Going to Australia!

[Damonc]

Well my son is a student at the University of Missouri Columbia and is majoring in mechanical engineering. He is also on the formula car race team as well. The team builds a 1/4 scale formula car and competes against other colleges around the country. They just went to California and competed against over 50 other colleges and finished 7th. The top ten now get to move on to World competitions in Australia!

I am very proud of him and intend to go along this December to watch him compete.

So while I'm visiting is there any opportunity for Apistos?

Also if I did find something exceptional can you check bags of fish in a suit case?

Would I need any special licence?

 

[Mike Wise]

I hope an Aussie answers you. Based on what I know, Australia has very strict regulations on wildlife coming into and going out of the country. As such, they don't have nearly as many species of aquarium fish as in the US. I'm not sure of the rules for removing exotic species out of the country, but native species - wow, are they sticklers! If they allow shipping apistos out, then you have a fair chance of getting them into LAX. Miami, on the other hand ... I just recommend that you list them on your customs form as tank bred fish for your personal aquariums. I brought about 150 apistos back from Peru through LAX without problems. The customs agent that I had, had no problem with them. Just be pleasant, honest, and patient.

 

[Rod]

Hi

Where in Australia are you going?
It's quite a big place.....

I don't know much about exporting fish....only interested in what comes IN!!
I don't think you need a licence unless fish are "Wild" caught natives
Most Airlines won't let you have fish in your baggage as such.....but you maybe able to organise shipment for additional fee(of course)
Special packing needed....double bagged/oxygen styrofoam box

Plenty of Apisto's about.....but they seem to come in spurts
I'd be amazed if there were more apisto's here than in USA!!!

 

[Nebraska_cichlids]

I can only second what Mike told you: being pleasant, honest, and patient goes a long way with the wildlife inspectors at the airport. I brought in fish through Chicago O'Hare on a few occasions and never had any problems (other than being delayed because of the inspection). I always checked my fish in the luggage (styrofoam inside a cardboard box). The fish did well, but it's been a comparably short trip from Frankfurt, Germany. It is absolutely critical, at least in my experience, that you make an appointment with the inspectors before leaving for Australia. They will not charge for the inspection, as long as you enter the U.S. during the inspectors' office hours. You may bring up to 5 fish into the fish without needing a license, but I'm not sure whether that's per species or the total. When asked make it clear that the fish are for your show tank and that you have no intent of selling them.

 

[dwarfpike]

There is a store that gets apisto imports down there that two members here frequent (japes and briztoon) .. but I can't remember the name. Hopefully one of them will check in here.

 

[briztoon]

Oh Rod (and other forum mmembers) is a regular shopper there as well. Also the owner of the LFS Fishchiks is a member here, but may not read this thread. Jodi-Lea would definately be the best person to answer this question, unfortunately she may not as she really is a very busy person.

 

[bettamuse]

Firstly, congrats to your son, well done.
We have no native Apistogramma or cichlids of any species, so they are all non native and exportable. Jodi (fishchick) and I have taken fish over to Singapore for shows before so the answer is yes to exporting fish. How to take thee fish back is up to you and you are best talking to your carrier about this, as they are the ones that set the rules for their planes. Australian law may require you to get an export permit for animals (fish) from Australia quarantine and inspection service (AQIS). This is also for you to show were the fish have come from to your authorities if they ask.

What part of Australia are you going to, we might be able to point you to shops in that area worth seeing.

Cheers
Todd