seeds are federally illegal, but the truth of the matter is so many are sold that most countries don't put any effort into finding them. in the us, if they find them, they'll take your seeds, put a note in the package that says you're on a list, and send it on. the list is several thousand people long. and they don't do anything with it.
i've seen the letters, two of my friends have gotten them....they showed the letters to the seed banks and they resent their seeds for free......
the federal government doesn't have the time, man power, or funding to come after people buying seeds.
they also don't have the patience to deal with fuck nut idiots who waste their time. i'm actually trying to do you a favor. don't annoy them, or it'll turn around and bite you in the ass....hard