Shipping between USA and Canada - Can you afford it?

[el8ch]

Just want to share my general frustration - I have sourced a few animals that I would like to add to my collection that happen to be in the States, unfortunately due to extremely high shipping costs it makes it horribly expensive to be able to bring in anything. The Ball Python market here in Canada is doing well, but it would just be nice to be able to go to the source to get specific lines or morphs. Just this week I received shipping quotes anywhere from $500 to $1500.

I'd even be willing to cross drive to the states to pick up certain snakes, but I am not sure of the legalities to bring them back over the border.

Can anyone offer any alternatives or have shipped across the border successfully for a decent price. Thoughts/Suggestions

[dr del]

Hi,

Ball pythons are cites 2 listed so you need both export and import paperwork.

You will also probably have to pay import duty at the border.


dr del

[seang89]

I've briefly looked into getting animals from the states. Its very long and costly process from what I've gathered. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in on exactly what has to be done and what type of costs your looking at.

IMO It seems Canada is more of a sellers market, the US is more of a buyers markets.

Some animals in Canada, you can get for half the price in the states. But that doesn't make it cheap to bring them here.

[Sugarbone]

As far as I can tell it's not really worth it unless you're invested in importing very expensive and specific animals, or a lot of them - to the point where $1000 shipping and import duties is only a dent. I feel your pain, I find exactly what I want for great prices up and down American breeders' sites, the Canadian ones are much harder to find.

[llovelace]

We have a couple members here that are located in Canada that breed. Look up Bruce Whitehead.

[jason_ladouceur]

the smaller market up here and the huge costs in importing from the U.S. is exactly why animals here are so much more exspensive. trust me i feel your pain. it sucks when you see prices of animals an hour south of here and there 1/2 what they cost here and there is nothing you can do about it.

[el8ch]

Hi,

Ball pythons are cites 2 listed so you need both export and import paperwork.

You will also probably have to pay import duty at the border.


dr del

Thanks Del - I wll do some more research with regards to the paperwork involved. Most breeders I talked to said I should just wait until I have some buddies that also want to import and all do it together...

I've briefly looked into getting animals from the states. Its very long and costly process from what I've gathered. Maybe someone with more experience will chime in on exactly what has to be done and what type of costs your looking at.

IMO It seems Canada is more of a sellers market, the US is more of a buyers markets.

Some animals in Canada, you can get for half the price in the states. But that doesn't make it cheap to bring them here.

Agreed. Canadian prices can be very high compared to the US, but that is to be expected. The US market is huge compared to ours here. Many morphs that are readily available in the US are still considered to be 'hard-to-find' items here.

As far as I can tell it's not really worth it unless you're invested in importing very expensive and specific animals, or a lot of them - to the point where $1000 shipping and import duties is only a dent. I feel your pain, I find exactly what I want for great prices up and down American breeders' sites, the Canadian ones are much harder to find.

Very True - If I were spending big money I doubt that the $1000 dollar shipping would bother me as much and could be absorbed in the deal. I was originally looking for simple recessives - Axanthics, Clowns, Pieds, Albino and a POG. I find them here and there, but do not have anywhere near the same options as the states.

We have a couple members here that are located in Canada that breed. Look up Bruce Whitehead.

Thanks! I will look him up!

[decensored]

Look Up Omega Pythons - The guys who owns the company is Chris. Tell him Chris (the guy who bought his old rack) told you about him. He's VERY reasonable and really nice. I recommend him to everyone.

http://www.omegapythons.com/

Just send him an email and tell him what your looking for. I was looking to get an Axanthic and he didn't have any so he set me up with one of his contacts who did and I got an amazing deal.

Cheers!

[el8ch]

the smaller market up here and the huge costs in importing from the U.S. is exactly why animals here are so much more exspensive. trust me i feel your pain. it sucks when you see prices of animals an hour south of here and there 1/2 what they cost here and there is nothing you can do about it.

Yessir!

[Trolle]

i know a few americans who wanted to give me a few sandboa's for free to support my breeding
the shipping would be mine to pay until i saw the pricetag of shipping them to belgium
was around 1500$ just to get them to europe let alone to where i live
it isnt worth the hasstle unless its really really worth it