I'm off to Toronto at the end of July and my friend has asked if I can bring some lavender seeds as she struggles to get decent ones there.

I'm more than happy to do that but I was wondering if you are allowed to bring them in to Canada. I remember seeing something about not being able to for Australia due to horticultural risks but wasn't sure about Canada.

Is it worth taking it and declaring it when I get there?

No, seeds and agri stuff aren't allowed to be imported. Well, not without D of A clearance.
If you take them you may find a cute little Dept. of Agriculture beagle sniffer dog in its D of A jacket sitting beside you or your luggage !
They got me with some liquorish root that I bought in the UK. I hadn't seen the stuff since I was a kid. They confiscated it and let me off with a warning !

Not quite true, many seeds are allowed in but there is a weight allowance, they must be for propogation, I imported Pumpkin seeds last year, declared them , and waited when the customs guy who went and checked with his boss, when they inspected them and saw there was no soil on them, they let them in. I don't know about Lavander but can't see why they would reject it.

Most seeds no problem. You do not need an Ag clearance for them. The only lavender that propagates from seed well is Lavender 'Lady', the rest are best done from cuttings. Lavender takes so long from seed it is hardly worth it.
Tell your friend to go to a local garden centre, they should be able to help her out.

Lavender seeds are available which grow well; also seedlings in the Spring at many nurseries and grocery stores. I got my last ones at a 'Zehrs' store and they continue to do well --- found among the herbs.

Imported seeds, seedlings, may not be able to handle severe winter weather conditions depending on where they are grown.
There is an excellent company which specializes in herbs 'Richters', located in Goodwood, Ontario who will send out a catalogue showing a huge number of varieties of lavender and other things. You can order seedlings(. and seeds too, I think.) They send them out at the correct time for planting in your area. I have used them in the past and found them to be a reputable company. Google to get their address.

Hope this helps.

Apparently it's not lavender she wants but heather. I think I will take them and declare them and if they take them off of me then so be it.

thank you!

They are not seedlings, but plants grown from cuttings. The only seed grown one sold is Lavender Lady the rest come from cuttings. The reason being they are slower to grow and don't come true.

Many of the seeds sold in North America come from Europe. One needs to check out which USDA hardiness zone the plant can take. It makes no difference where in the world it originated from.

One of the most popular varieties is Lavender Hidcote, a dwarf blue, commonly called English Lavender here. Munstead is a little taller and hardier, but the colour is not as good as Hidcote. The stoechas varieties, (French lavender in the UK and Spanish lavender here) are not very hardy. The variety Anouk is reputed to be slightly hardier for the west coast.

If you are on the East coast look out for Freeman herbs available in garden centres and on the west coast and Alberta Fragro herbs. Also Heritage perennials do a pretty good selection of lavenders.

Seeds you'll have no problems with, plants they won't let in without a phyto certificate and import permit.

As a matter of interest, I just checked the Richters web site and they have 25 different varieties of lavender, including Hidcote, French, Spanish, Lady, Munstead, Provence etc.

As was stated above, the hardiness zone is all important.

As for heather, it can also be bought at local nurseries and garden centres of local grocery stores. Had some for several years, but when my neighbour's trees blocked out the sun they died off.