Shipping to Canada

[RogueDiscus]

Someone from Vancouver, B.C. Canada expressed interest in my fry. I'm in SO. Oregon. USPS looks like they'll ship there. I'm sure there's more to it than that. What should I be looking for? Thanks for the advice.
Steve

[mmorris]

Make sure USPS can deliver within 24 hours. The postage price calculator will tell you, if you haven't checked it already. http://postcalc.usps.gov/
Pack the fish in oxygen.

[Moon]

Canada has new regulations regarding importation of ornamental fish. Ask your buyer to look into this. This comes under Canada Food Regulation Agency.

[vicdiscus]

Canada has new regulations regarding importation of ornamental fish. Ask your buyer to look into this. This comes under Canada Food Regulation Agency.

You are right...

I have some of nice discus in stock. 2 1/2" - 6" about 8 different kind of strain discus for sale.

I able shipping to Ontario is no problems.

[Discus-Hans]

Make sure USPS can deliver within 24 hours. The postage price calculator will tell you, if you haven't checked it already. http://postcalc.usps.gov/
Pack the fish in oxygen.

I would pack the Discus in water with the bag filled up with oxygen, but everybody has his or her own system lol

Canada customs can hold your shipment so you loose connections, that's why I don't ship to Canada,

Hans

[mmorris]

I would pack the Discus in water with the bag filled up with oxygen, but everybody has his or her own system lol

Hans

Jeez Hans, nobody uses water anymore. This is the 21st century!

[discuspaul]

Always nice to read posts from people who have a sense of humour !

[Wonky]

The new exotic species act doesnt apply to ornamental fish. Here in BC we have the strictest laws but I have yet to have a problem with buying fish from the US. Make sure that you get the courier to broker the shipment.
I always tell the seller that I do not expect an arrive alive warranty

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/science/enviro/aah-saa/ornamental-aquarium-eng.htm is a start

[Discus-Hans]

Always nice to read posts from people who have a sense of humour !

Ohhh Paul I can't talk for myself but Martha is hilarious and always very helpful too new comers, now this doesn't come from the "horses" mouth but to me good as:

Hi Eric, I am new to the forums and Martha (from Monson, MA) said that you are the ONLY person to buy young pairs from, so here I am. Can you ship to Massachusetts? The drive to NC might be a little long at the moment, not that I wouldn't love a road trip someday. I would be interested in a pair. Thanks, Chris

Now Eric is selling some nice pairs but I don't think he's the only one, Kenny and Mike sell sometimes nice pairs too and I for sure can think about at least one other one lol lol lol

Now that is what I call humor,

Hans

[Len]

I would pack the Discus in water with the bag filled up with oxygen, but everybody has his or her own system lol

Canada customs can hold your shipment so you loose connections, that's why I don't ship to Canada,

Hans

I've looked into this quite extensively and spoken to the customs people several times to make sure I was getting the right information. It's pretty easy to ship to Canada, but unless you are at the point of entry into the country at an international airport it won't work out well. If you can be at the airport they enter the country at, bring your invoice and pay the duty (sales tax you would pay if buying from anywhere within Canada) and away you go. The other stipulation, even with the new regulations is that the fish are not for resale and will remain in your tank for twelve months following the importation and not exposed to any other aquatic animal for that period except those in the household. You can get more details here:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/imports/aquatic-animals/eng/1331906471842/1331908089467

[vicdiscus]

I've looked into this quite extensively and spoken to the customs people several times to make sure I was getting the right information. It's pretty easy to ship to Canada, but unless you are at the point of entry into the country at an international airport it won't work out well. If you can be at the airport they enter the country at, bring your invoice and pay the duty (sales tax you would pay if buying from anywhere within Canada) and away you go. The other stipulation, even with the new regulations is that the fish are not for resale and will remain in your tank for twelve months following the importation and not exposed to any other aquatic animal for that period except those in the household. You can get more details here:

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/imports/aquatic-animals/eng/1331906471842/1331908089467

I agreed with you .. I think it changed by law on Feb 4 but they announced on first or second week of Dec 2012. That how I found out. I think it should be ok to getting fish from the states but you need to double check before you are getting the fish.

Good Luck
Duncan

[discuspaul]

Ohhh Paul I can't talk for myself but Martha is hilarious and always very helpful too new comers, now this doesn't come from the "horses" mouth but to me good as:

Hi Eric, I am new to the forums and Martha (from Monson, MA) said that you are the ONLY person to buy young pairs from, so here I am. Can you ship to Massachusetts? The drive to NC might be a little long at the moment, not that I wouldn't love a road trip someday. I would be interested in a pair. Thanks, Chris

Now Eric is selling some nice pairs but I don't think he's the only one, Kenny and Mike sell sometimes nice pairs too and I for sure can think about at least one other one lol lol lol

Now that is what I call humor,

Hans

Yes, Hans - that is some more humour from you - and real good too !

But you know, as some Roman sage once said, and with which I agree: You are....."First Among Equals" (i.e. among high quality discus suppliers) !

[rerdragon1977]

I work for the CBSA and will ask tomorrow to see if I can get the official word on importation. I know there is a difference between commercial importations for resale and such but I am fairly confident that if these fish or for private collection they are a little more relaxed. That being said let me do my research so that I can give you a correct answer and reference the actual regulations in case you are challenged during the process. The reality of the situation is that the officer you are dealing with may not have any knowledge of the specific importation requirements of a commodity. We can't be experts on everything and things change regularly. Ill post tomorrow with my results and post links to the regulations.
Cheers!

[vicdiscus]

I work for the CBSA and will ask tomorrow to see if I can get the official word on importation. I know there is a difference between commercial importations for resale and such but I am fairly confident that if these fish or for private collection they are a little more relaxed. That being said let me do my research so that I can give you a correct answer and reference the actual regulations in case you are challenged during the process. The reality of the situation is that the officer you are dealing with may not have any knowledge of the specific importation requirements of a commodity. We can't be experts on everything and things change regularly. Ill post tomorrow with my results and post links to the regulations.
Cheers!
Also
I had spoken to CFIA. You don't need a permit license when you will get fish less than 13 pieces of fish. If you get more than 14 pieces of fish you need to get a permit license.

But....You have to informed to CFIA or your location custom about you are getting fish, Latin species name of fish and how many fish. They will help you.

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/imports/aquatic-animals/eng/1331906471842/1331908089467

Duncan

[rerdragon1977]

Thanks Duncan for the assist! Due to "family day," alot of people here have used vacation in our department and are not available. I have been assured that i will get a formal answer for tomorrow. I have been in contact with Ocenas and Fisheries, Health Canada, CBSA and CFIA to determine who is the lead reposonible agency. It s unfortunate that it is so difficult to come by a complete answer but i will have everything shortly.

[rerdragon1977]

As promised here is the info i have found. A good contact for anyone who interested in importation is ED Creighton and his contact information is at the bottom. He has offered to answer any question you may have to make the process as smooth as possible.
It is good to get these proactive questions, better to get an answer now than have some expensive fish held up at the border because of issues.

There are 13 species of ornamental fish that CFIA has declared as being pet fish:
Health of Animals Regulations:

192. (1) Despite section 191, an aquatic animal listed in Schedule III may be imported without a permit for use as a pet if
(a) the aquatic animal is a member of one of the following species, namely, Barbonymus gonionotus, Carassius auratus, Colisa lalia, Danio rerio, Glossogobius giuris, Osphronemus goramy, Oxyeleotris marmorata, Poecilia reticulata, Puntius sophore, Symphysodon discus, Toxotes chatareus, Trichogaster pectoralis or Trichogaster trichopterus;
(b) the aquatic animal has not been taken to a show or display outside Canada;
(c) the aquatic animal is imported by its owner;
(d) the aquatic animal is accompanied or picked up by its owner at the point of entry into Canada; and
(e) the owner presents proof of the owners identity and his or her ownership of the aquatic animal to the inspector.

(2) An aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall be kept in an aquarium in the household of its owner, and the owner shall not, for the year following the importation, expose it to any aquatic animals other than those kept in the household.

(3) The owner of an aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall not, in the period of 90 days after the importation, import another aquatic animal under that subsection.

(4) The owner of an aquatic animal imported under subsection (1) shall keep the records of the importation, including the documents required under paragraph (1)(e).

You will note that there are no limits set as to the allowable number of animals, however, this is not meant to be a loophole for a commercial operator
to bring in fish without a permit, as they have to sign a declaration, stating the fish will not be sold for at least one year after importation and that the importer will not import other pet aquatic animals for at least 90 days. http://www.inspection.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-animals-animaux/STAGING/text-texte/c5685_1337093551531_eng.pdf

If in doubt, you and your aquatic enthusiasts would be best to apply for an import permit , a single use permit is valid for 90 days ($35.00), while a
multiple use permit is good for as many imports as you want, from one country, for 365 days ($60.00). The application for an import permit is on our web-site, http://www.inspection.gc.ca/DAM/DAM-animals-animaux/STAGING/text-texte/c5670_1331653077668_eng.pdf.
The application should be completed and either faxed, or scanned and e-mailed to my contact info below.
At this point in time, CFIA does not have a health certificate negotiated with either Viet Nam nor Germany.

Although there are literally thousands of aquatic species, CFIA is only concerned about the species that, according to current scientific
knowledge, are capable of carrying one of the serious aquatic diseases. As such, there are only 235 species of finfish, 116 species of crustaceans
and 54 species of molluscs that are on our "susceptible" species list:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/aquatic-animals/diseases/susceptible-species/eng/1327162574928/1327162766981
If the imported fish is not on this list, then CFIA does not require it to have an import permit, only the following information:
194. No person shall import an aquatic animal that is not listed in Schedule III unless it is accompanied by a document that is satisfactory to an inspector and that includes the following information:
(a) the name and address of the exporter;
(b) the name and address of the importer;
(c) the taxonomic name of the aquatic animal, the life stage, and the number being imported, if more than one; and
(d) the country in which the aquatic animal was born or where the germplasm came from and, in the case of an aquatic animal, whether it was born in captivity or in the wild.

When importing pet aquatic animals, the owner is required to complete and provide the Importer's Declaration of Ownership for Pet Aquatic Animals Form (5685) at the point of entry.
All import requirements by the CFIA can be found on their Automated Import Reference System (AIRS): http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals/terrestrial-animals/imports/airs/eng/1300127512994/1326599273148#
If one types in Symphysodon discus in the ‘Find Commodity’ field, the following requirements appear: Shipment must be accompanied by a Zoosanitary Export Certificate (from the exporting country) and a CFIA issued Aquatic Animal Health Import Permit. A CFIA stamped form 5272, Request for Documentation Review, attached to a paper entry will signal to the BSO that these two requirements have been met for the shipment. If the transaction is EDI, then the CFIA National Import Service Centre is responsible for reviewing the import data submitted to the CFIA in ACROSS, and ensuring that these import conditions have been met.
Importers (commercial) should be aware that to facilitate import, they should declare the taxonomic (scientific) names of all aquatic species on the commercial invoice or canada customs invoice on paper transactions. If they are using EDI, then it is advisable to submit this information on both the electronic invoice and the AIRS code in ACROSS. Note that commercial importers must obtain an import permit in advance of the shipment arriving in Canada.

So if anyone is still reading here is the contact should anyone be looking for addition questions/advice

Edward H. Creighton D.V.M.
><((((º> ’•.¸¸.•´¯’•.¸.•><((((º>¸.
Area Program Specialist, Aquatic Animal Health (AAH) Program
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
174 Stone Road West
Guelph, Ontario
N1G 4S9
Tel #: 226-217-8306
Fax #: 226-217-8507
ed.creighton@inspection.gc.ca

[Poco]

Thanks for sharing this. Great to have a contact for any questions.

[-gb-]

Thanks, very helpful information :)

[vicdiscus]

Thanks Duncan for the assist! Due to "family day," alot of people here have used vacation in our department and are not available. I have been assured that i will get a formal answer for tomorrow. I have been in contact with Ocenas and Fisheries, Health Canada, CBSA and CFIA to determine who is the lead reposonible agency. It s unfortunate that it is so difficult to come by a complete answer but i will have everything shortly.

You are welcome. You can find out about that you can share with me and other Canadian who are discus hobby .

[vicdiscus]

In addition, Info, If you are importer for less than 13 pieces of discus are ok to bring in Canada but you have to inform to CFIA first.

HTH.

Duncan