Dirt!

[Jordo]

Hay guys, this might be a strange question but here goes, When I travel around europe next year when I get to a country I want to get a little jar or bag of dirt to bring back with me a keep-sake but I read in my passport and on the state dept. website it tells me, you eather need a permit or a special permission to bring that back into the country. anyone know what the laws or rules are to bring some back? Thanks!

[Numbers]

I wanted to do the same... but knowing Australia's strict quarantine laws, I have no hope in hell of bringing back another country's soil.

www.affa.gov.au/

Hopefully you'll have better luck!

[Kim]

Well, we brought tulip bulbs back from the Netherlands and we had to get a special permit. They even had a dog that could sniff out agricultural items - dirt etc. Weird huh!

I just have to know though, why the heck do you guys want to bring dirt back with you?

[Jordo]

I just always wanted to bring a little dirt back from every place in the world iv been, and eventually get a huge collection from dirt from almsot every place on the world. How did you get that permit? did it cost money and what did you have to do to get it?did you have to get it before hand or at the customs desk?

[Kim]

I think this dirt thing must be a boy thing. ;D

We had to buy our bulbs at a special stand (only certain stands offered the permit) and only certain bulbs qualified. They gave us a little certificate that we had to show. Actually, we had to go through a special area to get the bulbs checked out as well.

I'm thinking that since you can't get that certificate for just general dirt that it's going to be tough..

[Jordo]

I suppose it is a guy thing then cause Iv talked to tons of people and noone knows! I guess Ill hafta call up teh Dept. of Agg. and ask them personally or call up and airport or something lol.Thanks anyhow Kim!

[LHR02]

Try your local customs office.....it will be in the phone book under US Govt.....that's who you will be dealing with when you return so might as well just go straight to them with the question! Let us know what you find out please....not planning on carrying dirt but am curious nonetheless.

ging

[Gemelli]

I see where you're coming from on the dirt thing. Once when I was little, we went to Florida & my mom brought back 2 jars of white sand from the beach. Every time from then on when I saw the jars it reminded me of the beach & our trip in Florida. It's like bringing a little piece of the places you go back home with you. (literally)

[sejvirgo]

i brought tulip bulbs back to the us, as well as a small container of sand and a few shells and didn't have anyone question me.

[Jordo]

Im glad someone see where im comming from! Iv seen from some other sites and stuff, that if you bring back just a small amount they dont really mind but if you want to bring back like a bucket full for some reason you will require a permit.