Importing a Tortoise from the UK to Canada (As an immigrant)

[Taylorannc]

Hi All,

I’m currently in the process of moving to Canada from the UK and have a horsfield tortoise that I would like to bring with me. Based on the Canadian government website it’s legally possible, however, I’m struggling to find a company willing to ship for me.

Any advice or recommendations would be much appreciated!

Even a company able to ship from mainland Europe would be a possibility for me to use.

Thanks in Advance,
Taylor

 

[Yvonne G]

I'm sorry, I don't have any information for you. I just wanted to respond so your post doesn't get lost in the shuffle. Oh, and Welcome to the Forum!

 

[TortoiseRacket]

www.parrotsoftheworld.com will probably be able to receive your package in the US, and if so, will definitely be able to ship to Canada. Marc, the owner, is amazing and will take extreme measures to make sure your friend is safe.

Best,

Mickey

 

[Taylorannc]

Thank you both!

I’m worried I may be complicating things if I send to the USA first is all. Plus it’s probably easier on the tort for the journey to be as short as possible!

 

[TortoiseRacket]

If you don’t want to do that, don’t do it! I’m sure there is another way. I hope you find it and welcome to the forum!
Best,

Mickey

 

[Yvonne G]

You're right. Don't send to the U.S. first.

 

[Blackdog1714]

Using the mighty Google- http://www.inspection.gc.ca/animals...-and-reptiles/eng/1326658752555/1326658911065 it gives you an outline an links to getting permits. Would you be open to carrying on the tortoise I think it woul just depend on the particular airline since space requirment would be minimal- ie carry on! Good Luck

 

[Taylorannc]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

 

[Maro2Bear]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

Great! What kind of carrier/box did you use? Did you have to “declare” it, or just walk on through. Simple is best, and it saved you a fortune.

 

[Reptilony]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

Good job, I would probably have done the same

 

[Ketta]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

How you did that.. what paperworks are needed? I'm in Venezuela and would like to move to USA either next year or in 2021 after I graduate from university. I should graduate in December of next year.

 

[Taylorannc]

How you did that.. what paperworks are needed? I'm in Venezuela and would like to move to USA either next year or in 2021 after I graduate from university. I should graduate in December of next year.

The USA seems a lot more complicated to bring a tortoise in as it varies so much by state! For Canada I just needed an import permit (no CITES needed as he's annex B of schedule II)!

 

[Taylorannc]

Great! What kind of carrier/box did you use? Did you have to “declare” it, or just walk on through. Simple is best, and it saved you a fortune.

Yes I did declare him, I didn't want to do anything illegal! They sent me to secondary inspection and the agent said called CITES to ensure it was all ok. Thankfully horsfield's are in annex B so much less restricted by CITES!

Just had a small animal carrier in a bag that would fit under the seat in front of me and a few little heat pads.

 

[dmmj]

As far as I know no state has restructions on redfoot(feet?) the big problem is the FED and possible quaratine depending on what state( take hawaii for example)

 

[Mimi J]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

Hello! Your post really gave me hope, I’m moving to Canada as a immigrant too, and don’t want to leave my 21 year old tortoise behind. I read only zoos/reasearch centers get import permits - how did you work around that?

 

[rhuthetort]

Yes I did declare him, I didn't want to do anything illegal! They sent me to secondary inspection and the agent said called CITES to ensure it was all ok. Thankfully horsfield's are in annex B so much less restricted by CITES!

Just had a small animal carrier in a bag that would fit under the seat in front of me and a few little heat pads.

That's great news you managed to get your tortoise to Canada. I am having the exact same issue, moving from UK to Canada and want to bring my horsefield tortoise. I have the import permit from the CFIA but am struggling to get an airline or company to ship him. May I ask what airline you flew with with your tort and what airport you went from? Is it easy to get your tortoise through security? Thanks

 

[Canadian Mojo]

I can't offer much help other than to repeat this from a previous thread.

Start here:
https://www.inspection.gc.ca/animal...es-or-turtles/eng/1326658752555/1326658911065

The .gc.ca extension means it is an official Canadian government page, so it should be pretty accurate, but that's not a grantee. Start now, because our bureaucracy can be slow and full of idiots.

Good luck.

(link to original thread: https://www.tortoiseforum.org/threads/urgent-help-moving-out-of-country.188526/#post-1902254 )

 

[mei]

I ended up just carrying him on the plane! Didn’t mention it to the airline but wasn’t asked. I did have all the necessary permits and paperwork done which were checked at customs. He’s now successfully arrived in Canada! [emoji5]

Congratulations! I’m planning to bring my pet tortoise into canada with me as well, im moving. But the government regulations seems to forbid personal import, wondering what documents did you prepared. Thanks!