Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I live on the Canadian US border. I don't know of any reptile shows anywhere near me. I could fly to a reptile show in the US but I think security would go nuts if I was carrying back snakes I bought at a show. I recently went to Costa Rica and was subjected to body and backpack searches in US and Costa Rica. The TSA people at Atlanta looked like welfare rollees forced to work. Sullen and nasty, not to be trusted. Anyone have experience bringing reptiles on airplanes.

Everyone I have heard of who tried to sneak a reptile onto an airplane (those who got caught anyway) resulted in the confiscation of the animal. Not to mention the potential fines, etc.

It is better to see if a breeder can ship legally to Canada rather than take any reptile on an airplane. And I know that there are snake breeders in Canada. Your post seems like a setup.

What are you talking about? What setup? I live in Minnesota. I asked a good question.

It is illegal to take a snake on most airlines in any way other than declared and shipped as a live reptile.
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Chris Harrison
San Antonio, Texas

I saw a large number of snakes, dart frogs, and geckos in Costa Rica that I certainly liked. What was really cool were baby American crocodiles. But people there cautioned about trying to bring any back. I had a bottle of aspirin in my pocket which the Costa Rica customs became upset about. I told them to keep it. I had two snake tongs which they ignored. I was not sure about domestic flights. FedEx shipping is way too much. It would be dumb to go to a distant reptile show and not be able to bring animals back. I am going to Panama soon to explore.

You can afford to go to Panama but cannot afford to pay to have a snake shipped? Where in MN are you?

Moving animals across borders without permits is a big no no... Many counties regulate the trade of animals. You also have to deal with CITES (click HERE for a list of the boids on CITES).
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

Hi Chris I was talking to you at a recent meeting of the Mn Herp Society about buying a snake from you. I have three homes I move to at differing times of the year.

Also, the American Croc is a federally listed species in the US so you could not keep it in the US without a permit from US Fish & Wildlife Service . Violation of these laws is a felony in most cases...

-Chris
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Christopher E. Smith
Contact
Captive Bred Herps
Wildlife Research & Consulting Services, LLC

And he wonders why it sounds like a setup..

What does that mean?

I was being a tad rude. It was unnecessary, sorry. When I saw the American alligator in the post it got me going. I think you got good replies here regardless of my comment.

No problem. I was talking about American crocodiles I saw in Costa Rica which were extremely interesting to see. I don't keep any crocodiles or alligators. Don't want any.

I bet someone could make a great movie out of this.
Actually on second thought, probably not.

I'd stick with legal shipping to avoid fines. Not sure if carry one might be allowed. Good luck.

I carried live boas bought in Chicago on an airplane years ago when there were no problems with it.

Here's what's legal to bring into the USA: If it's CITES listed, it must be permitted and declared. If it's not CITES listed, it must be declared. You declare it with a form 3-177. Any reptiles brought into the USA via airlines must be part of the cargo, not in the passenger space. It will be inspected by Customs and FiSh and Wildlife. If ANYTHING is amiss, including proper packaging and labeling, your animals will probably be confiscated (you'll never get them back) and you might be fined.

So unless you're willing to go through all the hassles, you're just better off paying someone on our side of the border to produce that animal. Plus, it's better to pay a domestic breeder than to make headlines as an international animal smuggler.

The best way to transport exotic animals between countries is shipping them. You would have to make sure you have all the necessary paperwork (import / export permits). You will also have to make sure that any animal that you try to transport is not on a CITES list as well. This adds another layer of permits and would further complicate what you are trying to do. I would suggest looking for a show your interested in going to and seeing who is on the Vendor List. Then contact the vendors to see what their suggestions are. I am pretty sure what you want to do is doable, but I doubt you would simply be able to bring reptile on an International flight as carry ons.

Good luck.