Birds crossing borders

[ribdude]

Hi all,

I am wondering if anyone knows about shipping birds from the U.S. to Canada. I am curious and would like to know where to find out information on this. Thanks in advance.

[Phenom]

Takes quite a bit of work and time, especially since most parrots are at least CITES III.

Some links to take a look at:
CITES - Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment Canada
Ordering Information - Helga's Parrot Hatch - Exotic birds - parrots, macaws, cockatoos and more
Pets - Import/Export Permits

Very simply you'll need an import parrot from Canada and an export permit from the US. They're are also lot's of other steps involved.

EDIT: Make sure to do lots of research before trying to do this, and try to find someone who has experience. Not something that one should attempt to do without great time spend on research. Lot's of terminology to know, permits to fill out, calls to make, possible travel, long wait times and then more permits. Know what you're getting into.

[B49]

Where do you apply for a CITES permit and what is the cost?

[hollmer]

I live 10 minutes from the us/can border in Niagara falls, I was born in Canada and now live in the US, I once asked what I needed to take my Macaw over to my moms while we were on vacation, and I was told it the rules for taking Birds across the border are very strick, For a dog all you need is proof of rabies vaccine, but for birds they often end up quarintined and require documentation from a vet. I have pasted links below for the US And Canadian Border sites, Enviornment Canada/Cities site, US panflet on Importing Pets, The Cities List showing all parrots and the cities permit requirement. You should be able to find all the information you need and contact information.

Whatever you do make sure you have all the right paperwork or they will impound your Bird and place it in quarintine, they do not receive the best care under these situations and I have heard of peoples pet birds ending up very sick or dead from being in quarintine at the border.

Here are links to the US Customs and Border Website.CBP.gov - home page
The Canadian Border Patrol Website.Welcome to the Canada Border Services Agency | Bienvenue à l'Agence des services frontaliers du Canada

THis is a link to the US Border Patrol Brochure on Pets and Wildlife Health and Licensing There is a section on Birds in there http://www.cbp.gov/linkhandler/cgov/...d.ctt/pets.pdf

This is a link to Cities/enviornment canada CITES - Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment Canada

This is a list of parrots on the cities list as of 2005 http://www.cites.ec.gc.ca/listedecon...t.swTextResult

This is a link to the cities website for canada permit requirements. CITES - Canadian Wildlife Service - Environment Canada

[Phenom]

Originally Posted by B49

Where do you apply for a CITES permit and what is the cost?

The cost of the permits themselves range from $50 to $150. The permits for traveling with a pet bird will differ from permits required when purchasing a new bird etc.

CITES permit forms are found online and are mailed to corresponding offices.

[r2rusmc]

I'm no longer working in that department but per the US regs...

Personal pet birds - A person may import in his or her personal possession, without permit, not more than two birds of the parrot family or two song birds, with declaration to Canadian Customs that the birds have been in his or her personal possession and not in contact with other birds during the 90 days prior to entry into Canada. Not more than one member of a family (husband, wife, or children) may import birds under these requirements during any 90-day period. The Canadian Declaration Form (AGR 1553) is available from Canadian Customs at the port of entry.

Per Canadian regs..

For import purposes, the expression "pet bird" means a personally owned and cared for bird, and applies only to species commonly known as "caged" birds such as psittacines, love birds, song birds, toucans, canaries, finches, cardinals, etc. The expression does not apply to pigeons, doves, species of wild or domesticated fowl, or game birds.

It is possible to import personally-owned pet birds under the following conditions:
1. The birds must accompany the owner or in the possession of an immediate family member.
2. The birds must be found to be healthy when inspected at the port of entry.
3. The owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds have been in his/her possession for the (90) ninety-day period preceding the date of importation and have not been in contact with any other birds during that time.
4. The owner must sign a declaration stating that the birds are the owner’s personal pets and are not being imported for the purpose of re-sale.
5. The owner or any member of the family must not have imported birds into Canada under this pet bird provision during the preceding ninety (90) day period.

The necessary certification to clear Customs will be made by filling out the form which is available at Customs. Under the above arrangement, no import permit or quarantine period is required. If these conditions cannot be met, it will be necessary for you to obtain an import permit from the appropriate Canadian Food Inspection Agency regional office in the province into which you will be entering.

The importation of birds into Canada is also subject to the control of the Canadian Wildlife Service ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species - (CITES)). You may contact them by telephone at 613-997-1840, by facsimile at 613-953-6283 or by email at the following address: suzanne.vincent@ec.gc.ca.

With the ongoing concerns with Avian Infuenza, the regulations can change almost daily.

Now bringing the bird back into the US can be another issue. You'll have to go thru a vet inspection upon re-entry into the US. Really simple as it is just a visual inspection. But you'll have to fill out paperwork (of course) and sign an affidavit stating the bird is yours and that you'll keep it quarantined in your home for 30 days. Chances are good that you'll get a surprise home "visit" from a USDA official during that time.

Because of that, you'll need to use a border crossing that has a USDA vet available and unless you schedule in advance (huge extra fees) you'll need to cross during normal working hours. Regardless of time, there is a fee involved and you can pay check or credit card ONLY. Cash is not accepted.

Also, we've had issues with Customs regarding birds so a call to Customs at the port you're crossing would be advisable.

Make sure you write down names and numbers of who you talked to and when. With Customs, sometimes the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing. Having contact information will save you headaches.

Were do you plan on crossing?

Edited to add: The above info is for crossing with a pet.