Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller is warning Texans to report unsolicited “mystery seed” deliveries from China, which have continued since early 2025.
The Texas Department of Agriculture has collected 1,101 packs of unsolicited seeds at 109 locations across the state since February 2025, according to a press release. Miller warned that introducing an invasive species could pose a “real risk” to Texas families and agriculture.
“This might seem like a small problem, but this is serious business,” Miller said in the release. “We need everyone to report these packages when they arrive so the contents may be gathered and disposed of properly.”
Texas officials most recently found an unsolicited seed package on December 29, 2025. If residents receive a package, they should not open it; instead, keep it sealed and contact the Texas Department of Agriculture at 1-800-TELL-TDA.
An Ongoing Threat
The agency first learned of this issue in early February 2025, when a resident of Clute – south of Houston – received an unsolicited package from China with “unidentified seeds and an unknown liquid,” according to the release.
The same month, a Frisco resident received at least 10 boxes of unsolicited seeds, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. A website concealed the shipment’s origin and “fraudulently” listed a Frisco resident’s address as the return address.
Since then, similar instances surfaced across America in 2025 – in places like Alabama, New Mexico, and Ohio, according to the release. As The Dallas Express reported, similar deliveries – many from China – reached homes in all 50 states in 2020.
The Texas Department of Agriculture warned that these deliveries could be part of a “brushing scam,” in which sellers send unsolicited low-value items to extort people, who post fake verified reviews to boost online sales.
“Due to the risk of introducing an invasive species or other concerns, these mystery seeds could pose a significant threat to agriculture and agricultural producers,” the release reads.
State officials are working with “federal partners” to collect, test, and dispose of these packages to protect Texas’ ecosystem and agriculture.
“Whether it’s part of an ongoing scam or something more sinister, we are determined to protect Texans,” Miller said. “Unsolicited seeds coming into our country are a risk to American agriculture, our environment, and public safety. Texas isn’t going to take chances when it comes to protecting our people and our food supply.”
