Importing jumping spiders? (To Switzerland, if it matters.)

[hjalfi]

I live in Switzerland, and am looking to get a Phidippus spider of some description. (Nothing too exotic. A regius or audax.) However, I can't find any breeders in mainland Europe, and of course they're not native here. There are breeders in the UK, and I'm going to be visiting soon and so would be able to hand carry it back, but I've been unable to find anything about the regulations in shipping jumping spiders between countries. Does anyone have any experience of this who might be able to advise?

 

[Nicole C G]

I live in Switzerland, and am looking to get a Phidippus spider of some description. (Nothing too exotic. A regius or audax.) However, I can't find any breeders in mainland Europe, and of course they're not native here. There are breeders in the UK, and I'm going to be visiting soon and so would be able to hand carry it back, but I've been unable to find anything about the regulations in shipping jumping spiders between countries. Does anyone have any experience of this who might be able to advise?

Maybe this will help:

Can I bring a jumping spider on a plane

So I am in Chicago right now and see a jumping spider I haven’t seen before. I was wondering if I could bring this spider on the plane with me to have as a pet?

arachnoboards.com

 

[hjalfi]

The tl;dr for that is that the airline's unlikely to care, but customs likely will unless I can show the right paperwork. I know that Phidippus aren't native to Europe, so said paperwork will probably be necessary. I would like to avoid smuggling it in if at all possible.

However, I have just thought to search for 'phidippus kaufen', which is actually showing up some results. Will report back.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I would like to avoid smuggling it in if at all possible.

It might be hoped that smuggling, rather than a last-ditch option, would be completely off the table. Risking local ecosystems, or risking increased legislation against those of us who keep exotic animals legally, seems excessive simply to scratch some animal-keeping itch. Responsible animal keepers don't violate wildlife laws, simply as a part of the definition of 'responsible'.

Also, discussion of illegal activities is prohibited here:

Unacceptable Language and Material

The primary purpose of Arachnoboards is to foster communication among arachnid lovers of all ages and backgrounds. As such, we would like to keep this site relatively "family friendly." Towards such an end, we have established a set of guidelines regarding what is acceptable and what is not...

arachnoboards.com

At any rate, these are probably the people who would have the answers you're looking for:

Bringing sensitive goods into Switzerland

Clearing customs in Switzerland can be difficult depending on the goods and animals you are bringing into the country. This page provides helpful information on border crossing procedures and entry into Switzerland.

www.ch.ch

 

[hjalfi]

I should clarify that that was irony --- I'm British. I am not seriously intending smuggling anything (apart from anything else I don't think putting it through the X-ray scanner would do it any good). Phidippus aren't native to Switzerland or anywhere in Europe, but I bet they'd do pretty well here, which does make them an import risk.

AFAICT, according to the linked document, Phidippus count as a non-protected invertebrate which aren't covered by any special conditions. It seems to claim that they don't need any documentation and I can just bring them. This seems... odd for the reason above, and I don't quite believe it.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

I should clarify that that was irony --- I'm British.

Ah. I'm American, which means not only do I not understand irony unless it is accompanied by a neon flashing sign that tells me to laugh or wink or grin or whatever, but I'm surrounded by 300 million people who think laws are merely weak suggestions and don't apply if a law inconveniences a person in any manner. I'd insert a winking emoji here, but that would suggest that I'm joking; here's a smile to indicate that everything is copacetic.

Yeah, it doesn't sound right that you can just bring an animal in. I'd be concerned that it would get hung up by some border inspector who knows even less about the situation than we do. Perhaps if you contact Swiss customs by email and get something in writing, that would help.

I don't know about your part of the world, but here in the US we have companies that handle these import/export logistics -- getting any paperwork in order, and equally importantly expediting the import procedure from the US to Canada, so the package doesn't sit in a warehouse for days or weeks (by making an appointment at customs and hand carrying the animals through, and then immediately getting them shipped to their final destination). Not sure how this is handled overseas, but it might be worth looking into. Dutch Dragon Imports is a business I hear recommended often for these things.

Sometimes bulk exports are made to the Terraristika Hamm shows -- it might be an option for you to get animals sent there and then hand carry them yourself back to Switzerland (I'm assuming trade between Switzerland and Germany is somewhat streamlined).

 

[tervis]

The site Insektenliebe has some for sale! I got my scorpion and roaches from them and it was a good experience, no hassle with the customs or anything (Germany -> Finland). However, if you have questions to the breeder they might be slow to answer, at least via the contact form on the site. I haven't tried contacting them through their socials yet.

 

[hjalfi]

Ah. I'm American, which means not only do I not understand irony unless it is accompanied by a neon flashing sign that tells me to laugh or wink or grin or whatever, but I'm surrounded by 300 million people who think laws are merely weak suggestions and don't apply if a law inconveniences a person in any manner. I'd insert a winking emoji here, but that would suggest that I'm joking; here's a smile to indicate that everything is copacetic.

Belatedly: no worries --- best to be clear. Even though English is such a clear and unambiguous language that's impossible to misinterpret; these qualities are what made the British Empire what it is today.

I have contacted the Swiss authorities, who replied remarkably promptly. The BLV, the Bundesamt für Lebensmittelsicherheit und Veterinärwesen (Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office) said they were no import conditions but I should contact the BLW, the Bundesamt für Landwirtschaft (Federal Office For Agriculture). They confirmed that I don't need any kind of authorisation from them. So unless there's someone else I don't know about, all I need to do is to arrange it with the airline and I should be good to go.

I'm honestly surprised. I'd have thought Phidippus spiders would do rather well in Europe and so would be an import risk. Maybe they don't survive the winters here.

Re Insektenliebe: ooh, thanks! I will check them out.

 

[Malum Argenteum]

Belatedly: no worries --- best to be clear. Even though English is such a clear and unambiguous language that's impossible to misinterpret; these qualities are what made the British Empire what it is today.