buying in the usa

[harleymike]

Was wondering. Can I buy saltwater livestock in the states and bring it across the boarder.

 

[TORX]

Short answer is yes.

Well so long a you are rich with money to burn. But I will let the boys here take over why lol

Sent from my SGH-T989D using Tapatalk 2

 

[reeffreak]

Ya can bring back specific types of fish like clowns an other types . No coral or Liverock .

 

[reeffreak]

Well you can if you want to risk it , I know others have and will chime in but your always risking losing it .

 

[Giglio324]

Let me say from first hand experience tread carefully. when in doubt dont buy it. I bought an aquarium in the US and despite not bringing over any livestock the canadian customs (dicks) kept me there for 2 hours and still made me pay all the tax on the thing. It was a private sale. The border guard even said if there was a coral hidden in one of the pails of water i would be in big trouble. be very careful and declare everything, cuz if your lying they will do a cavity search and nobody likes that.
goodluck tho

 

[TORX]

"If you have your paper work in order, Customs officials cannot confiscate your property (corals) without due cause. If they suspect you are smuggling a CITES protected species into the country, then yes, they can, but they cannot seize and destroy a bag of corals 'just because'. You can also get your US buyer to fill out a NAFTA Certificate of Origin stating that all the specimens you are bringing into Canada were 100% cultured in the United States - even a simple signed declaration may help immensely.

Oh, and this is one very few people think of.... calling your local customs office and asking questions! They usually don't mind having somebody call up and ask them about this kinda stuff, and can usually be very helpful, giving you tips on how to get through customs legally with a minimum of fuss. "

SOURCE: http://www.aquariumpros.ca/forums/archive/index.php/t-37358.html

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

You cwn bring fish back ?..i have bought coral and rock back. ..just tell them what yu have amd show the receipt ..i just buy small amounts like 100 dollars worth ..and buy 100 dollars worth of grocerys to ..when its fish.  They wanna see them.    ..but get disaapointed when its not a nice colorfull angel ...

 

[reeffreak]

I spoke with them at the bridge there is certain types of ornamental fish that can be brought over Liverock can not be

 

[reeffreak]

They sure can take whatever they feel like taking, I've been down the road of calling and speaking with someone and u cannot bring coral back or not supposed to be able to or Liverock , you must have a cites to bring any coral back over the border it's against import /export laws 

 

[Petercar (RIP Dec 2017)]

Its all in who is rununing the booth when yu come back.  That why i just buy 100 worth.  If they take it no big deal if they dont good or you

 

[reeffreak]

Not worth the risk .... they can do more then just take it away , they could potential charge you, reek havoc on your vehicle ( rip it to pieces ), cavity searches and on and on . I'm actually in a border services class as we speak and I just brought this topic up in class.

 

[Duke]

fish are good to go, just make sure you have a receipt showing they were purchased in the USA that includes the name of the fish, it might also be a good idea to go with the actual scientific name, and a photo to solidify your proof if you somehow do get hassled about it. you aren't going to have problems tho.

My wife works at the bridge in the customs office specifically with importing. Section 3 that they are referring to are a bunch of freshwater fish that could be consider invasive species if they got into our natural waters, or possibly endangered species.

http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/C.R.C.,_c._296/page-54.html#h-123

Pet Aquatic Animals

192. (1) Despite section 191, an aquatic animal listed in Schedule III may be imported without a permit for use as a pet if

(a) the aquatic animal is a member of one of the following species, namely, Barbonymus gonionotus, Carassius auratus, Colisa lalia, Danio rerio, Glossogobius giuris, Osphronemus goramy, Oxyeleotris marmorata, Poecilia reticulata, Puntius sophore, Symphysodon discus, Toxotes chatareus, Trichogaster pectoralis or Trichogaster trichopterus;


(b) the aquatic animal has not been taken to a show or display outside Canada;


(c) the aquatic animal is imported by its owner;


(d) the aquatic animal is accompanied or picked up by its owner at the point of entry into Canada; and


(e) the owner presents proof of the owner’s identity and his or her ownership of the aquatic animal to the inspector.



(2) An aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall be kept in an aquarium in the household of its owner, and the owner shall not, for the year following the importation, expose it to any aquatic animals other than those kept in the household.


(3) The owner of an aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall not, in the period of 90 days after the importation, import another aquatic animal under that subsection.


(4) The owner of an aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall keep the records of the importation, including the documents required under paragraph (1)(e).


SOR/2010-296, s. 4.

Aquatic Animals for Personal Use

193. (1) Despite section 191, an aquatic animal listed in Schedule III may be imported without a permit if

(a) the aquatic animal is imported by a person for his or her personal use;


(b) the person brings the aquatic animal into Canada or picks it up at the point of entry into Canada; and


(c) the person presents, to the inspector, proof of his or her identity and proof of the manner in which he or she acquired the aquatic animal.



(2) The quantity of aquatic animals that may be imported under subsection (1) shall not exceed

(a) four crustaceans;


(b) three kilograms of molluscs; and


(c) ten finfish that are not eviscerated.



SOR/2010-296, s. 4.

 

[harleymike]

Awesome. Thanks Duke.
Mike

 

[reeffreak]

Must prove it was never a show fish as well and that it is going into a home aquaruim

 

[Duke]

Must prove it was never a show fish as well and that it is going into a home aquaruim

I believe this only applies to commercial importing. we fit into the category at the bottom, for home and personal use.

 

[reeffreak]

[quote author=reeffreak link=topic=3652.msg31524#msg31524 date=1354033601]
Must prove it was never a show fish as well and that it is going into a home aquaruim

I believe this only applies to commercial importing. we fit into the category at the bottom, for home and personal use.
[/quote]

This is information I gained from a  gentlemen who work just with ornamental fish at the border, I've got his card and number at home. I will post it up when I get there he told me if I ever had an issue brining over fish to call him ASAP

 

[Duke]

nice, I haven't ever risked it myself, I find fish in Canada are decently priced anyways, Coral on the other hand I would LOVE to buy over there.. but im too chicken shit to sneak it back, and figure if you tell the truth your going to get hassled about it at the very least.

 

[reeffreak]

nice, I haven't ever risked it myself, I find fish in Canada are decently priced anyways, Coral on the other hand I would LOVE to buy over there.. but im too chicken shit to sneak it back, and figure if you tell the truth your going to get hassled about it at the very least.

Same here I was going to do clowns I know that would not be an issue but other livestock like coral and rock are very different . To much to risk. Corals are cheaper in Canada anyways but more selection over there