Bringing orchids to Canada from U.S.

[tylerumn]

Hello fellow members,

I'm moving to Canada in the next few days and would like to know what the customs rules are in importing orchids. I have been trying to contact my state ag. department and also the Canada border for information to no avail - they won't answer the phone.

A few more details. I have about 15 plants, some are duplicates, many are the same species and genus. I'll be crossing the Washington-B.C. border by car. Thanks for any advice.

[lambelkip]

The Canadian Orchid Congress has a page - Importing Orchids into Canada for Hobbyists. Check the section titled "Importations from the continental USA"

CFIA policy directive D-96-09 covering orchids appears to be under review, but you should be able to contact their horticulture specialist from that page.

[tylerumn]

Hey folks,

I wanted everyone to know that I've successfully imported all of my orchids into Vancouver Canada. The only question I got was from the customs officer was: "are they potted in soil?". Maybe I got really lucky but I feel the importation laws and steps are very ambiguous.

I hope other people can share their experience about bringing orchids to another country and post them here.

cheers

[stefpix]

it may be more of a headache to move them back to the USA! I assume you had no terrestrials?

good for you!

[silken]

Welcome to Canada! Glad to hear our officials didn't cause you any grief

[Andre]

I have brought many orchids in from outside canada to Vancouver. Not had a problem yet. But I think that I have just been lucky.