Bringing Fish Over the Border FROM the US

[Puff]

Im wondering if anyone here has any experience doing this? i really want a tailspot blenny and they are really hard to find around here. i can get one in the US and have it shipped to an address in washington state.

what would i need for proof and permits?

is it even doable?

[saltaddict]

Smuggle him across the border in a travel mug!

[Der_Iron_Chef]

Chin recently wrote this is a recent thread of his:

"bringing fish back was no problem at all. NO SPECIAL PERMITS is required for tropical fish and animals that is not listed on CITES. The importation of tropical fish and animals is regulated by Department of Fisheries and Oceans. http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/aqu...namental_e.htm"

[fencer]

The exporter(seller) of the livestock must provide the proper documentation not the buyer if CITES is required. You can check to see if your fish is on the CITES list though.

[Canuckgod420]

My wife brought back some dragon face pipefish and she had no problem at all. As long as your not reselling them for a profit....all is OK

[Puff]

NICE!

tailspot blenny here i come!

[dsaundry]

Originally Posted by Puff

Im wondering if anyone here has any experience doing this? i really want a tailspot blenny and they are really hard to find around here. i can get one in the US and have it shipped to an address in washington state.

what would i need for proof and permits?

is it even doable?

No problem at all. Unless it is on a CITES list. I checked with CITIES and dept of fisheries and so long as you are not importing them for business you are fine. Just pay the tax if they require. If its under $100 they will probably just wave you through. I agree with untamed if you are bringing rock. Dont say "live" unless you like explaining over and over again what it is for. Good luck

[spoot]

I emailed Dept. of Fisheries and Oceans a couple weeks back and they said the same thing. No import restrictions on ornamental fish unless the species is listed on CITES.

Maybe bring some reference material just in case they challenge you on what species of fish you have.

[Canadian]

What stores are you guys going to on the other side of the border? And do they tend to have stock that we don't have here?

[dsaundry]

I havent been using any one store in particular. I usually have gone online at some shops like Aquarium Pros. Just Google search saltwater fish for sale and a bunch will pop up. Thats how I have found some. Ebay also has some but some charge way too much for shipping. I just got some lovely peppermint shrimp. 8-$15.00 but it was $25 bucks for shipping. all arrived ok and are doing well. I was very concerned when we had the drop in temperature but there was a heat pack in and they were well insulated.However I probably wont order anything else until temperature warms up. I also have 50lbs of live rock that I am expecting in the next day or so. It was on Ebay for $74.95 and shipping was only $19.00. Great price and I hope its great rock. They[reefcomplete] are new to Ebay and have good feedback. I live close to the border so I run over to Sumas to a place called Ship Happens. It is great as a lot of sellers in the U.S.A. only ship to the states. I have bought a lot of items for my aquarium set up online as I cant seem to find a place up here that wont bankrupt me. I usually only have Sundays off so it is difficult to know which fish stores are open in the Seattle or Bellinham area. Maybe some other members can share some secrets with both of us on that one. I will say that in a lot of the cases I have found that a trip to Burnaby or New Westminster to either J+L or King Ed pets has usually been just fine for a lot of stock items. They actually say "NO" don't buy that it wont work in your tank. I have heard there is another place in Delta but I cant remember the name. If you are just buying regular fish I dont think that if you factor in shipping you will find too many things cheaper in the states. But every now and then if you are patient, well you know. Good hunting...Darryl