Going across US border?

[starfishguy869]

I have 2 corals that I want to bring with me to the US. Does anyone know if it’s legal to bring them? I have read other sources on this and I see mixed reviews on this. Could anyone please give me any insight or sources explaining this topic?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I have 2 corals that I want to bring with me to the US. Does anyone know if it’s legal to bring them? I have read other sources on this and I see mixed reviews on this. Could anyone please give me any insight or sources explaining this topic?

Stony corals are CITES appendix II. You need to have an export permit to move them from Canada to the US or vice versa. In the US, this is monitored by border patrol (CPB) and the USFWS. For shipments entering the US, you need a form 3-177 with a CITES stamp on it. In Canada, I think it is monitored by Environment Canada.

People saying you can do this and that they have done it are technically smuggling and just didn't get caught.

There is a coral dealer in the Detroit area that has/had a sign saying "All Canadian customers must pay cash in USD". The reason is that they didn't want a paper trail of having sold corals to Canadian citizens. Their parking lot always had a lot of Ontario plates on the cars (grin). USFWS was aware of this, and I think they followed some of these cars and made arrests (that was many years ago, and may just have been a rumor).

Here is a document:

https://www.helpspanish.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1028
Jay

 

[starfishguy869]

What would happen once I complete this form?

 

[starfishguy869]

On the website that you sent me, it says that it’s prohibited to import coral. It also seems that they are referring to the import of coral from suppliers because when I checked out the form, it listed that I needed a license which I don’t have. I’m also just driving across the border and not flying.

 

[starfishguy869]

Bump

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Most of this is going to be a repeat of @Jay Hemdal

Your best course of action would be to have a bill of sale (receipt) from the vendor you got them from - preferably that states the genus and species - with appropriate CITES documentation allowing for import into the US.

While you are not a business you are crossing a border and are therefore "importing" a product/animal into the country (whether flying or driving) and need to have appropriate documentation.

Be prepared for customs/USFWS to reject the import. If you don't report it is officially "smuggling".

 

[Solo McReefer]

"Oh, Billy"

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

On the website that you sent me, it says that it’s prohibited to import coral. It also seems that they are referring to the import of coral from suppliers because when I checked out the form, it listed that I needed a license which I don’t have. I’m also just driving across the border and not flying.

The method of crossing the border doesn’t matter; flying or driving is the same. I don’t think you need a license for non-commercial importation, but you still can’t bring in CITES species without a 3-177. I just wouldn’t risk it.

 

[Mschmidt]

Stony corals are CITES appendix II. You need to have an export permit to move them from Canada to the US or vice versa. In the US, this is monitored by border patrol (CPB) and the USFWS. For shipments entering the US, you need a form 3-177 with a CITES stamp on it. In Canada, I think it is monitored by Environment Canada.

People saying you can do this and that they have done it are technically smuggling and just didn't get caught.

There is a coral dealer in the Detroit area that has/had a sign saying "All Canadian customers must pay cash in USD". The reason is that they didn't want a paper trail of having sold corals to Canadian citizens. Their parking lot always had a lot of Ontario plates on the cars (grin). USFWS was aware of this, and I think they followed some of these cars and made arrests (that was many years ago, and may just have been a rumor).

Here is a document:

https://www.helpspanish.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1028
Jay

@Thuan this may be of interest to you too.

 

[starfishguy869]

Thank you for all the above information. Does the form need to be authorized? Sorry if I am being repetitive, I just want to be sure.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for all the above information. Does the form need to be authorized? Sorry if I am being repetitive, I just want to be sure.

Sorry, IDK how that form works for non commercial imports, I only do commercial imports.

 

[braaap]

Thank you for all the above information. Does the form need to be authorized? Sorry if I am being repetitive, I just want to be sure.

You can't bring coral or fish across the border without the proper permits. You can't get those permits in short order. Don't do it. Don't try. You will either be hit with a fine or jail time or both.

 

[starfishguy869]

You can't bring coral or fish across the border without the proper permits. You can't get those permits in short order. Don't do it. Don't try. You will either be hit with a fine or jail time or both.

Does this apply to none CITES species like anemones or soft corals?

 

[braaap]

Does this apply to none CITES species like anemones or soft corals?

You’ll have to do your research. You’ll also have to prove what they are beyond a doubt and educate the border officers. I don’t see you being able to do that. Best to not even try.

 

[GlassMunky]

What are these 2 corals that are so special you’d risk something like this? (The corals dying and you in jail or detained by border agents)

 

[starfishguy869]

I didn’t realize the consequences would be that large. Never mind, I’ll probably end up selling them.