Travelling from Europe to Canada with tarantulas

[dragonofdark]

Hi !

I currently have 2 tarantulas and I'll probably have 2 more next month. I'm planning to move from Belgium to Canada in 2-3 years and I want to take my babies with me. So, I'm wondering about taking them in airplane... I've searched the forum and the web about some information on this but I haven't found any similar case to have a clear answer.

Here what I collected from my search :

- Canada doesn't ask about any permit or import duty when we want to enter the country with tarantulas. We just need to declare them like any other good. => Is that true ? Is there anything I have to know about this part ?

- The most secure way to travel in an airplane with tarantulas is to pack them as I got them through postage from merchant (tarantula in a box of its size and paper towel - styrofoam box to keep them warm - AND A LOT OF ADHESIVE), and put them in checked baggage. => My worry here is how the baggage is processed by company from start to end. I never traveled by airplane so I don't know how that works, I mean, if the checked baggages are verified by inspectors, if they go through X-Ray, the temps of cargo compartment, etc.

- Declaring them to the air company is a no-no, they will never accept them, and if by chance they accept, they ask for a 400$ fee (for a cat at least).

What do you think about this ? How would you do it ? I'm looking forward for your answers.

Thanks !

 

[KezyGLA]

I dont think this would be possible. Legally anyway.

I think best to leave the hobby before you go (while you are not too deep in it) then start over when living in Canada (if permanent)

What was the source of the information you have provided?

 

[dragonofdark]

Thank you for your reply.

The part talking about the transport itself is a result of a comparison done by searching on this forum. To me it seems to be the best way of transport (with overnight shipping - dhl or something like that).

The part about tarantula importation is from a canadian news website (radio-canada.ca) where they talked about the "recent" incident with tarantulas escaping in the passenger cabin. Here is the part I traducted for you :

"After verification, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency does not impose a license to import spiders of this size. Passengers have every right to bring them back alive. However, they are required to declare them upon arrival, just like any other product. Some companies require to be advised of this type of transport, which must be compulsory in the hold. No information was found on the Air Transat website."

http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle...gales-spider-plane-flight-punta-cana-montreal - last paragraph.

 

[keks]

I would ask the Canadian Embassy what you can do. But I think, in 2 or 3 years things could change. The second thing is: What happens when you maybe go back to Belgium again? I would ask for the Belgium import-laws too. But there is the same: In some years can change many things and laws ....

 

[WeightedAbyss75]

Going on today's laws, I would say your best bet would be to secure your address and send your T's through international mail instead of floght. Given, I have no idea about Canada's import laws, but it would be a much safer option than having them fly in cargo. Honestly, you may not want to expand your collection any more until Canada. I have moving 3 hours away in a month, and that coupled with my decently-sized collection is stressful enough. Global transport? There probably won't be a good and/or legal way to do that

 

[beaker41]

There is certainly a legal way to import t's but at least in the US it requires a costly license, importing only to a major port of call, inspections, additional permits and fees, etc. it's basically not worth it unless you're bringing in a whole boatload. I'd just buy new ones after you get to Canada personally, there are good dealers there too.

 

[dragonofdark]

Thank you all for your replies. I will wait before buying my H. Masculata and I gonna rethink about all of this when my relocation project will be on track.