Bringing fish in from the states

[Jeff1192]

I'm going down to the United States next week for a few days and I'm planning on checking a couple of fish stores while I'm down there. I'll be driving. Anyone know if we can bring tropical fish across the border or are there issues?

Thanks,

Jeff

[Montrealguy]

I do it all the time. You need to know the Latin name of the fish, and that it is not CITES listed (endangered). You need the sales slip for Customs, and a thick skin for the border guards who may give you a hard time for having little fishies.
Your fish must be humanely packed, and that's about it. Uninformed guards may slow you down, but usually not.
Do not take fish INTO the USA. Then, you will discover the true meaning of expensive bureaucracy. Into Canada is fine.

[beowulf]

Fish and inverts have little restrictions for the most part.  Certain things are banned like mitten crabs.

MEMORANDUM D19-8-2
Ottawa, October 5, 1984
SUBJECT
FISHERIES ACT
FISH HEALTH PROTECTION REGULATIONS
This Department assists the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with the administration
of the Fisheries Act and the Fish Health Protection Regulations promulgated thereunder.
This Memorandum outlines the requirements concerning the importation of fish and fish
products subject to these regulations.
GUIDELINES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
1. The Fish Health Protection Regulations are designed to prevent the spread of
infectious fish diseases through inspection of production sources of fish stocks, and to
control the movements of infected fish stocks. They apply to live and dead cultured fish,
eggs (including any fertilized or unfertilized sex products) of cultured and wild fish and
products of dead cultured fish (including cold smoked products, but not heat processed
canned products), destined to move into Canada or across provincial boundaries within
Canada.
2. "Cultured fish" as defined in the Fish Health Protection Regulations means a fish listed
in Schedule I that is propagated by man in a fish culture facility and includes the eggs of
such fish. The listing of Schedule I fish is attached as Appendix A to this Memorandum.
3. Local Fish Health Officers administer the Fish Health Protection Regulations in their
respective provinces or regions. They may be contacted at the locations indicated in
Appendix B to this Memorandum.
4. The importation of the fish or fish products of species listed in Appendix A to this
Memorandum is prohibited unless authorization in the form of an import permit is
obtained from the Local Fish Health Officer.
Permit Procedure
5. Each shipment of fish or fish products of species listed in Appendix A to this
Memorandum is to be accompanied by an import permit issued by a Local Fish Health
Officer from the province or region receiving the shipment.
6. At time of importation, the importer/owner must present two (importer/owner and
Customs) copies of the import permit to Customs.
7. Customs will verify:
(a) the shipment quantity and description with Customs documents; and
(b) the effective and expiry dates of the permit.
8. Customs will validate the importer/owner and Customs copies of the import permit
with signature and Customs date stamp.
9. Customs will release the shipment and return the validated importer/owner copy of the
permit to the importer/owner.
10. The Customs copy of the permit is to be filed with the original copy of the accounting
document.
Discrepancies
11. In the case of a discrepancy in quantity, description, or effective and expiry date on
the permit and Customs document, the shipment is to be detained and the Local Fish
Health Officer notified immediately.
Shipments Without Permits
12. Where a shipment is not accompanied by an import permit, the Local Fish Health
Officer is to be contacted immediately and provided with details of the shipment
(importer/owner name, description of shipment, quantity, country of export, cargo control
number and release document number).
13. The Local Fish Health Officer may give verbal authorization to release the shipment
by providing Customs with an applicable import permit number and effective date. This
information is to be noted on the original copy of the release document.
14. This authorization will be confirmed immediately by telex or in writing by referring
to importer/owner name, cargo control number and the release document number. This
confirmation is to be filed with the original copy of the accounting document.
15. In the case of shipments of dead cultured fish only, a copy of a valid Fish Health
Certificate with completed sections relating to "Consignment" and "Exporters
Declaration" may be acceptable to Local Fish Health Officers in place of an Import
Permit. The Local Fish Health Officer should still be contacted to confirm validity of the
Fish Health Certificate and provide details of the shipment as in paragraph 12 of this
Memorandum.
Additional Requirements
16. Notwithstanding paragraph 1 to 5 of this Memorandum, dead fish of the species listed
in Appendix A to this Memorandum which are intended for human consumption remain
subject to the provisions of the Fish Inspection Act and Regulations with respect to
quality, labelling, etc. These requirements are outlined in Memorandum D19-8-1, Fish
Inspection Act and Regulations.
Penalty Information
17. In the event of violation of the Fisheries Act, or the Fish Health Protection
Regulations, seizure and other powers specified in the Fisheries Act may be applied by
officers of Fisheries and Oceans.
18. Section 61(1) of the Act states that "except as otherwise provided in this Act, every
person who contravenes any provision of this Act or the regulations is guilty of an
offence and liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five thousand dollars or
to imprisonment for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both".
Additional Information
19. For additional information regarding the import requirements of the Fish Health
Protection Regulations, importers/owners should communicate with the Local Fish
Health Officers listed in Appendix B to this Memorandum.
20. General Information regarding the Fish Health Protection Regulations may be
obtained from:
National Registry of Fish Diseases
Aquaculture and Resource Development Branch
Fisheries Research Directorate
Department of Fisheries and Oceans
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0E6
APPENDIX A
SCHEDULE I TO THE FISH HEALTH PROTECTION REGULATIONS
All species and hybrids derived from species of fish belonging to the family Salmonidae,
including the following genera:
Common Name Scientific Name
Pacific salmon (including coho, chinook,
chum, pink and sockeye salmon)
Oncorhynchus spp.
Danube salmon and Taimens Hucho spp.
Atlantic salmon Salmon salar
Trout (rainbow trout, brown trout, etc.) Salmo spp.
Char (speckled trout, arctic char, etc.) Salvelinus spp.
Grayling Thymallus spp.
Lenok Brachymystax spp.
Inconnu Stenodus spp.
Whitefish Coregonus spp.
Whitefish Prosopium spp.
AYV Plecoglossus spp.

[beowulf]

MEMORANDUM D19-8-1
Ottawa, August 3, 1984
SUBJECT
FISH INSPECTION ACT AND REGULATIONS
This Department assists the Department of Fisheries and Oceans with the administration
of the Fish Inspection Act and Regulations. This Memorandum outlines the requirements
concerning the importation and exportation of fish and fish products subject to this
legislation.
GUIDELINES AND GENERAL INFORMATION
Definitions
1. In the Fish Inspection Act:
(a) "container" means any type of receptacle, package, wrapper or confining band,
used in packing or marketing fish;
(b) "fish" means any fish, including shellfish and crustaceans, and marine animals,
and any parts, products or by-products thereof;
(c) "processing" includes cleaning, filleting, icing, packing, canning, freezing,
smoking, salting, cooking, pickling, drying or preparing fish for market in any other
manner.
Regulations
2. Section 3 of the Fish Inspection Act authorizes the Governor in Council to make
regulations for the purpose of regulating the importation and exportation of fish and
containers. Regulations pursuant to this section prescribe such items as grades, quality
and standards for fish; requirements for the processing, storing, grading, packaging,
marking, transporting and inspection of fish; the quality and specifications for containers
of fish and the marking and inspection of such containers; and the sanitary conditions of
importers'/owners' establishments and conveyances.
3. Section 10(1) of the Act states that "no person shall import, export, sell for export or
have in his possession for export any fish intended for human consumption that is tainted,
decomposed or unwholesome".
4. "Tainted" with respect to fish, means fish that is rancid or has an abnormal odour or
flavour.
5. "Decomposed" with respect to fish, means fish that has an offensive or objectionable
odour, flavour, colour or texture or substance associated with spoilage.
6. "Unwholesome" with respect to fish, means fish that has in or upon it bacteria of
public health significance or substance toxic or aesthetically offensive to man.
7. All persons importing fish or fish products for commercial purposes must have a valid
import licence issued by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
8. All persons importing fish or fish products for commercial purposes must notify the
Department of Fisheries and Oceans, Inspection Services, in writing, describing the
shipment of fish, either prior to importing or within 48 hours following the importation.
See the Appendix to this Memorandum for a list of Department of Fisheries and Oceans,
Fish Inspection offices.
Inspection
9. Importations of fish and fish products intended for human consumption are subject to
this legislation and are subject to an inspection by an inspector of the Department of
Fisheries and Oceans.
Oysters, Clams, Mussels and Other Molluscs
10. The importation into Canada of uncooked fresh or frozen oysters, clams, mussels, or
other molluscs (except scallops), either shucked or in the shell, is prohibited unless each
container is clearly labelled with the shipper's name, address and certificate number as
indicated on the Interstate Certified Shellfish Shippers List issued by the Food and Drug
Administration (F.D.A.) of the United States Department of Health and Human
Resources.
Live Mitten Crab
11. Importation of any species of live freshwater mitten crab of the genus Eriocheir is
prohibited.
Personal Exemptions
12. With the exception of live mitten crab, importations which accompany a traveller and
which are for personal use and will not be traded or sold in Canada, are not subject to this
legislation and do not require inspection by a Fisheries and Oceans Inspector.
Detention
13. Goods subject to this legislation may be detained by Customs on behalf of the federal
Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
14. As inspectors of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans are not present at Customs
offices to examine fish and fish products, shipments which otherwise are in order, are to
be released following normal procedures.
15. Customs Inspectors will detain all prohibited importations of shellfish and live mitten
crab and notify the nearest Fish Inspection office listed in the Appendix to this
Memorandum. See paragraphs 10 and 11 of this Memorandum.
16. In cases where a particular problem has been identified, the Inspection Services
Branch, Department of Fisheries and Oceans at National Headquarters may request
information on specific commodities or importers/owners, or may request that certain
shipments be detained. In this regard, Customs Cargo and Release Division at
Headquarters will issue the authorization to release information or to detain shipments
and will indicate the procedure the Customs Inspector is to follow.
17. The appropriate Fish Inspection official will make such disposition of the detained
goods as he deems necessary.
Penalty Information
18. Where a person is convicted of an offence against Part I of the Fish Inspection Act
(which relates to the importation and exportation of fish and containers) or any
regulations thereunder (see paragraph 2 of this Memorandum), the fish and containers by
means of or in relation to which the offence was committed, upon such conviction, in
addition to any penalty imposed, are forfeited to Her Majesty and may be disposed of as
the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans may direct.
19. Section 9(1) of the Act states that "no person shall falsify or unlawfully alter, destroy,
erase or obliterate any declaration, inspection certificate or other document made or
issued under this Part or the regulations thereunder or any marks placed on any
containers pursuant to this Part or the regulations thereunder".
20. Section 9(2) of the Act states that "every person who violates subsection (1) is guilty
of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of not less than fifty dollars
and not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term of not less than two
months and not exceeding six months, or to both fine and imprisonment".
21. Every person who violates section 10(1) of the Act (see paragraph 3 of this
Memorandum) is "guilty of an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of
not less than one hundred dollars and not exceeding five hundred dollars or to
imprisonment for a term of not less than three months and not exceeding six months, or
to both fine and imprisonment".
22. Section 11 of the Act relates to general penalty information. "Every person who
violates any of the provisions of this Part or the regulations thereunder for which no
penalty is elsewhere provided in this Part is guilty of an offence and is liable on summary
conviction to a fine not exceeding five hundred dollars or to imprisonment for a term not
exceeding six months, or to both".
Additional Information
23. For additional information regarding the requirements of the Fish Inspection Act or
Fish Inspection Regulations, importers or exporters should communicate with the
appropriate Fish Inspection office listed in the Appendix to this Memorandum.
APPENDIX
DEPARTMENT OF FISHERIES AND OCEANS
FISH INSPECTION OFFICES
Newfoundland
P.O. Box 5667
St. John's, Newfoundland
A1C 5X1
(709) 772-4424 — telephone
(709) 772-2282 — facsimile
P.O. Box 2009
Corner Brook, Newfoundland
A2H 6Z6
(709) 637-4342 — telephone
(709) 634-1421 — facsimile
Prince Edward Island
P.O. Box 1236
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
C1A 7M8
(902) 566-7807 — telephone
(902) 566-7848 — facsimile
Nova Scotia
1721 Lower Water St.
P.O. Box 550
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 2S7
(902) 426-7811 — telephone
(902) 426-3479 — facsimile
P.O. Box 1085
Sydney, Nova Scotia
B1P 6J7
(902) 564-7362 — telephone
(902) 564-7398 — facsimile
215 Main St.
P.O. Box 190
Yarmouth, Nova Scotia
B5A 1C6
(902) 742-1100 — telephone
(902) 742-2421 — facsimile
New Brunswick
P.O. Box 270
Black's Harbour, New Brunswick
E0G 1H0
(506) 456-3377 or
(506) 456-3376 — telephone
(506) 456-3818 — facsimile
P.O. Box 5030
Moncton, New Brunswick
E1C 9B6
(506) 851-6562 — telephone
(506) 851-7732 — facsimile
P.O. Box 370
Shediac, New Brunswick
E0A 3G0
(506) 532-4407 — telephone
(506) 532-9756 — facsimile
P.O. Box 358
Shippagan, New Brunswick
E0B 2P0
(506) 336-2271 — telephone
(506) 336-8708 — facsimile
Québec
Montréal
789 Roland Therrien Boulevard
Longueuil, Quebec
J4H 4A6
(514) 928-4300 — telephone
(514) 651-5652 — facsimile
Northshore
25 Napoleon Street
Sept-Îles, Quebec
G4R 3K7
(418) 962-6314 or
(418) 962-6312 — telephone
(418) 962-1044 — facsimile
901 Cap Diamant
P.O. Box 15 500
Québec City, Quebec
G1K 7Y7
(418) 648-3443 — telephone
(418) 648-4470 — facsimile
P.O. Box 516
Gaspé, Quebec
G0C 1R0
(418) 368-5559 — telephone
(418) 368-4349 — facsimile
Ontario
45 Hannover Drive
Unit 9
St. Catharines, Ontario
L2W 1A3
(416) 641-4724 — telephone
(416) 641-4709 — facsimile
590 Keele Street, Room 410
Toronto, Ontario
M6N 3E3
(416) 763-1161 — telephone
(416) 973-6450 — facsimile
P.O. Box 219
7 Iroquois Road
Leamington, Ontario
N8H 3W2
(519) 326-2617 — telephone
(519) 326-2257 — facsimile
P.O. Box 414
Kingston, Ontario
K7L 4W2
(613) 545-8358 — telephone
(613) 545-8647 — facsimile
2825 Sheffield Road
Ottawa, Ontario
(613) 990-2827 — telephone
(613) 993-8635 — facsimile
33 Court St., Room 320
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 2W6
(807) 475-4881 — telephone
(807) 475-4362 — facsimile
Manitoba
Central District Office
153 Lombard Avenue, Room 112
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3B 0T4
(204) 983-5373 — telephone
(204) 983-7166 — facsimile
Regional Headquarters
501 University Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3T 2N6
(204) 983-5063 — telephone
(204) 983-6285 — facsimile
Saskatchewan
Immigration Building
Prince Albert, Saskatchewan
S6V 4E8
(306) 953-8595 — telephone
(306) 953-8649 — facsimile
Alberta
P.O. Box 22928, Station M
Calgary, Alberta
T2P 4C1
(403) 292-5858 — telephone
(403) 292-6088 — facsimile
5320-122nd Street, Room 3021
Edmonton, Alberta
T6H 3S5
(403) 435-7372 — telephone
(403) 435-7296 — facsimile
British Columbia
417-2nd Avenue West, Room 224
Prince Rupert, British Columbia
V8J 1G8
(604) 624-0435 — telephone
(604) 627-3054 — facsimile
2250 South Boundry Road
Burnaby, British Columbia
V5M 4L9
(604) 666-7970 — telephone
(604) 666-4440 — facsimile
4250 Commerce Circle
Victoria, British Columbia
V8Z 4M2
(604) 388-3455 — telephone
(604) 363-0336 — facsimile
REFERENCES
ISSUING OFFICE —
Cargo and Release Division
LEGISLATIVE REFERENCES —
Fish Inspection Act
Fish Inspection Regulations, C.R.C., c. 802, as amended
Pacific Commercial Salmon Fishery Regulations, C.R.C., c. 823, as amended
Fisheries Act, C.R.C., c. 18
HEADQUARTERS FILE —
7614-12-1, 7614-12-2
SUPERSEDED MEMORANDA "D" —
N/A
OTHER REFERENCES —
N/A
SERVICES PROVIDED BY THE DEPARTMENT ARE AVAILABLE IN BOTH
OFFICIAL LANGUAGES.
THIS MEMORANDUM IS ISSUED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF THE DEPUTY
MINISTER OF NATIONAL REVENUE, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE.

[beowulf]

The last one is cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-1-1-eng.pdf which includes a link to AIRS which is a site that allows you to check if your agricultural related product can be imported and tells you what document(s) you might need.  Seems to be down right now though.

airs-sari.gc.ca