LFS worth a visit across the border?

[Samw]

It's always a gamble how much the border guard knows about corals. I only bring softies (and shrimps and crabs and stuff like that) back since almost all stonies are on Cites (Almost all SPS and LPS are on Cites and don't forgot the clams and live rock are also on Cites along with other stuff). I always get a receipt with the scientific names of the corals or inverts from the store and bring a copy of Cites with me, along with a copy of the laws regarding importing ornamental marine life into Canada, and a book containing pictures of the livestock that I'm importing. Then I declare at the border that I'm bringing back soft corals, shrimp, crab, etc. No issues yet. Most fish are no problem. Just check the list.

[rishu_pepper]

Originally Posted by Samw

It's always a gamble how much the border guard knows about corals. I only bring softies (and shrimps and crabs and stuff like that) back since almost all stonies are on Cites (Almost all SPS and LPS are on Cites and don't forgot the clams and live rock are also on Cites along with other stuff). I always get a receipt with the scientific names of the corals or inverts from the store and bring a copy of Cites with me, along with a copy of the laws regarding importing ornamental marine life into Canada, and a book containing pictures of the livestock that I'm importing. Then I declare at the border that I'm bringing back soft corals, shrimp, crab, etc. No issues yet. Most fish are no problem. Just check the list.

Is there an online list I can check for which fish? Wouldn't mind picking up some softies too.

[Timbits]

Originally Posted by Samw

It's always a gamble how much the border guard knows about corals. I only bring softies (and shrimps and crabs and stuff like that) back since almost all stonies are on Cites (Almost all SPS and LPS are on Cites and don't forgot the clams and live rock are also on Cites along with other stuff). I always get a receipt with the scientific names of the corals or inverts from the store and bring a copy of Cites with me, along with a copy of the laws regarding importing ornamental marine life into Canada, and a book containing pictures of the livestock that I'm importing. Then I declare at the border that I'm bringing back soft corals, shrimp, crab, etc. No issues yet. Most fish are no problem. Just check the list.

Hi Sam, is tank bred clownfish ok to bring across the border? Thanks! Do you have a link to the list? Thanks!

[Samw]

Tim and Rishu, you can start by looking here:

http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

You can see all of the Scleractinia stony corals (ie. SPS, LPS) are listed, Tubiporidae, Helioporidae, Tubiporidae, Tridacna clams, Queen conch, Hippocampus, and Cheilinus undulates, and more are listed on Cites.

Here's the list by species.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...83829542,d.cGU

[Timbits]

Originally Posted by Samw

Tim and Rishu, you can start by looking here:

http://www.cites.org/eng/app/appendices.php

You can see all of the Scleractinia stony corals (ie. SPS, LPS) are listed, Tubiporidae, Helioporidae, Tubiporidae, Tridacna clams, Queen conch, Hippocampus, and Cheilinus undulates, and more are listed on Cites.

Here's the list by species.

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...83829542,d.cGU

Hi Sam

I don't see clownfish on the list, does that mean i can bring it across the border? Thanks

[Samw]

Originally Posted by Timbits

Hi Sam

I don't see clownfish on the list, does that mean i can bring it across the border? Thanks

I would say yes it is fine. But with anything related to the law, always confirm with the authorities. I won't be held responsible for misleading anyone. Kind of the reason I've kept out of these discussions in the past.

[rishu_pepper]

Thank you for the help, Samw!

You have a CITES eh? Is it worth the trouble to apply for one for us average reefers?

[Samw]

Originally Posted by rishu_pepper

Thank you for the help, Samw!

You have a CITES eh? Is it worth the trouble to apply for one for us average reefers?

A permit? No, I bring stuff over the border very rarely only when there's something that I really want but can't find them locally and never stuff that's on CITES. I've brought back ORA Red Sea Xenia a few years ago from Barrier when no one locally on Canreef had them for sale after many years of looking. Also, 13 years ago, I had someone from Canreef (Ryland) help bring me back a Rose bubble tip anemone from Oregon (the first known Rose anemone locally on Canreef at the time). I've mail ordered a few more things to Pt Roberts in between (zoas, ricordeas, and inverts).

[Samw]

Also, the regulation for importing aquatic pets has been updated. Doesn't really affect reef keepers. You are supposed to declare that you are bringing in aquatic pets. So far, I've just declared it verbally without needing to fill out any forms. Of course, they could ask for receipts, and species name, and proof if they wanted to, so always have them ready.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/.../1331908089467