U.S. exporter to Canada

[Merkavich]

Hi, I'm in Canada, but I have my eye on some breeders across the border. However, none of them ship internationally, but will send via trans shipper. I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a US exporter?

 

[5 Star Serpents]

Reptile Express does imports, it is pricey but your only other options are to get all of the paperwork yourself and have a breeder who is willing to get all the appropriate paperwork as well or get your own US export permit AND Canadian import permits if you are close enough to the border to pick them up on the US side and make all proper appointments with F&W and customs etc and drive them across yourself.

The other option is to find a private source to do your importing that already has everything in place. We use a private importer, I have the breeders I purchase from ship the animals to a broker with all of his export permits and then my guy here has all of his paperwork in order, I just pick them up after my importer picks up the import from the airport.

Cost wise Reptile Express is (from what I understand as I've never gone that route) about $400 per import plus tax on the value. Going through a private source I've paid between $3.50-$10 per animal plus tax on the value, just depending on how many animals were in the shipment. So if you can source out an importer then you can see it is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper to go that route. The best thing about it IMO is that I personally know each and every person that ever touches those animals outside of the box.

 

[Nanci]

It's also legal to stop at Customs, tell them you are going across to pick up a pet reptile, pick up the snake from a nearby US FedEx, and then stop back at Customs and check it through. The snake needs to have documentation that it was produced in captivity in the US, and declaration of value. I _know_ this is legal and allowable because I have personally spoken to Canadian Customs officials, and done it. If you do a search, there are one or two threads with phone numbers and links to the rules, etc.

 

[Merkavich]

Thanks both of you. I only live about 2 hours from the border, so picking it up myself across the border, or finding a private source are definitely the best options...(or at least the cheapest). I checked Reptile express, and they are ridiculously expensive.

 

[5 Star Serpents]

Yes picking it up is possible, I may have misunderstood and assumed that you were looking at getting a number of snakes. I have heard nightmares about people attempting to bring back more than one, especially different sexes because at that point you can no longer say that they are "just" pets. There's actually a thread on Reptiles Canada about this right now. There are a few guys posted on there that have been in the business since before you and I were born who say doing it yourself is not worth the hassle and potential headache.
I personally know people who picked up a few, different sexes and the snakes were seized at the border, not saying that will always be the case but IMO it's certainly not worth the chance of it.

 

[Merkavich]

Ah, yeah I'm only thinking about purchasing one or two. Though I would hate to get to the border and have them taken away, I absolutely despise crossing the border (even without snakes, some of those guards are...not friendly). I would much rather find an importer.

 

[5 Star Serpents]

Is it that you are looking at morphs that are hard to find up here that you are looking in the States? I only ask because if that's the case I would happily help you source out what it is you are looking for, I do have friends out your way who may be able to help you find what you are looking for locally even Feel free to let me know, I'd be happy to help!

 

[Alicia P]

Do you have kids or a friend with kids? Perhaps picking up more than one stateside would be more viable if every child was getting one as a pet??

 

[Merkavich]

Is it that you are looking at morphs that are hard to find up here that you are looking in the States? I only ask because if that's the case I would happily help you source out what it is you are looking for, I do have friends out your way who may be able to help you find what you are looking for locally even Feel free to let me know, I'd be happy to help!

I would greatly appreciate that! In the future I would like to breed as a hobby ..Just one clutch a year for the next couple years. I'm still doing endless research into it to be as prepared as one can possibly be lol. And yes it is because up here, certain morphs are much more elusive. For instance,Tessera, sunrise, lavender..all of which I love..but I've yet to see quite a few morphs in the flesh around here. I have a bit more researching to do before I know for sure what my goals/project will be for morphs...but I would definitely appreciate it if you woudln't mind me contacting you when I am sure

 

[Merkavich]

Oh, and Alicia..all my kids are fuzzy and have 4 legs..or no legs

 

[5 Star Serpents]

Do you have kids or a friend with kids? Perhaps picking up more than one stateside would be more viable if every child was getting one as a pet??

Anything more than one they will look closer at regardless of your story and they don't accept ignorance as an excuse to allow more than one is. Especially if there is male and female. Canada's reptile industry is under such a microscope right now they will grasp absolutely any opportunity to keep kicking us down.
Sounds like our friend here looking is going about it great Glad you came here to ask for help!

 

[5 Star Serpents]

I would greatly appreciate that! In the future I would like to breed as a hobby ..Just one clutch a year for the next couple years. I'm still doing endless research into it to be as prepared as one can possibly be lol. And yes it is because up here, certain morphs are much more elusive. For instance,Tessera, sunrise, lavender..all of which I love..but I've yet to see quite a few morphs in the flesh around here. I have a bit more researching to do before I know for sure what my goals/project will be for morphs...but I would definitely appreciate it if you woudln't mind me contacting you when I am sure

I would be happy to help We work with Tessera and Lavender here and are looking at possibly bringing in some Sunrise stuff.
But absolutely feel free to contact me!

 

[Jillian]

Would love to see more morphs this way. Not looking to breed them myself but there a some that i just want as display animals! Pied side and Miami's...maybe next season!

Lots of Amel's and Anerys around though AND they can have charm in on themselves. But not what i want every time.

 

[Merkavich]

I would be happy to help We work with Tessera and Lavender here and are looking at possibly bringing in some Sunrise stuff.
But absolutely feel free to contact me!

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out on your available list once I'm set.

I'll probably attempt to buy one snake right across the border, as there's a Fed ex pick up about 5 minutes away from the bridge, and many breeders will ship to these places. I'll just be sure to say it's a pet, and have the correct paperwork..and hope they let me cross. It's irritating that it seems sometimes they allow it, and sometimes they don't.

It's too bad more breeders don't ship to Canada..but I completely understand why they don't lol.

 

[5 Star Serpents]

Thanks! I'll keep an eye out on your available list once I'm set.

I'll probably attempt to buy one snake right across the border, as there's a Fed ex pick up about 5 minutes away from the bridge, and many breeders will ship to these places. I'll just be sure to say it's a pet, and have the correct paperwork..and hope they let me cross. It's irritating that it seems sometimes they allow it, and sometimes they don't.

It's too bad more breeders don't ship to Canada..but I completely understand why they don't lol.

It's not so much that they necessarily allow it sometimes and other times don't it's just that there has to be some sort of regulation on what comes in, they need to know if it is for pet purposes, retail/resale, or breeding purposes.
Make sure when you do come across you make an appointment with F&W to do the inspection. There usually is a fee for this but it is mandatory so they can ensure it is a legal species, you and I know it's just a corn snake but some people DO try to get in with other things and that's why they need to see it. I don't think any of us want to have our name in lights on the main yahoo or bing or whichever other page saying "Bob Jones attempts to illegally get snakes across the border" if you're lucky they will mention briefly that it's a corn snake but otherwise will just make a big show about someone smuggling snakes into Canada...just what we need right now when we are already at risk of losing our ability to keep any reptiles at all. The media and naysayers are absolutely dying to make us out to be horrible people who break the law and "smuggle" exotic pets into our beautiful country

I also do know of someone who was bringing in breeding stock without making sure it was all done by the book and they lost a lot of credibility, nobody wants to be associated with having and breeding snakes that aren't here "legally".

 

[codymi]

come down to windsor and alicia and i can throw them across to you. or maybe snake in a bottle...

 

[Merkavich]

come down to windsor and alicia and i can throw them across to you. or maybe snake in a bottle...

Lol..Thanks Cody I'll keep your offer in mind

 

[Christen]

I wonder if you can have a breeder put on the paperwork that they are unsexed due to being a pet only home, if that would work? Of course I guess it depends on the breeder if they would be willing to put that even if they are sexed.

 

[Alicia P]

Hey yeah, I've got a sling shot Cody lol

 

[5 Star Serpents]

I wonder if you can have a breeder put on the paperwork that they are unsexed due to being a pet only home, if that would work? Of course I guess it depends on the breeder if they would be willing to put that even if they are sexed.

Anything over 2 or 3 snakes they start to look at closely. Trust me, I'm all for importing but doing it LEGALLY and properly is absolutely vital! I've helped a number of people import corns into Canada (from all over Canada, not just local to myself), because I do have the ability to do it legally and for a very reasonable price. I would rather help people than have more media attention because of people trying to get around the rules and further risking our already under fire pets.