Posted by Frank z6ON on 5/6/2008, 8:45 pm, in reply to "Orders from US"
72.39.187.125
I'll drop you an e-mail Paul. Next time I'm ordering something I'd be happy to pick up for you as well.
Sadly, I ran out of some luck on the CFIA houseplant exemption -- had a run in today picking up a leftover bit on order (Ferocactus). I always check CITES before ordering but missed something kinda critical. I saw the list of CITES Appendix I cacti and thought I was in the clear. Unfortunately for me the family Cactaceae is in Appendix II -- requiring an export permit (which you probably know) -- and easily overlooked with no genera or species listed...oops.
So today I got caught up in this because the CFIA agent didn't want to let them in because, and I quote:
"Do you have a house in the U.S.?"
"No", I replied.
"Then what makes you claim that these are houseplants?"
Well, the challenge to that got me past the phyto request but then the customs agents made another call to CITES.
In the end I got sent back to the US to dispose of my plants -- left them with customs. They were nice about it at least and allowed me to leave them in the USA without much of a hiccup. Then got a special second check on my return to Canada. Done with Cacti for now.
So, I did fine with the phyto part but screwed up with the CITES kinda big. But, to vent if I may, I still think it's lame that obviously seed grown specimens from a real nursery make it to Appendix II where there are no seed controls.
Oh well. Learned my lesson 
. Will be back for other plants though!
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