Does any one got plant import permit from Canada. I am visiting Japan in March and found out from a NARGS member that there is going to be a large alpine plant sale in Tokyo on 15th March.Please help me. I went to the site about getting the permit but confused.Do i have to get one permit for all plants bundled up as alpines or ornamentals or for each species or genus.I dont know what I am going to get till i go the venue
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Thanks Lori. As always you
Thanks Lori. As always you are very helpful. I found out how to apply for one. Luckily I am getting help from some friends who are with CFIA. Now I am trying to find out whether I can get phyto sanitoty cerificate from the vendor. I am informed that there will be a huge alpine and woodland plants show and sale in Ueno,Japan on March 13th. Since I am in Tokyo at this time I am definitely going to the show. But bringing some plants back is another matter.
Hope i can buy some plants for my garden.
Krish
I've never imported plants into Canada. From what I can tell, this seems to be the directive you need to wade through:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/imports/d-08-04/eng/1323752901318/1323753560467
It sounds like one needs: 1) an import permit, and 2) a phytosanitary certificate.
According to this, one is supposed to have applied for and received an import permit prior to the plants actually being transported to Canada. The application process and details are under D-97-04:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/directives/imports/d-97-04/eng/1323791055523/1323803716515
It doesn't appear that the process is really intended to allow one to import plants in one's luggage (which is what I presume would be the intent). Perhaps a phone call would be in order to find out if this is allowed at all (i rather suspect it is not) and how it would be done, if it is allowed.
If you were staying some length of time, perhaps it would be possible to purchase your plants, then apply for and get the permit? Under the "frequently asked questions", there is no indication of how long it takes to get a permit, unfortunately; there is only the advice to avoid the busy times:
http://www.inspection.gc.ca/plants/plant-protection/imports/questions-and-answers/eng/1343414402266/1343414628852
If you ordered the plants from the suppliers at the show you're going to attend, these would be the requirements for them to successfully ship the plants to Canada, and for you to them be able to pick them up at Customs.
Both the import permit and the phyto certificate are supposed to list each plant by scientific name, to at least the genus level. "Certain plants for planting must be identified to species or even to cultivar (e.g. Berberis spp., plants regulated by the Convention on International Trade or Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). The list of plants on the Phytosanitary Certificate should match the packing list for the imported material."