Cites & LR
 

I have a friend coming to visit from the US and I want him to bring me som LR.... now I checked Cites to see if any permits were required and below is what i found... Are you guys reading this the same way I am? (ie. no permit required?.. just appropriate labeling?).


"Are there any restrictions or permit requirements to import coral or live rock for my personal aquarium?"

Many corals (Helioporidae, Tubiporidae, Antipatharia, Scleratinia, Milleporidae, Stylasteridae) are listed in Appendix II of CITES. This listing means that you will need to obtain a CITES export permit issued by the country of export. The company from which you are buying it (or yourself if the company refuses) would have to apply for the CITES permit and the original documents must accompany the shipment through Customs. Your supplier/exporter should contact his national CITES Management Authority for further information. A list can be found at www.cites.org on the "National contacts" section. When for your personal aquarium, coral is regulated by CITES when traded as 1) live coral transported in water, and, 2) dead coral traded in the form of coral pieces in which the structure of the polyps is still visible and intact.

"Live rock" is defined as pieces of coral rock (i.e. rock that does not contain coral or in which the coral is fossilized) to which are attached many forms of microscopic or macroscopic marine life (algae, sponges, molluscs, etc.) that live on and inside the substrate rock. In general, "live rock" is not regulated by CITES, unless organisms from CITES-listed species are attached to the substrate.

The labelling of the product is therefore very important and must identify the substrate composition and all the attached organisms on that substrate. The substrate would be controlled by CITES only where it consists of live coral (for example from the genus Scleractinia). You will also need a CITES permit if the substrate is mineral rock with CITES-listed organisms on it. However, "live rock" would not require CITES permits if the substrate and all the organisms on it are not CITES-listed. Identification of species on the accompanying documentation must be by their scientific latin names.

To sum it up...get a permit.

Why? He only wants to import live rock, which does not require a permit, as long as it is clearly labelled and there are no corals attached to it.

It appears you do not need a permit, although to let you know that the current average wait on CITES papers if you do want to bring certain controlled corals through can be as long as a year.

Chris

reply
 

How much is LR where he's coming from?

Not sure yet, but he's coming from Houston (pretty much on the coast of the gulf.) So I'm going to imagine it's going to be cheaper than here. I think passengers are able to carry a max of 70lbs per person... so If I can get it for even 50% of what it's going for here in winnipeg, then that rocks! (pardon the pun)

So what do you think? If I label it ("Live Rock" No attached coral ) (or something to that effect... think it'll pass?

I'm going to call on monday to confirm... but based on that insert... things should be ok. Any comments from anyone?

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention... I hope the way i'm interpreting the cites regulation is accurate because my parents are headed to the Philippines in january... and get this.... LR is 25 cents per pound!!! (I had a relative go check out the local shops)

Like i said, your allowed 70lbs as luggage (boxes). And if I don't need a permit then I'm laughing!! Plus I'd get you boys some. Holy crap boys that cheap ass rock!!

I'll take three hundred #.... and heres your $75.00... I wish!

I hope you know that Cites permits are a couple hundred bucks and I think these things have to go through a major port of call (ie. Vancouver or Toronto) to get properly inspected.

Cheers,
Vic [veng68]

i lived in houston for years and i still have 150 pounds of rock and corals there. trust me it isnt going to be any cheaper buying rock there as it will be here if you shop around.

In winnipeg... it ends up being about 8-10 bucks per pound....
it's like 5 bucks or so in BC... i think i'd still come out on top