CITES info

[Gary Majchrzak]

simply a FYI.

How CITES works:
http://www.catsg.org/catsgportal/cites/01_how-it-works/How CITES works.pdf

more info for those interested:
http://www.cites.org/

To put it in layman's terms, corals require import CITES permits to enter either the USA or Canada (or any country for that matter).
If a hobbyist were to purchase a coral in a LFS in either country and legally attempt to bring it across the border it would require a copy of the original CITES import permit, and (perhaps, if taking it from the USA into Canada) a United States Fish & Wildlife Service permit. If shipping to another country you will need an export/re-export certificate from the management authority of the place from which the coral is shipped out ... and you will need to be aware of the restrictions of the place into which you're trying to ship.

Even if all the proper documents are secured it's STILL a gamble as livestock is time sensitive and unforseen stumbling blocks can occur when crossing the border.

 

[shroutk3]

I think that I've seen that soft corals don't necessarily apply here. From what I have been told, and from conversations with Canadians in other forums, soft corals are ok, but cannot be shipped attached to live rock. So Zoos and Rics can be moved if there is no live rock, as rock is monitored under the CITES stuff.

Again, this is what I've been told, I haven't actually found it in the CITES (but I haven't looked as it hasn't been an issue for me).

 

[superkat]

just from what i've been reading here? I don't think i would ever do it...crossing the border nowadays makes me nervous without trying to get something across that may not be legal.

 

[kase]

Most corals will need cites to get into the US from another country. Including if it dead skelton on the coral that is alive.