Importing Coral Discussion (CITES)

[davej]

LPS requires cites permit.
Any stony coral does.



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[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by davej

LPS requires cites permit.
Any stony coral does.

DaveJ is correct. There are all sorts of ways around the system, applying for CITES permits with old documentation of the original importation into the USA, mislabelling corals on CITES re-export permits hoping border crossings won't know better, etc. But for many corals commonly traded or that have been in the hobby for sometime it's extremely unlikely someone has the original paperwork that that specific corals was imported under. For a brand new coral from Australia or something like that, sure I can believe that they may have that paperwork!

Anything coral that grows a calcareous skeleton requires a CITES re-export permit to legal bring across the border. Anything else is just shady.

[EdsonFOWLR]

Are Zoas and Rock Flowers listed anywere under cities?

[shiftline]

nope

[Frogger]

The problem you are going to run into at the border it is highly unlikely that the Border Guard is going to know anything about corals.

If he sees you are bringing corals back with you regardless of the type red flags may go up even if they are non restricted types.

If you don't have proper documentation showing that these corals are not stony corals there is no way he is going to know. He might confiscate them anyway.

[Pop Alexandra]

Originally Posted by Frogger

The problem you are going to run into at the border it is highly unlikely that the Border Guard is going to know anything about corals.

If he sees you are bringing corals back with you regardless of the type red flags may go up even if they are non restricted types.

If you don't have proper documentation showing that these corals are not stony corals there is no way he is going to know. He might confiscate them anyway.

Exactly! Proper paper work is the only way to ensure you don't encounter any issues at customs.
_____________________________________
Alexandra from W2C

[Scythanith]

Originally Posted by Pop Alexandra

Exactly! Proper paper work is the only way to ensure you don't encounter any issues at customs.
_____________________________________
Alexandra from W2C

What does paperwork matter if the CBSA agent can't identify if that coral on the CITES re-export paperwork (with original CITES import paperwork stating a Acropora sp. was imported from Bali legally into the United States)?

It's been my gripe with the system from the start. Easily manipulated.

But for non-CITES corals, best you can do is bring a copy of the CITES permit with proper Appendices and then photo examples of the coral you're trying to bring in to Canada. Demonstrate they are not CITES restricted and cross your fingers. Honestly, most CBSA agents don't fret over it too much as long as you're sure of yourself.

[Alm]

Has anyone crossed the border with only soft coral in recent years (pre or post lock down)? Successfully or unsuccessfully?

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