I had nothing to declare. those days are definitely gone.

my bunch of lavender was a bouquet that I let dry before going home. One year I did the same for some olive branches
but unfortunately overlooked a small dried olive, and they confiscated that from me.

Excellent source for US lavender:

www.lavenderwindfarm.com

Enjoy!