Can I Bring My Plants? Moving to South Carolina
Can I bring my plants into South Carolina?
South Carolina's own rule is about nursery businesses: it wants its Crop Pest Commission to inspect and tag plants shipped in by anyone in the trade. What that means for a personal move — someone driving their own plants in — is something we have not found written down. See the categories below for what is and isn't answered.
- Checked Sep 2026
What South Carolina asks for
- HouseplantsHouseplants (no outdoor soil)No data
- Potted plants in soilPotted plants in soilDepends
- Citrus treesCitrus treesDepends
- Other fruit treesOther fruit treesDepends
- Nursery stock & shrubsNursery stock & shrubsDepends
- Cut flowers & bouquetsCut flowers & bouquetsNo data
- Seeds & bulbsSeeds & bulbsNo data
- FirewoodFirewoodNot allowed
- Hay & strawHay & strawDepends
- Soil & compostSoil & compostDepends
6 of these change depending on where you're leaving. Pick a state to see which.
Plant by plant
Houseplants (no outdoor soil)
No data
What South Carolina publishes about houseplants is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons engaged in the nursery business in any state which recognizes and accepts the inspection made by the Commission on shipments made from this State.
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · checked 14 Sep 2026
Potted plants in soil
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 5 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What South Carolina publishes about potted plants in soil is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
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)
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons engaged in the nursery business in any state which recognizes and accepts the inspection made by the Commission on shipments made from this State.
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · checked 14 Sep 2026
Citrus trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 2 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What South Carolina publishes about citrus trees is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
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)
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons engaged in the nursery business in any state which recognizes and accepts the inspection made by the Commission on shipments made from this State.
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · checked 14 Sep 2026
Other fruit trees
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 13 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What South Carolina publishes about fruit trees other than citrus is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
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)
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons engaged in the nursery business in any state which recognizes and accepts the inspection made by the Commission on shipments made from this State.
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · checked 14 Sep 2026
Nursery stock & shrubs
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 18 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: What South Carolina publishes about nursery stock and shrubs is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
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)
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
The provisions of this section shall not apply to persons engaged in the nursery business in any state which recognizes and accepts the inspection made by the Commission on shipments made from this State.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · checked 14 Sep 2026
Cut flowers & bouquets
No data
What South Carolina 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
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
"Nursery stock" means all fruit, nut, and shade trees, all ornamental plants and trees, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown or kept for propagation, sale, or distribution.
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · checked 15 Sep 2026
Seeds & bulbs
No data
What South Carolina publishes about seeds and bulbs is a rule for nurseries and sellers, not for moving your own. We have not found one that covers bringing them yourself.
Source & details
Every person engaged in the nursery business at a place without this State who ships trees or plants into this State shall have them examined by the State Crop Pest Commission, and no such shipment shall be made until and unless such plants have been inspected by the Commission and shall have had placed thereon a tag prepared by the Commission, showing that such trees or plants have been duly inspected and are free from disease.
All trees (fruit, nut, shade and ornamental), ornamental plants, turfgrass, bush fruits, buds, grafts, scions, vines, roots, bulbs, seedlings, slips, tissue culture or other portions of plants (excluding true seeds) grown, collected or kept for propagation, sale or distribution
S.C. Code Title 46, Chapter 33: Shipment and Sale of Trees, Plants, and Shrubs · Nursery and Dealer Licensing Program, Clemson Department of Plant Industry · checked 14 Sep 2026
Firewood
Not allowed
Firewood from a quarantined pest zone in a neighbouring state is illegal to bring into South Carolina. Nothing archived sets out a treatment or certificate route into the state.
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)
it is illegal to move firewood out of those quarantined zones and into South Carolina.
SC 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
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: No data yet on bringing hay and straw into South Carolina.
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)
South Carolina treats one origin differently
North Carolina: Conditional . Hay, straw and fodder from the witchweed area over the North Carolina line can only come in with a certificate or limited permit from the state you're leaving.
Soil & compost
Depends
This one depends on where you are leaving from. 6 states are treated differently from the rest.
From most states: No data yet on bringing soil and compost into South Carolina.
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)
South Carolina treats one origin differently
North Carolina: Conditional . Soil, compost, manure and peat from the witchweed area over the North Carolina line can only come in with a certificate or limited permit from the state you're leaving.
Still stuck? The people who answer this in South Carolina are Clemson University Department of Plant Industry.