Importing Ball Python into US from Canada

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone has any experience importing ball pythons into the US from Canada. I go to school in Canada but am from New York and will be moving back in a few months. Anyone have any experience with different mail carriers for shipping snakes across the border or would it be easier to drive it across. I have done some research and know I need CITES from Canada as well as an exemption to cross at a non-registered portal. Any insight would be great.
Thanks,
John

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Originally Posted by john01209

Hello,
Just wondering if anyone has any experience importing ball pythons into the US from Canada. I go to school in Canada but am from New York and will be moving back in a few months. Anyone have any experience with different mail carriers for shipping snakes across the border or would it be easier to drive it across. I have done some research and know I need CITES from Canada as well as an exemption to cross at a non-registered portal. Any insight would be great.
Thanks,
John

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If you don't get cites you're a smuggler and could be arrested. It's a lot quicker to get cites in Canada to ship to the US than the other way around.

Breeders in the US now have Cites months in advance for animals they will produce so they can ship quickly. Most smaller breeders do not though.

John,

Just a reminder, because it's really hard to decipher whether you're asking the legal method to bring in animals from Canada or whether you're asking about smuggling them. BP.net does NOT allow any posts that promote illegal activities.

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8. No posts promoting illegal behavior will be tolerated, including but not limited to warez/pirating of copyrighted material, illegal drug or alcohol usage, and illegal ownership or trafficking of species.

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If you're trying to figure out how to get CITES paperwork in order to ship animals from Canada to the US, I'd recommend reaching out to one of the larger breeders in Canada, like Markus Jayne Ball Pythons and I'm sure that they'll be happy to answer all your questions and perhaps even help you get your paperwork in order. :)

I think it was pretty obvious you were trying to get everything in order, and not attempting to do anything illegal. Don't worry John, you get pounced on pretty quick on this forum. Hopefully someone has some actual advice for you.

well I've live on both sides of the border in northeast vermont, eastern townships of quebec. I've crossed both sides so many times with snakes in my car, sometimes in a bin right on the back seat, sometimes in a pillow case. I've never actually declared them though so I don't know what would happen if I did...chances are I'll be bringing more snakes through the border sometime in the near future and I'm not too worried about it.

hmmmmm. Ok. That might not be so legal.

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Originally Posted by 250rider

well I've live on both sides of the border in northeast vermont, eastern townships of quebec. I've crossed both sides so many times with snakes in my car, sometimes in a bin right on the back seat, sometimes in a pillow case. I've never actually declared them though so I don't know what would happen if I did...chances are I'll be bringing more snakes through the border sometime in the near future and I'm not too worried about it.

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Seriously? After I just posted that no posts discussing ILLEGAL activity would be tolerated on this site?

Just because you haven't been caught doesn't make it less of a FEDERAL violation! :mad:

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Seriously? After I just posted that no posts discussing ILLEGAL activity would be tolerated on this site?

Just because you haven't been caught doesn't make it less of a FEDERAL violation! :mad:

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uh oh...

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Originally Posted by 250rider

well I've live on both sides of the border in northeast vermont, eastern townships of quebec. I've crossed both sides so many times with snakes in my car, sometimes in a bin right on the back seat, sometimes in a pillow case. I've never actually declared them though so I don't know what would happen if I did...chances are I'll be bringing more snakes through the border sometime in the near future and I'm not too worried about it.

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People like YOU are what is wrong with this industry/hobby! :mad:

And people wonder why politicians are trying to take our rights away from us?

Wouldn't have anything to do with irresponsible people such as YOURSELF would it? :rolleyes:

Here is an idea for you how about trying to be a responsible reptile owner?

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Originally Posted by ballbreeder

I think it was pretty obvious you were trying to get everything in order, and not attempting to do anything illegal. Don't worry John, you get pounced on pretty quick on this forum. Hopefully someone has some actual advice for you.

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You think so huh? It's his first post. Big Gunns would say there's a 50/50 chance this is a federal agent.

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Originally Posted by 250rider

well I've live on both sides of the border in northeast vermont, eastern townships of quebec. I've crossed both sides so many times with snakes in my car, sometimes in a bin right on the back seat, sometimes in a pillow case. I've never actually declared them though so I don't know what would happen if I did...chances are I'll be bringing more snakes through the border sometime in the near future and I'm not too worried about it.

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This is why they post things like this. To trap people like 250. He just admitted he was a smuggler.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

Seriously? After I just posted that no posts discussing ILLEGAL activity would be tolerated on this site?

Just because you haven't been caught doesn't make it less of a FEDERAL violation! :mad:

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Yeah...it wasn't too smart on 250's part. Lets' hope John was just looking for the legal way to do it. If not, be expecting your door knocked in about 4am 250.

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Originally Posted by Deborah

People like YOU are what is wrong with this industry/hobby! :mad:

And people wonder why politicians are trying to take our rights away from us?

Wouldn't have anything to do with irresponsible people such as YOURSELF would it? :rolleyes:

Here is an idea for you how about trying to be a responsible reptile owner?

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Like BG said.....250 wasn't too swift here. Hopefully it won't come back to bite him.

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Originally Posted by ballbreeder

I think it was pretty obvious you were trying to get everything in order, and not attempting to do anything illegal. Don't worry John, you get pounced on pretty quick on this forum. Hopefully someone has some actual advice for you.

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I missed this the first pass - but really? This part of my post wasn't "actual" advice? :rolleyes:

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If you're trying to figure out how to get CITES paperwork in order to ship animals from Canada to the US, I'd recommend reaching out to one of the larger breeders in Canada, like Markus Jayne Ball Pythons and I'm sure that they'll be happy to answer all your questions and perhaps even help you get your paperwork in order.

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If John comes back and does really need help, we can answer all the questions he may have.

If he doesn't....it was nice knowing 250. Hope you have a good lawyer.:D

wow, so how many of you have actually lived in a border town?..I used to lived in canada and went to high school in the states and crossed the border on a daily basis. I've known customs officers on both sides of the border my whole life. some are friends parents, friends of the family, one was my social studies teacher. one I took martial arts with, we're all part of the community and know each other some way or another. and when I've had snakes in the car, the customs officers looked right at the container with the snake in plain sight but he didn't ask about it. and if there would have been an issue they would have just told me not to do it anymore and probably help me get the proper documentation to do so. yes maybe my experience is different being a local. I am not trying to promote illegal activity and I don't recommend that anyone do it. I realize my post might have been inappropriate and I apologize. people can bash me all they want and say "its because of people like you blah blah blah" but the the truth is I have more experience with customs than most people on here. once again I apologize.:oops:

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Originally Posted by 250rider

I have more experience with customs than most people on here

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I lived 5 minutes from the border of another country most of my life so I am too well aware of how it goes when you live on the border and how custom officers treat you when you cross a few times a week, however living on the border and/or being friendly with custom is one thing but the LAW is still the LAW and ignorance of the laws is not an excuse.

Their are laws everywhere where I live now there are strict laws concerning certain reptiles my choices are to abide by the law or break the law, I chose to abide the law and to be a responsible owner that also promote responsible ownership.

YOU chose to

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I've never actually declared them though so I don't know what would happen if I did...chances are I'll be bringing more snakes through the border sometime in the near future and I'm not too worried about it.

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See the problem here :rolleyes:

Be responsible and be knowledgeable about laws!

Well now you did it 250. Not only are they gonna knock down your door and drag you away. Now they're gonna force you to divulge who these border officers were so they can fire them. This hole keep getting deeper and deeper.

BG will be perfectly honest here. He's really only half kidding. It wouldn't surprise BG at all if something like that happens.

BG is also sure you were just trying to help, but admitting you committed a crime, and then telling someone how to do the same wasn't your greatest moment dude. BG really hopes everything will be alright for yah.:gj:

well, thanks for all the input. at the time(4-5 yrs ago), I don't think I even knew about any laws regarding bringing snakes across the border, crossing the border was part of daily life. and I didn't purposely not declare them. sometimes they just ask how long you were in country for and where you've been. if they would have asked I would have told them. I wasn't purposely trying to deceive customs.I honestly didn't think I was doing anything wrong.

I'm just trying to learn like everyone else and I'm thankful that there are forums like this with very knowledgeable people that point out our mistakes and help us along. sometimes we just don't realize that we could be doing something wrong. if for some reason in the future I plan on bringing snakes through I'll make sure I do it the right way. I love and take care of my animals to the best of my ability and I have much respect for this hobby and everyone involved. the last thing I want is to get replies like "its people like you" because thats not who I am and thats not what I'm about.

so anyhow, enough about me. any info regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated.

and as far as the customs agents. I don't think they'll lose their jobs any time soon. things have gotten a lot stricter at the border over the last few years which is a good thing.

YouTube - Derby Line, Vermont

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I missed this the first pass - but really? This part of my post wasn't "actual" advice? :rolleyes:

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Sorry rabernet. I owe you an apology. I was frustrated that you jumped on John so quick, and then 250 chimes in and totally vindicates your actions. So I humbly regret jumping on you for jumping on John. Man oh man 250! Why?

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Originally Posted by 250rider

well, thanks for all the input. at the time(4-5 yrs ago), I don't think I even knew about any laws regarding bringing snakes across the border, crossing the border was part of daily life. and I didn't purposely not declare them. sometimes they just ask how long you were in country for and where you've been. if they would have asked I would have told them. I wasn't purposely trying to deceive customs.I honestly didn't think I was doing anything wrong.

I'm just trying to learn like everyone else and I'm thankful that there are forums like this with very knowledgeable people that point out our mistakes and help us along. sometimes we just don't realize that we could be doing something wrong. if for some reason in the future I plan on bringing snakes through I'll make sure I do it the right way. I love and take care of my animals to the best of my ability and I have much respect for this hobby and everyone involved. the last thing I want is to get replies like "its people like you" because thats not who I am and thats not what I'm about.

so anyhow, enough about me. any info regarding this subject would be greatly appreciated.

and as far as the customs agents. I don't think they'll lose their jobs any time soon. things have gotten a lot stricter at the border over the last few years which is a good thing.

YouTube - Derby Line, Vermont

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Ignorance of the law is no excuse leeetle one, but Big Gunns will forgive you.:D Unfortunately for you Fish and Game won't. You're gonna be on the chain gang soon. Better start training...it's gonna be rough.:D


Kinda sad how it was in the old days(few years ago) huh? Great video.:gj:

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Originally Posted by ballbreeder

Sorry rabernet. I owe you an apology. I was frustrated that you jumped on John so quick, and then 250 chimes in and totally vindicates your actions. So I humbly regret jumping on you for jumping on John. Man oh man 250! Why?

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Apology accepted. :)

I didn't meant to jump on John, as I did state it was unclear from his post whether he was asking how to legally bring in snakes from Canada, or was seeking ways to sneak them across the border. Since I couldn't make a determination either way - I did issue the warning, but followed that with a suggestion on how to seek guidance on doing it legally. :)

So, it looks like BG might be right? The OP has not so much as commented on a single thread on the site since this one.......
Do crazy internet cops do this all the time in the states? Seems like a lame cop job, sit on a computer and try to chat with snake smugglers and pervs? (Although, probably pretty fruitful considering the things people will talk about on these forums.....)

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Originally Posted by 250rider

I didn't purposely not declare them. sometimes they just ask how long you were in country for and where you've been. if they would have asked I would have told them.

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i live right on the border as well have my whole life and i have crossed 100's of times and not one time did i cross did i not get asked if i had bought anything that i was bringing back with me. so you must not have told them when they asked.

If you need help I can walk you through it......

Makes me wonder how much agents from what ever law enforcement agency do things like that..... Probably scare all of us if we knew how often.

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Originally Posted by 771subliminal

i live right on the border as well have my whole life and i have crossed 100's of times and not one time did i cross did i not get asked if i had bought anything that i was bringing back with me. so you must not have told them when they asked.

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Just because they asked you each time, doesn't mean the customs in his town border did the same thing. You cannot assume things like that and place the blame on something so unfounded.

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Originally Posted by Corey Woods

If you need help I can walk you through it......

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Uhhhh, what? I hope you mean the method of getting customs and whatnot. ;)

Yes, I can walk you through the legal way of doing things. Canadian Wildlife Services, US Fish & Wildlife Import/Export License, Exemption to Designated Port Permit, US Fish & Wildlife Inspection....etc. The whole process to get setup with take a couple months so you should start on it now.

Corey