@Larisa thanks but unfortunately to receive live plant material from other countries one has to have an import permit or in some cases we only have to have a phytosanitary certificate included with the shipment. On the other hand most seed needs neither of these, just a declaration slip on the envelope. I have ordered and have had seed sent to me from many countries without any problems whatsoever.
What is a declaration slip ? My last trip to England was allowed to bring back plants but not soil. I barerooted and wrapped in wet paper towel plants the night before leaving. Went though customs no problem.
Count yourself lucky @Nyboy , when I imported 3 dozen Michaelmas daisies from England a few years back, they had to come in as bare root cuttings, in other words just little pieces of dormant root with no soil attached. I had to have an import permit plus the phyto. Houseplants may be different, less restrictions as they won't be planted outside. I think in some cases we can get into Canada from the US carrying bare root houseplants without a phyto but I think it all depends in what mood the customs inspector's in that particular day. God forbid they had a fight with their spouse before the came to work, if they did you'd better have a phyto.
A declaration slip (which you get from the post office) just declares what is in the envelope/package and it's value, you fill the information on the slip, sign and date it and stick on the package. In most cases they go through customs quickly without being opened and inspected. If they think it looks suspicious they will open, inspect and confiscated if it's something other than listed.
Oh, well, here it's complicated. This is a large LGBT movement, with legal support. On gay parade, they fly to New York. In Russia gay parades prohibited. Usually a simple flash mob. In big cities easier. We choose people for friendship to other criteria, regardless of sexual orientation. They go from small towns to big cities. LGBT movement helps them. But they are fighting for their rights.