Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to Alabama
Can I bring my plants into Alabama?
Alabama waves houseplants through, but anything you'd plant outdoors needs an inspection certificate and has to arrive with no soil on it. Citrus is the hard one: if you're moving house, you can't bring it at all.
- Checked Sep 2026
What Alabama asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)Fine
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilConditional
- Citrus treesCitrus treesNot allowed
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesConditional
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsConditional
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsNo data
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsDepends
- FirewoodFirewoodDepends
- Hay & strawHay & strawConditional
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
3 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
Fine
Alabama generally doesn't ask for houseplants to be inspected, as long as none of them is on its noxious weed list. Outdoor plants and citrus are another matter.
Source & details
House plants are generally not required to be inspected prior to moving to Alabama, provided none of those plants are on the noxious weed list .
Outdoor plants you are relocating to Alabama, will need a certificate of inspection indicating that they are apparently disease and pest free.
Even with a certificate, homeowner’s citrus trees are prohibited from being imported into Alabama.
Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Potted plants in soil
Conditional
- Certificate
Outdoor plants you're relocating need a certificate of inspection saying they look free of pests and disease. Plants that have only ever been indoors don't.
You'd need: Certificate of inspection from the state you're leaving
Because of: Japanese beetle.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)
Outdoor plants you are relocating to Alabama, will need a certificate of inspection indicating that they are apparently disease and pest free.
Regulated articles shipped to category 1 and category 2 states must be produced and certified according to options as outlined additional requirements or limitations imposed by a state quarantine must be followed.
Category 2 States with established quarantines Alabama Administrative Code, Chapter 80-10-4 http://www.alabamaadministrativecode.state.al.us/docs/agr/McWord10AGR4.pdf Colorado - Code of Colorado Regulations, Number 8 CCR 1203-21 https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/sites/default/files/Rules%20for%20Nursery%20Program%20- %20Japanese%20Beetle%20Quarantine.pdf New Mexico Administrative Code, Title 21, Chapter 17, Part 27
Soil, humus, compost, manure, and all growing media (except when commercially packaged) All plants with roots (except bareroot plants free from soil). Free from soil means plants with less the amount of soil or growing media that can harbor any life stage of Japanese beetle (egg, pupa, or larva). Some states define this as free from soil or growing media larger than ½ inch. Grass sod Plants with crowns or roots for propagation (except when free from soil) Bulbs, corms, tubers, and rhizomes of ornamental plants (except when free from soil)
Plant Protection resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · U.S. Domestic Japanese Beetle Harmonization Plan (hosted by WSDA) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Citrus trees
Not allowed
- Certificate
Alabama won't let you bring citrus when you move, indoors or out, and a certificate doesn't change that. The only citrus allowed in comes from a USDA-certified nursery.
Because of: Citrus greening (HLB).
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Citrus greening and Asian citrus psyllid (7 CFR 301.76): Citrus plants may not be moved interstate out of a citrus greening quarantine area unless a specific provision allows it. APHIS asks people not to mail or carry home-grown citrus plants out at all. Leaving Georgia, Florida, or parts of Alabama, California, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart N: Citrus Greening and Asian Citrus Psyllid (eCFR)
Even with a certificate, homeowner’s citrus trees are prohibited from being imported into Alabama.
Homeowners moving to Alabama with citrus trees, cannot bring those trees with them when they move to Alabama.
You cannot ship or bring citrus plants into Alabama unless those trees come from an USDA certified citrus nursery with a USDA-APHIS approved screen house that does not utilize overhead irrigation and follows the USDA Citrus Nursery Stock Protocol.
Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Conditional
- Soil-free
- Certificate
A fruit tree counts as an outdoor plant, so it needs an inspection certificate saying it looks free of disease and pests, and it has to travel with no soil on it. Citrus is barred outright.
You'd need: Inspection certificate saying the plants look free of disease and pests · The plants bare-rooted, with no soil
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Outdoor plants you are relocating to Alabama, will need a certificate of inspection indicating that they are apparently disease and pest free.
In addition, no soil may be included with the plant.
Even with a certificate, homeowner’s citrus trees are prohibited from being imported into Alabama.
Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Conditional
- Soil-free
- Certificate
Anything you'd plant outdoors needs an inspection certificate saying it looks free of disease and pests, and it has to arrive with no soil on it.
You'd need: Inspection certificate saying the plants look free of disease and pests · The plants bare-rooted, with no soil
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Spongy moth (trees and shrubs with roots) (7 CFR 301.45): A tree or shrub with roots needs a federal certificate or permit to leave a spongy moth quarantine area. Anything greenhouse-grown all year is exempt, so this is about what has been living in your garden. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Outdoor plants you are relocating to Alabama, will need a certificate of inspection indicating that they are apparently disease and pest free.
In addition, no soil may be included with the plant.
House plants are generally not required to be inspected prior to moving to Alabama, provided none of those plants are on the noxious weed list .
Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
No data
What Alabama publishes about cut flowers and bouquets is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
If you sell live plants, plants with a root system and in soil, you are required to have a nursery dealer certificate. If you only sell cut flowers, you do not.
Plant Protection Resources, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries · checked 14 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 24 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Seed is not a regulated article under Alabama's Japanese beetle rule at all. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes only need a certificate if they carry soil and came from a state Alabama regulates for the beetle.
Source & details
Alabama treats 24 origins differently
Connecticut: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Delaware: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
District of Columbia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Georgia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Illinois: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Indiana: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Kentucky: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Maine: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Maryland: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Massachusetts: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Michigan: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Missouri: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
New Hampshire: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
New Jersey: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
New York: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
North Carolina: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Ohio: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Pennsylvania: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Rhode Island: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
South Carolina: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Tennessee: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Vermont: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Virginia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
West Virginia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated. Bulbs, corms, tubers or rhizomes with soil attached need a certificate or permit; seed is not a regulated article at all, and soil-free bulbs are exempt too.
Regulated articles originating outside of a regulated area may be moved without a certificate or permit if the point of origin is clearly indicated on the shipping document accompanying the regulated articles
(1) Out-of-state regulated areas: Connecticut Maryland Ohio Delaware Massachusetts Pennsylvania District of Columbia Michigan Rhode Island Georgia Missouri South Carolina Illinois New Hampshire Tennessee Indiana New Jersey Vermont Kentucky New York Virginia Maine North Carolina West Virginia
True bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers of ornamental plants;
True bulbs, corms, rhizomes and tubers of ornamental plants if free of soil
Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.08: Certificate Or Permit Required For Movement Of Articles · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.07: Regulated And Suppressive Areas · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.06: Regulated Articles · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.06: Regulated Articles · checked 16 Sep 2026
Firewood
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Nothing stops you bringing firewood into Alabama. The state asks visitors to leave it at home and buy locally instead.
Because of: State firewood rules.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Gypsy moth (outdoor household articles) (7 CFR 301.45): Firewood counts as an outdoor household article. Moving it out of a gypsy moth quarantine area needs a certificate, or the self-inspection checklist from the "Don’t Move Gypsy Moth" program aid. Leaving Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, or parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, West Virginia. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart E: Gypsy Moth (eCFR)
Alabama state authorities ask the public to adhere to the following firewood guidelines to limit the spread of harmful forest pests in Alabama: Buy and use locally harvested firewood If you are visiting from another state, leave your firewood at home
AL firewood rules, Don’t Move Firewood (The Nature Conservancy) · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Hay & straw
Conditional
- Certificate
- Permit
Hay and straw from an area Alabama has flagged for noxious weeds need a certificate or permit. Hay carrying a noxious weed can't come in at all.
You'd need: Certificate or permit, if the hay comes from an area Alabama has flagged
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
A certificate or permit must accompany the movement of regulated articles from regulated areas into Alabama.
(5) Hay, straw, or other material of a similar nature;
The movement of Class A, B, or C noxious weeds or any regulated article infested with Class A, B, or C noxious weeds into or within Alabama is prohibited.
The Commissioner may take action as authorized under 2-25-4 and 2-25-5, Code of Ala. 1975 to designate as a regulated area any state or portion of a state in which there is reasonable cause to believe that a noxious weed exists, and there is an immediate need to prevent its introduction, spread or dissemination in Alabama.
Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.07: Conditions Governing The Movement Of Regulated Articles · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.06: Regulated Articles · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.05: Regulated Areas · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-14-.05: Regulated Areas · checked 14 Sep 2026 · the general rule is clear, this exact case isn’t spelled out
Soil & compost
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 27 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: Soil and compost from most states come in freely. Only material from a state Alabama names as Japanese-beetle-regulated needs a certificate or permit, and commercially packaged soil or compost is always exempt.
Because of: Japanese beetle.
Source & details
Federal quarantines, depending where you are leaving
Imported fire ant (7 CFR 301.81): Leaving a fire ant quarantine area with soil, baled hay or plants rooted in soil needs a federal certificate or permit, attached to the container, wherever you're going. (NM's only county was deregulated in Aug. 2025.) Leaving Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, or parts of Arkansas, California, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia. 7 CFR 301.81 Imported Fire Ant: Federal Domestic Quarantine (California PQM 214)
Witchweed (7 CFR 301.80): Witchweed is regulated in a handful of Carolina counties, not the whole of either state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of the Carolinas, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of North Carolina, South Carolina. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart O: Witchweed (eCFR)
Golden nematode (7 CFR 301.85): Golden nematode is regulated in parts of a few New York counties, not the whole state. Leaving one of those with soil or plants that carry it needs a federal certificate or permit; the rest of New York, it doesn't apply. Leaving parts of New York. 7 CFR Part 301 Subpart R: Golden Nematode (eCFR)
Alabama treats 24 origins differently
Connecticut: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Delaware: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
District of Columbia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Georgia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Illinois: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Indiana: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Kentucky: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Maine: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Maryland: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Massachusetts: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Michigan: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Missouri: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
New Hampshire: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
New Jersey: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
New York: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
North Carolina: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Ohio: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Pennsylvania: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Rhode Island: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
South Carolina: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Tennessee: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Vermont: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Virginia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
West Virginia: Conditional . Alabama names this state as Japanese-beetle-regulated, so soil and compost need a certificate or permit before they cross into Alabama. Commercially packaged soil or compost is the exception.
Regulated articles originating outside of a regulated area may be moved without a certificate or permit if the point of origin is clearly indicated on the shipping document accompanying the regulated articles
(1) Out-of-state regulated areas: Connecticut Maryland Ohio Delaware Massachusetts Pennsylvania District of Columbia Michigan Rhode Island Georgia Missouri South Carolina Illinois New Hampshire Tennessee Indiana New Jersey Vermont Kentucky New York Virginia Maine North Carolina West Virginia
Soil, humus, compost, muck, peat, and decomposed manure, if commercially prepared, packaged, and shipped in original containers
Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.08: Certificate Or Permit Required For Movement Of Articles · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.07: Regulated And Suppressive Areas · Ala. Admin. Code r. 80-10-4-.06: Regulated Articles · checked 16 Sep 2026
Still stuck? The people who answer this in Alabama are Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries.