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Sorry to double post but this is an update. If any of you could assist please do so! THANKS A LOT.

Here's an example of the situation that I would be trying to accomplish:

I am travelling to Latin America and would love to accquire a boa or two or so. Pending legality to export how would I get them in to the US legally. I'm not trying to break laws and want to know if it is possible.

I know that Boidae spp. (Except the species included in Appendix I) are listed under Appendix II of CITES and that Boa constrictor occidentalis (Argentine) is Completely restricted from all trade.

Do I need a CITES certificate/registration? If yes can they be attained?

Do I also need to register w/ the US Wildlife and Fisheries?

I currently live in New Orleans, LA and the location in LA is going to be withheld as it may leave a lot to be desired.

Thanks.
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-Iman

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You just need to contact your Fish and Game department and start getting answers. As far as I can tell you, and it may be flawed as I'm not an importer...you don't need CITES permits for App. II animals. You don't need an import license unless your getting more than, I think, 6 animals. Fish and Game does have web sites which list rules governing importation, you can go there and read the laws, and even print out applications for needed permits. You'll probably have to arrange for inspections upon the animals entering the country as well. All in all, for the trouble and expense, you'd be better off enjoying the boas in their native region(s), and coming back home and buying captive born and bred specimens from breeders that work specifically with the locale your interested in obtaining. Gus Rentfro(sp?) of Rio Bravo would be an excellent place to start for some of the harder to find BCI locales. Best of luck to you whatever you decide to do. Take care,

Paul

Thanks for the info.

I have reveiwed information from the US Fisheries and Wildlife, USDA, CITES, US Customs Service, National Center for Imports and Exports, APHIS, IATA, UNEP-WCMC, and the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Dept.

Here is my current understanding:

Boa Constrictor Constrictors and Imperators can be imported, but must be inspected by USDA through one of their ports, New Orleans happens to be included on that list. If for business purposes, a permit must be issued from US Fisheries and Wildlife. I'm not sure where the line is drawn between Personal/Business when it comes to the number of animals imported.

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I'd really appreciate a general run-down of what anyone has gone through to import a Boa before (Commercial or Private).
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Depending on the ease and the restrictions of where I visit, I may bring in one or two for myself or a quite a few to increase the availability of the locale.

Not really interested in profits, just covering my costs to bring them in this once.

(Don't ask me where I'm going because I won't say. Don't want to get people's hopes up and don't want to start any kind of unnecessary comotion)

Thanks for the assistance. I really do appreciate it!
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-Iman

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If you are going to latin america you will need to export the animals to US which includes a cites permit also check their government on how to obtain this. Then in the US you will be importing these snakes so you will need an import license, a designated port and also a broker for all the paperwork. Hope this helps
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www.BallPython.Us

Have you done this before or are you making assumptions?

Only ARGENTINE boas require CITES permits.

Thanks.
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-Iman

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dfd

http://www.le.fws.gov/pdffiles/CommIEhc.pdf

You email or call me. I was importing from Canada, and the process takes about 45-60 days. The paperwork SUCKS!!
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Greg
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Np.
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-Iman

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1. The U.S. cannot issue CITIES for animals not in our country.
2. The country your going to has to issue CITIES for the boas.
3. Many countries do not issue CITIES for wc boas. Most countries except GUYANA OR SURINAME require all boas to be farmed or captive bred and born.
4. If you do go to a country that allows you to catch WC to export there are quotas. Youll have to buy a piece of Someones quota as you cannot get CITIES without a quota from moost countries.
5. USDA has nothing to do with importing reptiles.
6. The only people interested in whats int eh boxes are Fish and Wildlife and Customs.
7. Youll need a broker to broker your shipment as you are surely going to mess up the paperwork as it is lengthy and you have to run back and forth between the airline, customs, and fish and wildlife.
8. You need to reserve a spot on the plain for your "cargo" it doesnt go as luggage. They do not have ltos of spaces avaiable and it could take one day or several months before you can send them out.
9. Dont forget that the country you get them from will inspect boxes too, usually the guys there will hold your shipment and ask for money if you want it released.
10. It is not as easy as you think. Many people have done and many hundreds more have not been able to.
Its a lenghty process that needs MONTHS in planning to do it right and accurate.
11. Dont forget it can only land in a designated port of entry. Whis is but not limited to Chicago, Miami, LA, New York, Dallas or Fort Worth, and a few more.
It can not land in any other airport besides those fish and wildlife desigante as designated ports of entry.
12. You will have to get a import/export license from FISH AND WILDLIFE. It is 50.00 bucks and expires after a year.
13. Good luck....
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"Quality isn't Quality without customer service so I guess I sell quality"

Thanks again...

Considering I have a carrier designated and live in an accepted port of entry in the US, is the process the same to bring even a small number of animals (2-4) in for recreational purposes?

I have a residence both here and there and I'm wandering if they can be claimed as pets.

Also, I know that BCC are listed under Apendix II of Cites, which just means they're listed but not threatened. I have been unable to find from anywhere if BCC Imports require CITES permits.

I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS GUYS... HUGE HELP.
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-Iman

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So you go on vacation and want to bring your pet boa with you on the way back? Common, man, do you think it is that easy?

All boas that cross borders need CITES paperwork (it's like their passport, or can you travel around the world without a valid passport??!!), if it's your one pet boa or 1000's of them for comercial purpose. You might not need an import/export licens per say if it is only your pet, but you need to do all the CITES paperwork and health certificates etc.

All this papers must be issued in the country of origin, i.e. the mysterious latin american country your are planing on visiting. Once you have the CITES paperwork and all the other papers done in that country, you give that Fish & Wildlife so they can issue you the import permit for those animals. Then you only need to ship them via air cargo to a designated port in the US and you are done.

What you need to do is to contact the embassy of that country and ask them how the hell you, as a tourist, can bring your pet boa with you on your visit, jajaja, GOOOOOOD LUCK!!!! In many latin american countries it is even illegal to have boas as pets (unless you have them registered with the Ministerium of Agriculture or similar, and that is a whole different process), so you'll run out of luck pretty quickly, anyway, good luck!

>>Thanks again...
>>
>>Considering I have a carrier designated and live in an accepted port of entry in the US, is the process the same to bring even a small number of animals (2-4) in for recreational purposes?
>>
>>I have a residence both here and there and I'm wandering if they can be claimed as pets.
>>
>>Also, I know that BCC are listed under Apendix II of Cites, which just means they're listed but not threatened. I have been unable to find from anywhere if BCC Imports require CITES permits.
>>
>>I REALLY APPRECIATE THIS GUYS... HUGE HELP.
>>-----
>>-Iman
>>
>>1.1 Balls
>>0.1 Boa (BCI)
>>0.0 Experience
>>100.0 LOVE
>>
>>Helping to Love
>>Loving to Learn
>>Learning to Help

You missunderstood me

I have a residence both here (US) and abroad. I have friends abroad breeding boas. I wanted to bring one back.

Just checking to see if it is possible. I thought it would be easier to bring them in rather than pay the $1000 asking price I've seen in the US.

That is all. I will see what I can do. Thanks again.
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-Iman

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