Canada is a country that prohibits the importation of endangered species, foods, plants, and animals into the country. Importers of Record (IOR) are legally responsible for the plant’s importation into Canada, and they must ensure they have all necessary documents and permits for imports. To avoid potential risks, travelers can bring up to 50 houseplants from the USA to Canada at a time. If importing houseplants from the continental United States as part of baggage or household effects, phytosanitary certificates or import permits are not required.
Canada allows houseplants from the mainland United States, but proof of origin may be required at the border. The Canadian government has a personal exemption for driving into Canada with plants, allowing up to 50 houseplants without paperwork as long as they are for scientific research, education, or exhibition purposes.
All food, plant, and animal products must be declared before arriving in Canada. A permit to import is required for all plants entering Canada from areas other than the continental U.S., and for some plants, a phytosanitary certificate is required. Plants without dirt are fine, but plants without dirt are not legal.
When importing plants from foreign countries, ensure they meet entry requirements as stated by Customs and Border Protection. Household plants and dirt generally can enter Canada temporarily, but outdoor plants or firewood cannot enter Canada under any circumstances. Various food, plant, and animal products are restricted or prohibited entry due to their potential harboring of invasive species, foreign animal diseases, and plant pests.
Permits to import plants and plant products regulated under the Plant Protection Act can be requested through the Agency’s online service portal, My CFIA.
📹 How to Import Plants to Canada
In this video, I will give you instructions on how to import plants to Canada. I import from Thailand and I have used the same …
Can you bring houseplants through customs?
Travelers are allowed to wrap plants in damp newspaper to prevent drying and secure roots in plastic bags. To bring 13 or more plants, they must obtain an import permit from APHIS and mail or ship them to the nearest USDA Plant Inspection Station. Hand-carrying is not allowed. All costs for moving or treating plants will be the importer’s responsibility. Seeds from trees and shrubs are prohibited in passenger baggage.
Can I bring flowers from the US to Canada?
The Canadian Import Reference System has verified that fresh-cut flowers from the United States of America are eligible for importation into Canada.
What do I have to declare at Canada Customs?
The general rule is to declare what a customs official is interested in: taxable goods (what will remain in Canada) and goods that require a license or are not allowed. A basic declaration is “I have no goods (or X amount of goods that will remain or are not allowed in Canada”. In most countries, everything that comes into the country should be declared, as imports are taxable and may be subject to other conditions and limitations. Personal items, such as clothes and other items brought in and returned, are usually exempt for returning residents. This is not specific to Canada.
Can you bring orchids from the USA to Canada?
CITES Appendix I permits import of artificially propagated Appendix I species, seeds, pollen, pollinia, and cut flowers into Canada. Hobbyists can import plants for free, but must complete an application form. Appendix I includes all Paphiopedilum and Phragmipedium species, Cattleya trianaei, Dendrobium cruentum, Laelia jongheana, Laelia lobata, Peristeria elata, Renanthera imschootiana, and Vanda coerulea.
Can you travel with plants within Canada?
It should be noted that while plants and flowers are permitted within Canada, different regulations apply when departing or returning from the country. Further information can be found on the Canadian Border Services Agency website.
Can I travel with an orchid?
In order to facilitate the transportation of an orchid, it is recommended that the plant be placed in a receptacle of sufficient size, such as a large box, a foam fruit box, or a cooler. The receptacle should then be secured with foam blocks. The orchid should then be wrapped in newsprint and secured with foam blocks. The box should be placed in a horizontal position and sealed with tape for the purposes of facilitating the mailing process.
It is inadvisable to transport an orchid in the vehicle boot; instead, the box should be secured to a seat. Such measures will ensure the orchid is safeguarded from the impact of sudden stops, accelerations, and road irregularities.
What can deny you entry into Canada?
Canadian immigration officers determine if a person can enter Canada through visa applications, Electronic Travel Authorizations (eTA), or arrival at a port of entry. Inadmissibility can result from security reasons, human or international rights violations, or committing a crime, such as driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. If found inadmissible, the individual may be denied a visa, refused entry, or removed from Canada.
Can I travel with house plant?
Houseplants are generally allowed in carry-on or checked bags as long as they comply with baggage rules. However, when bringing plants on a plane, they should be unpacked for inspection and sent through x-rays along with other items. To avoid soil spillage, wrap the plant in a plastic bag or keep it “bare root” to avoid soil contamination. To remove excess soil, gently rinse the roots in lukewarm water, swaddle them in damp moss or paper towels, and repot them upon arrival.
International trips can be more challenging due to strict rules set by national agricultural departments. It is crucial to respect these rules as even one invasive plant or insect can have a lasting impact on ecosystems and agricultural economies.
Can you put live plants in checked luggage?
Carry-on and checked baggage are two common methods for transporting plants during flights. Carry-on bags allow for easy monitoring of the plant’s condition, while checked baggage can be used if the plant is too large for carry-on. To ensure the plant is safe, water it a day before travel to prevent leaks. Pack the plant securely with a plastic bag to keep the soil intact, and place it in a strong box filled with wrapping paper or bubble wrap.
During the flight, remove the plant from its packaging for inspection at the security checkpoint. This ensures the plant is safe and secure during the flight. Remember to use a secure, spill-proof container to prevent soil spills.
What are you not allowed to bring into Canada from the US?
Canada requires the declaration of firearms, firearms, food, plants, animals, and related products at the CBSA port of entry when entering Canada. Food, plants, animals, and related products must be declared as they can carry diseases like E. coli. Proper identification is required for both individuals and children traveling with them. Visitors from or transiting through the United States should visit the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website for information on entering, transiting through, or returning to the country.
U. S. citizens and permanent residents must carry proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, U. S. Permanent Resident Card, or Certificate of Indian Status, along with photo identification.
What cannot be brought into Canada?
Canada requires the declaration of firearms, firearms, food, plants, animals, and related products at the CBSA port of entry when entering Canada. Food, plants, animals, and related products must be declared as they can carry diseases like E. coli. Proper identification is required for both individuals and children traveling with them. Visitors from or transiting through the United States should visit the U. S. Customs and Border Protection website for information on entering, transiting through, or returning to the country.
U. S. citizens and permanent residents must carry proof of citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, certificate of citizenship or naturalization, U. S. Permanent Resident Card, or Certificate of Indian Status, along with photo identification.
📹 Applying For A Plant Import Permit (Canada)
Have you found a rare plant that you wanted to buy but it was overpriced locally? One option is to import your own plants from …
Thanks for the information you shared. I want to order some plants from the US and would like to know about the tax. What percentage of the price will I need to pay? Does it depend on the province, and will it be different for each one? For example, in Quebec, it’s 15%. The nursery told me that Canadian customs will contact me for any additional payment. I found that I don’t need to fill out any forms for permission to import from the US. Thank you again for informative content.
Thank you so much for this detailed information. I’ve been looking for the import procedure in Canada since the day I was born…LOL. I have questions though, why Thailand and Indonesia? Is it cheaper there? Is the price in usd or cad? Do you pay tax on them? If so, when? Also do you still need a permit for continental US? I apologize for bugging you so much. Thanks again. Happy growing. 🙂
Hello! This is a very helpful article. Thank you!! I have placed an order with them and glad i applied for the permit. Applied on a saturday and got the permit on a Tuesday. Pretty quick! My question is, how many plants can you import or whats the most number of plants have you imported in one order? TIA
great article. I just have some questions if you don’t mind. For the section where you put the plants you were purchasing, do you have to put every single plant you buy, or do you just have to out ‘hoyas’ just like in your example? For instance, if you bought 3 hoya linearis and 2 hoya lisa, would you need to add each of them individually on the list, or just saying hoya linearis and hoya lisa once, suffice? Or would leaving it at hoya, like in the article, be acceptable’? Sorry for the lengthy questions!
Hi! Thanks so much for this helpful article! I do have a question though…do you need to have one specific seller/and country in mind when you apply? Like if you wanted to try importing from different sellers in different countries you would need separate permits for each? For example: if I wanted to import plants from joes plant shop in Thailand, and Lucy’s leaves in Indonesia, would I need to two different permits?
Hello! I hope all is well. I am enjoying your website as there do not seem to be many in Canada. I am looking at making my first order and noticed many companies in Thailand talk about getting a broker to clear the shipment on arrival. I had thought that our postal service/customs clear the packages and then they go through regular mail. Could you please tell me if it was just through regular mail or if you had to get a broker to fill out additional paperwork on arrival to canada? Thank you!
Hi there! I came across this article and found it super helpful!! I live in Toronto and am really interested in ordering a variegated monstera but am very inexperienced with regards to importing plants. You mentioned that getting involved in local plants groups is a good way to save on shipping and such. If you also happen to live in Toronto can you recommend to me local plant groups such that I can get this monstera with less difficulty? Thanks!
Any updated info? They made the form: Application for permit to import plants and other things under the plant protection act. So much more difficult! The website is not clear and there’s no tutorial articles or help. They only answer emergencies. I’m very disappointed in the CFIA website. I know they’re busy and backlogged because of Covid 19 but a was just expecting more.from.a.government website!
Very informative thank you! How come the application end up downloading for me is permit to import live animals, when I select ‘5256 Application for Permit to Import Plants and Other Things under thee Plant Protection Act”? I tried several times and got same results. I wonder if other people have same experience?😩😫
Hi! Thanks for the helpful step by step. I applied for a permit with a seller from China. I just received an email from the CFIA that the plants are ‘ “Not Authorized Pending Pest Risk Analysis” (NAPPRA). A Pest Risk Analysis must be completed in order for the CFIA to determine whether the importation will be authorized and, if it is, to identify appropriate risk mitigation measures.’ It sounds like your permit got approved right away? Is it worth having a pest risk analysis done? Or is it better to forget about this order?
Not helpful, I don’t care about the company you are buying from, I thought that this article was about the process of applying for an import permit which you barely cover at all. You mention some fees but don’t even say how much it costs or how long is the delay before your permit is issued and can be used. Also, this is a critic of the system but it doesn’t make sense to me to write who I will be buying from before applying for the permit. I’m looking into the process of importing plants because I found one that I want to buy from a specific seller but I’ll probably be buying from another seller I don’t even know about yet next month. Do we really have to re-apply every time we buy from a different seller? This is just making things so complicated for nothing…
Very informative! Thank you so much. I’m in the process of ordering plants from Indonesia. I was so naive ordering and jumped in😂. Had no idea I had to get an import permit – definitely important to research. I see articles online and people seem to import easily. Darn Canada Lol. It’s more daunting than it looks I guess! I’ll keep you updated on the process!
I have noticed that your clip is posted 2 years ago. I hopefully you come by and answer my questions. I am wondering how you shipped your plans. Was it by Canada Post? How did you do customs clearance? You just did only import license and the plants were shipped to your home directory? Thanks in advance.
Thank you so much for this! Question: I know you said a permit lasts for around three years.. but let’s say you made one purchase from Thailand and you want to make another purchase, a year later from the same exporter.. Would you make a new permit or would you use the same one? …because what if I don’t know exactly which plants I will be wanting to buy in the future?
Glad you made this article! Please clear my doubts on “seeds” I’m a new seed seller on etsy and I have orders for “Curry leaf tree seeds” from India. What should I do now? Do I need a permit to send the parcel from India ? and how should I apply for it ? I do not run a business and am just a home gardener. please help!
so if I order from new life tropicals, fill out a form that states say a monstera Thai constellation and a gloriosum, but then the store doesn’t have the Thai constellation available by the time my application is approved; will I have to reapply or can I still move forward with the same form that originally got approved, just getting the one plant?