Missouri Code of State Regulations
Title 3 - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION
Division 10 - Conservation Commission
Chapter 4 - Wildlife Code: General Provisions
Section 3 CSR 10-4.113 - Ginseng
Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024
PURPOSE: This rule establishes certain requirements for possession and trade in the medicinal plant ginseng. These requirements are necessary to secure federal approval for export of ginseng, in which trade is restricted under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. The principal market for ginseng is China and other Asian countries.
(1) Wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) may be harvested from September 1 through December 31. Wild ginseng plants or roots harvested must possess three (3) or more true leaves (prongs). The entire stalk, minus the mature fruits, shall be kept with the plants until they are taken to the harvester's home or place of business. When harvesting wild ginseng, harvesters shall plant all seeds from harvested plants within one hundred feet (100') of the parent plants. Plants or roots of wild ginseng taken in Missouri, or acquired from outside the state, may be purchased, sold, transported, or exported in dried form only from September 15 through March 15; provided, wet or undried roots may be purchased, sold, transported, or exported from September 1 through March 15 and certified roots may be possessed, purchased, sold, transported, or exported throughout the year in accordance with this rule.
(2) Wild and cultivated Missouri ginseng plants or roots exported from the state must be accompanied by a numbered certificate of origin on forms provided by the department. Roots may be imported from other states, territories or countries only with appropriate certification of origin. Uncertified roots that have been received from outside the state must be returned to that state for certification within thirty (30) days of receipt. Uncertified Missouri wild roots may be possessed only from September 1 through March 15.
(3) Any person, group, or business that purchases ginseng roots in Missouri for resale must register annually with the department as a ginseng dealer, and submit quarterly reports of all transactions within fifteen (15) days of the preceding buying period and an annual report of inventory, on forms provided by the department. Printed copies of these forms can be obtained from the Missouri Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180 and online at www.missouriconservation.org. Annual registration shall be contingent upon compliance with this rule and receipt of the required reports. All records required by this rule shall be retained for three (3) years.
(4) Any person, group or business that purchases ginseng roots in Missouri for resale, but is registered as a ginseng dealer in another state and does not purchase or sell ginseng roots from an address in the state, is not required to register with the department as a ginseng dealer.
