Bringing live stock back from overseas?

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Crazyfish88

Feeder Fish
MFK Member
Nov 6, 2009
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BC, Canada
Has anyone bought fish from Asia or
anywhere else overseas and brought it back through customs? Say non endangered species as I know this wouldn't work for certain species. There's a few rare fish I'm interested in and it's much easier to find them in Asia. Also I go to asia twice a year to visit my fiance and family. If anyone has done this please share your experience. Thanks.


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Many countries have pet relocation requirements that would get you around the export/import permits you'd otherwise be required to have. You need to check the requirements for the country of origin and if those requirements are approved by CA customs. Usually, this requires a veterinary examination (with paperwork). The stickler issues come from each country's minimum time frame that the animal is retained so as to be considered a pet before the relocation. And, you'll have issues if the minimum time the animal is supposed to be in your possession is greater than the timeframe shown stamped in your passport.
BTW, forget the import/export permits. These are only issued to businesses with a direct relation to the items being transported. And, depending on the customs official checking your shipment, he/she may require your animals to enter quarantine for anywhere from 10-30 days. Fish don't usually survive a customs quarantine facility. And, you're responsible for the costs of quarantine maintenance whether or not the fish survives.
 
Oddball said:
Many countries have pet relocation requirements that would get you around the export/import permits you'd otherwise be required to have. You need to check the requirements for the country of origin and if those requirements are approved by CA customs. Usually, this requires a veterinary examination (with paperwork). The stickler issues come from each country's minimum time frame that the animal is retained so as to be considered a pet before the relocation. And, you'll have issues if the minimum time the animal is supposed to be in your possession is greater than the timeframe shown stamped in your passport.
BTW, forget the import/export permits. These are only issued to businesses with a direct relation to the items being transported. And, depending on the customs official checking your shipment, he/she may require your animals to enter quarantine for anywhere from 10-30 days. Fish don't usually survive a customs quarantine facility. And, you're responsible for the costs of quarantine maintenance whether or not the fish survives.
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Thx oddball for the info. So they won't let u quarantine the fish yourself? I was thinking of buying the fish, get it packed properly the same day I fly back to Canada so more chances of the fish surviving the trip. I guess I'll contact Canadian customs office and ask if its possible to import/export. I was hoping someone has done it here so I can get an idea how much of a hassle it is to do.


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A pet is considered quarantined after being in your possession for a certain amount of time (each country varies). You'd have to check with CA customs to verify if a store-bought fish is also considered as having undergone quarantine. Be sure to retain the store receipt with all transported animals being clearly defined on it. The more info you reveal to CA customs, the less they'll have to rely on personal judgement which can range from mild hassle to confiscation of the animals.
 
Oddball said:
A pet is considered quarantined after being in your possession for a certain amount of time (each country varies). You'd have to check with CA customs to verify if a store-bought fish is also considered as having undergone quarantine. Be sure to retain the store receipt with all transported animals being clearly defined on it. The more info you reveal to CA customs, the less they'll have to rely on personal judgement which can range from mild hassle to confiscation of the animals.
Click to expand...

Thx again oddball. Good info u obtain.


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Years ago, I brought back fish I bought in Hong Kong food markets. The laws weren't so stringent back then as they are now but, we were still required to have the proper paperwork. With all the correct paperwork filled out and ordered properly, the agent checking my shipment didn't even open the boxes. He simply waved me on through with my 6 chambered nautilii and 4 erythristic channa (this was more than a decade before the ban).
 
Oddball said:
Years ago, I brought back fish I bought in Hong Kong food markets. The laws weren't so stringent back then as they are now but, we were still required to have the proper paperwork. With all the correct paperwork filled out and ordered properly, the agent checking my shipment didn't even open the boxes. He simply waved me on through with my 6 chambered nautilii and 4 erythristic channa (this was more than a decade before the ban).
Click to expand...

Ya I was planning to buy a couple rare species from HK's fish street market as they have some of them there. Sigh the new laws suck...so many species being banned lately...


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Hey Crazyfish, As a heads up, most fish stores here dont offer receipts for purchased fish as far as i know, so i guess knowing the scientific names before hand to let them know what to fill in might help if they do have receipts to offer...

Other than that, good luck and hopefully you can bring some fish home with you :)


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