Shipping plants to canada

[khanha3]

Hi, I was wondering if shipping a zip lock back of guppy grass to my cousin in Canada is illegal.

[dundadundun]

i believe it is without proper permits... might want to wait for someone who knows better though.

[Lycanthropic]

Yep. It is! The permit costs around $150 to ship aquatic plants to canada. and they will just get thrown away at the border and you will get a slap on the wrist maybe.
sorry dude.

[bluekrissyspike]

it depends on what you are importing. i have imported plants and had no issues. they were guppy grass, java moss, java fern and moss ball and they came with some live shrimp. no issues at the border or anything. guppy grass is commonly available in canada so i don't really see why it would be an issue. there are many, many restrictions on different types of plants but not others. just be sure to label it properly and write 'aquarium plant' on it. also, house plants are totally legal to import as long as they aren't bonsai so you could also ship it under the label house plant, since it is 'a common plant that will be grown indoors' and that is how they define houseplant.

[Canuck]

it depends on what you are importing. i have imported plants and had no issues. they were guppy grass, java moss, java fern and moss ball and they came with some live shrimp. no issues at the border or anything. guppy grass is commonly available in canada so i don't really see why it would be an issue. there are many, many restrictions on different types of plants but not others. just be sure to label it properly and write 'aquarium plant' on it. also, house plants are totally legal to import as long as they aren't bonsai so you could also ship it under the label house plant, since it is 'a common plant that will be grown indoors' and that is how they define houseplant.

Are you sure about this? I believe its illegal even to bring fruits and vegetables into the country.

[coach_z]

call your department of agriculture (or equivalent) and/or your border agencies for a proper answer.

[geekboy]

I believe at the very least, it would be a dice roll. If you believe the blurb on aquariumplants.com (on their shipping info page (http://www.aquariumplants.com/Articles.asp?ID=109)), then it definitely involves cost and paperwork to import the plants legitimately. However. you might get lucky with an inconspicuous package declared as "aquarium supplies" or something properly non-incriminating. Just don't be surprised if it gets destroyed, possibly fined.

[Wycco]

Tell them the Guppies are terminally ill and the guppy grass is only being used by the guppies for medicinal purposes... I think that is legal in Canada! ;)

[geekboy]

Tell them the Guppies are terminally ill and the guppy grass is only being used by the guppies for medicinal purposes... I think that is legal in Canada! ;)
Naw, they still make you do paperwork for it. :grinyes:

[bluekrissyspike]

If you are importing houseplants from the continental United States as part of your baggage or household effects, you do not need phytosanitary certificates or import permits.
http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/rc4151-eng.html#P019

i don't have all day to research sources but improting from a comercial seller is different. it's your call. the worst thing that could happen is they smoosh it at the border.

[khanha3]

haha, alright thanks for the replies. I think it'll be much easier to have my cousin buy his own guppy grass in Canada.

[bluekrissyspike]

i could probably send some for the cost of postage. i have tons of it.