Documents need for importation

[Jamit]

Hello.
I am looking into importing some fish into Bc, Canada for personal collection.
What sort of documents do I need before the shipment is in port?
I have been to the AIRS site, the species that I bring in are not listed as prohibited. So, it is OK.

Any advice or tips?

[Nicklfire]

dont you just have to pay taxes.. and your done?

This might help too:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency - Importation of Pet Aquatic Animals

[April]

Depending how many and for what purpose you will be asked if you have a business's number. Personal use only there's a limit your allowed.

[tony1928]

I've done it many many times, by car, and I know that officially you should be doing a pile of paper work to "import" the fish. So, this is just my own practical experience. I usually just make sure my invoice has their scientific names and ensure that they are not CITES listed. Then when they ask you what you have to declare, tell them you got live fish. They usually ask how much and if its below their threshold, they just wave me through and I'm done. Occasionally I have bought more stuff than just fish and have to go in to pay taxes. The cashier in there just charges me HST and I'm done. Again, my own experience and your mileage may vary as people say.

[Jamit]

So, how much is too much? What is their limit on personal use?

[discuspaul]

If you're bringing them in by car from the U.S. - the customs & immigration people seem to be able to use their discretion, depending on how much HST $ are involved on your purchase. I've been waived right through several times with under & up to $100, and $150 on one occasion, but had to stop in & pay the HST when my declaration once was for $300. (for discus). Make sure you have a proper receipt describing the fish, and stating that they are farm raised (not wild caught), and they're for personal /hobby use.
If you're flying them in, or UPS or Fedex, that's another matter, particularly if they're from outside the U.S. (e.g. Europe or Asia ). I believe there will be paperwork involved and a customs clearance, usually by a broker if I'm not mistaken. April will know the answers in that situation.

[tony1928]

Yup, as Emile said, its really up to the discretion of the border agent as to how much you can bring back tax free.

I've ordered fish before (via livefishdirect.com) they shipped it to me using fedex priority overnight. The fee was reasonable tho the packing could have been better. No duties, no tax. The guy just gave me the box and that was that. I usually don't like to ship fish from the states due to the customs hassles, especially if its shipped airport to airport.

[Jamit]

They are coming from Taiwan. It is being shipped airport to airport.

[Jamit]

Do we need any health certificate for the shipment?

[discuspaul]

Not to my knowledge.