International Travel with Wildlife from Canada

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What is Wildlife?

Wildlife means any wild animal, whether alive or dead, including without limitation any wild mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, fish, mollusk, crustacean, arthropod, coelenterate, or other invertebrate, whether or not bred, hatched, or born in captivity, and including any part, product, egg, or offspring thereof.

Do I have to declare my wildlife items that I harvested or acquired in Canada?

Yes. All wildlife must be declared at the time of importation or exportation. A Declaration for the Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife (form 3-177) must be completed by the importer or exporter of record which accurately reflects all wildlife being imported or exported. In the absence of a United States Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) Wildlife Inspector, Customs and Border Protection Officers will collect the Declaration along with other required documents, which may include but aren’t limited to permits, bills of lading, receipts, and licenses. (NOTE: Some exemptions apply for the exportation of wildlife and you should check with your local FWS office.)

Do I need an Import-Export License to import or export wildlife commercially?

Yes. Generally anyone engaging in business as an importer or exporter of wildlife must obtain an Import/Export License from the FWS prior to the time of import or export.

Yes. If you are a taxidermist or a guide/outfitter, who is importing wildlife to attend a Trade Show for the purpose of soliciting sales for your business, you will need an Import/Export License.

No. If you are a taxidermist or a guide/outfitter, who is importing wildlife items destined to your clients, you do not require an Import/Export License.

No. If you do not plan on selling, bartering, or trading the wildlife, and the wildlife is intended for your personal use, you do not need an Import/Export License.

Do I have to pay inspection fees to import or export wildlife?

Yes.[/b] Once licensed by the FWS, you must pay user fees for each commercial shipment that you import or export. These fees differ based on the Port of Entry used and the wildlife being imported or exported.

Yes. If you are a taxidermist or guide/outfitter and are importing CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) wildlife (i.e., black bear, wolf, etc…) to your clients, a noncommercial cargo fee will be charged to each shipment.

Yes. Fees apply to all of your tourist souvenirs that contain CITES protected wildlife, if they are imported in your absence. Even in your absence, you are responsible for the import of your tourist souvenir, and are required to obtain a Designated Port Exception Permit from the FWS, which designates the Border Port your souvenir will enter. Lastly, you are required to notify a Wildlife Inspector at the Port your CITES protected wildlife will enter at least 72 hours prior to the wildlife shipments arrival.

No. If you are a taxidermist or a guide/outfitter and are importing non-CITES wildlife (i.e., deer, elk, moose, etc…) to your United States clients, no fees are required. The United States client is the importer of record.

No. There are no FWS fees for importing your personal sport-taken wildlife, provided you accompany your sport-taken wildlife.

Do I need to have my original hunting license to import my own sport-taken game animal?

Yes. You are required to possess your original hunting license in order to import your own game animal. Additionally, you should check with the Province you’re hunting in to determine if a Provincial Export Permit is required. (NOTE: Some Canadian Provinces authorize the export of sport-taken game animals with the authorized game tags issued for the game animal.)

What is required to import game animals into the United States that do not belong to me?

Most provinces require you to possess a Provincial Export Permit if you are importing any wildlife that does not belong to you. If you are importing CITES protected wildlife for another person, you are also required to have a Canadian CITES Export Permit. Fees may be applicable and you are responsible to check with the proper authorities in Canada and the FWS prior to importing the wildlife.

What is CITES?

CITES is a global agreement through which some 175 countries work together to protect animals and plants to ensure their continued survival in the wild. CITES controls trade in listed species, including their parts, and products, through a permit system. The most common Canadian CITES protected species are the black bear, grizzly bear, polar bear, wolf, lynx, bobcat, seal, and walrus.

Are there any other federal laws that may exist for the import of wildlife or items I purchase as a tourist souvenir?

Yes.
· The Endangered Species Act prohibits the importation of any endangered or threatened wildlife which includes but isn’t limited to polar bear and whale.
· The Marine Mammal Act prohibits the importation of any marine mammals which includes seal, walrus, or whale.
· The Migratory Bird Treaty Act has certain restrictions for the importation of migratory birds, and
· The Lacey Act prohibits the import of wildlife taken, possessed, transported, or sold in violation of Canadian Federal or Provincial law.


Do CITES Permit requirements apply to the import of my own raw sport-taken black bear?

No. As long as you are importing your sport-taken black bear in the raw form, it is exempt from the Canadian CITES Export Permit requirement. The paws and claws of your sport-taken black bear must remain attached to your hide to qualify for this exemption.

What if I remove the paws and claws from my raw sport-taken black bear?

If the paws or claws have been separated from your sport-taken black bear hide, you must have a Canadian CITES Export Permit in order to import the detached parts. However, the remainder of the raw black bear (hide, meat, skull, and baculum) can be released, without the Canadian CITES Export Permit.

Can I import the gall bladder of my sport-hunted black bear?

No. The import or export of black bear gall bladders is prohibited. The gall bladder must remain with the animal’s entrails at the kill site.

Do CITES Permit requirements apply to the import of my own mounted black bear that I harvested the previous year?

Yes. Any sport-taken processed bear hide, rug, or mount must be accompanied by a Canadian CITES Export Permit. Additionally the province you harvested the bear in may also require a Provincial Export Permit.

Do CITES Permit requirements apply to the import of raw sport-taken black bear belonging to another?

Yes. In order to import a raw, sport-taken black bear belonging to another person, you are required to possess a Canadian CITES Export Permit for the other person’s black bear. Fees may be applicable if you are a Canadian taxidermist or guide/outfitter, who is importing black bears for your clients.

Once I have the proper CITES Export Permit, are there any other requirements before I depart Canada?

All Canadian CITES Export Permits must be validated (by stamp) by Canadian authorities (typically Canada Customs), before the CITES wildlife may be exported from Canada to the United States.

Do I need a Canadian CITES Export Permit for my sport-taken wolf?

Yes. A sport-taken wolf requires a Canadian CITES Export Permit.

Do CITES permit requirements apply to the import of wildlife (i.e., wolf, bear, lynx, bobcat, river otter, or cougar) purchased as a tourist souvenir?

No. There is a Canadian CITES Export Permit exemption for processed CITES Appendix II protected wildlife, which has been purchased as a tourist souvenir and accompanies the importer (buyer). However, you are still required to possess the required Provincial Export Permit and a sales receipt, which documents the wildlife was purchased as a tourist souvenir. (NOTE: Any raw specimens purchased as a tourist souvenir still require CITES Permits.)

Is there any other CITES exemptions for other species of sport-taken game wildlife?

Yes. Sport-taken black bear and sandhill crane are the only exempted CITES protected species that do not require a Canadian CITES Export Permit to be exported from Canada, provided the black bear or sandhill crane are in the raw form and imported by the person who harvested the animal.

For more information regarding this Guideline, please contact the following:

Wildlife Inspector Scott Peltier (701) 263-4462
WI Chad Hornbaker (701) 825-6366
WI Irene Jorata (406) 335-4350
WI Tracy Ellis (303) 342-7430

Or visit the FWS Web site at www.fws.gov[/list]