Hi,
Just incase anyone else ever has to go through this I though I would share a summary of the information the US fish and wildlife service sent me with regard to importing/exporting pet RES.
To import:
- You need to complete Form 3-177, Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife:
https://edecs.fws.gov/- You need this form with you when you get to the boarder.
- You need import your RES at a designated port, These are the listed at the following address:
http://www.fws.gov/le/designated-ports.html OR at any of the border ports listed in paragraph (a) at the following link:
http://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SI ... 6&rgn=div8 -You need to notify the wildlife inspectors at the port where you will be importing your RES 48 hours in advance to coordinate your turtles clearance into the United States (I guess so someone can be there to inspect the turtle - maybe it is best to arrange to arrive within business hours). Contact information for the wildlife inspectors :
http://www.fws.gov/le/inspection-offices.html - There may be fees associated with the inspection if the RES is not traveling with you (~$93). **If the turtle is traveling with you please make sure it traveling in the cabin with you -even then their ears (the tympanic membrane) can get slightly sunken in. You can correct for this by blowing GENTLY into the nose.... if you can get your turtles head out that is..) **
I HIGHLY suggest anyone needing to import OR export pet RES to contact the US fish and wildlife service. They have all the information on the forms you need to either enter or leave the US with your pet LEGALLY and they sent me a very detailed email.
I have yet to hear back from the Canadian customs on export/import of RES but from what I have read about animal bylaws in Canada, only turtles being sold are confiscated. It is legal to keep a pet turtle but not to sell. Many people try to get around this by "selling a tank" that comes with a free RES- but those turtles are also confiscated if the authorities catch on to you as you are still receiving money for the turtle. There is usually information on what to do with abandoned RES in Canada available at most annual reptile shows or one of the vendors can tell you what to do. Options are pretty limited though, usually they end up being killed
Also, driving a RES across the boarder with out declaring it is illegal and you can be charged with animal trafficking - even if it is only one turtle. I will post again once I hear back from the Canadian side of things.