Opportunity knocks

[georgedv]

I was just invited to go to Peru for a few days in March. I do not know where exactly yet. This is a short 2-3 day trip. No time for adventures in the jungle. However, while I am there is there a place to buy wild apistos and other fish to bring back? Also what paper work do I need to be able to bring them back?

I hope i am not going over my head here.

Thanks for any help.

g

 

[Gillie]

I would try contacting U.S. Customs they should be able to help. You'd probably end up having to file for an import liscence.

 

[Mike Wise]

For customs it really depends on where you land. I spent 4 weeks (October) in Peru/Colombia and returned with ~ 150 fish in my luggage. I entered the US through LAX. I reported the fish on my customs form. When asked what kind of livestock, I said "small tropical fish". The customs officer said, "Fish? Fish are ok." and stamped my form as cleared and I was through. I hear that Florida customs is much more 'hard-nosed', requiring permits, vet clearance, etc.

 

[Gillie]

I hear that Florida customs is much more 'hard-nosed', requiring permits, vet clearance, etc.

They are very careful down there. Their invasive species list is longer than their native list. They have a hard enough time with invasive
species I'm sure they don't want some nasty tropical critter bug wiping out even more natives. Didn't mean to go off topic, I just had to throw that in.

 

[Bev N]

I would contact your state's fish and game as well as us fish and game. It is my understanding that you can bring in fish for your own personal collection without an import license but I'm not positive. I'm just quoting what I had been told.

I just got a notice from one of the transhippers I deal with that the us fish and wildlife just upped their inspection fee to $222 per shipment. I don't know what other fees you might incur.

This is the link for you. The cost of an import license is $125.00 per year.

http://www.fws.gov/permits/ImportExport/ImportExport.shtml

http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/CommWildlifeImportExport.htm

These two links should give you a lot of informaiton about what is required, designated ports and so on.

 

[chris1932]

Mike can you put me in your luggage next time you take the trip, I'm not too big and on the return trip I can help keep our fish warm.

 

[tjudy]

I am going through this process and I think I am on top of it. Mike's experience at LAX is atypical... it used to be common, but wildlife laws are more strict now. For anything more than 6 fish (not six bags... six fish) you will need an import license to be safe if you do not get the agent Mike did.

Plus you will need to fill out in shipment forms and let Fish and Wildlife know when you are coming in with the fish before you bring them. There is a $50 import fee on top of the $100 license. If the airport is not a Fish and Wildlife port, there will be additional fees... if they let you do it at all.

My bet is that the majority of the time an agent will let a hobbyist through with up to a few dozen fish, especially if you are polite and play dumb to what the rules are. Just be willing to kiss the fish goodbye if you get a picky agent.

I am getting all the paperwork and permits in order because I do not want to risk not being able to get fish in from my trip to Africa next month.