Wild Ginseng Regulations

Wild ginseng (Panax quinquefolium) is defined as ginseng that is not grown or nurtured by a person. This includes all wild simulated ginseng, from wild or cultivated seeds, planted in a wild forest habitat and not tended in any way prior to harvest.

Recognizing that commercial demands may cause over harvesting of ginseng, Wisconsin law regulates the harvest, sale and purchase of wild ginseng in the state. In order to promote the most sustainable harvesting practices, international trade agreements permit U.S. export of wild ginseng only from those states that can annually show that harvest and export are not harming the wild ginseng resource. The main points of Wisconsin wild ginseng regulations (see s. 29.611 (exit DNR) Wisconsin Statutes and Administrative Rules and chapter 28 (exit DNR)) are covered here.

The regulations do not apply to cultivated or woods-grown ginseng that has been watered, weeded, fertilized, or cared for in some way. They are both regulated by the Department of Agriculture under s. 94.50. Registration for growers and certificates of origin for exporters of cultivated and woods-grown ginseng from Wisconsin are available from the Wisconsin Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, 2811 Agriculture Dr., Box 8911, Madison, WI 53708 (608-224-4575).

Landowners who dig wild ginseng on their own land and do not sell it are exempt from needing a harvester’s license. Those digging on their own land and selling it may obtain a free license. Tribal members do not need a state harvester’s license to harvest ginseng on their own reservation. Ginseng harvest licenses are required for anyone selling their harvest or digging on land they do not own.

Harvesters must have a valid harvester's license in their possession at the time of harvest and sale, and must show the license to conservation wardens upon request and to wild ginseng dealers when selling the ginseng.

Harvester's wild ginseng regulations and licenses are available at all of our License Sales Agents.

Any person who buys at least eight ounces of wild ginseng in Wisconsin for the purpose of resale is considered a dealer and is required to have a Wisconsin Dealer's License. Paid employees or family members of a licensed dealer who are working at the primary place of business for that dealer will be covered by the licensed dealer.

All dealer's licenses are valid July 1 to June 30. Three classes of resident dealer's licenses allow dealers to choose the license that best fits their needs:

• Class A ($100) - allows transactions up to 100 pounds
• Class B ($500) - allows transactions up to 1000 pounds
• Class C ($1000) - allows unlimited amounts of transactions

Non-residents may purchase a non-resident dealer's license ($1000) for unlimited amounts of transactions.

Dealer's licenses are available from the DNR Licensing Section at the address shown above.

Dealers may purchase Wisconsin wild ginseng only from licensed harvesters or licensed dealers and should record the seller's name, address and license numbers on purchase receipts issued by the Department of Natural Resources. Records must be kept of each transaction (purchase and sales) by the dealers who report them annually on forms provided by the Department. State certification by the DNR is required for all of the wild ginseng leaving the state. Dealers are responsible for arranging certification with DNR staff. Dealers are also responsible for ensuring that all roots sold for export as wild ginseng are indeed wild, are five years or older and were legally harvested. Shipments with underage or cultivated roots will be refused at the port of export and returned to the dealer for removal of roots that cannot be legally exported.

The information on this page is from the Wild Ginseng Regulations [PDF 64KB] pamphlet which also contains guidelines for harvesting and replanting ginseng to maintain populations.

Related Links

Harvesting Wild Ginseng in Wisconsin [PDF] (exit DNR)