Quarantine?

[JenHarrison]

I have no idea if I should have posted this elsewhere, I thought the vet would have the best answer. If it belongs somewhere else, please move it.

I found someone with a female albino ball in London, and am buying it and having it shipping here to me in Wisconsin. When this snake arrives in the U.S., will it have to go through customs or quarantine of any sort before it gets to me? How do I get it if it does? Thanks. 8)

[alexhue]

Hello Jen ,
Welcome to the Forums...

I've been kinda keeping up with the posts you've made here and over at Fauna...please dont take this the wrong way...but kiss your money goodbye.

Lets say this guy in London is in fact selling you a Albino Ball Python for 180.00 or whatever it may be....well, unless he's a licensed importer/exporter in the UK and you're a licensed importer/exporter here in the USA....you'll never receive the Ball Python.

Ball Pythons are a CITES listed animal...they must be accompanied by a CITES permit before they can be shipped...a CITES certificate can only be obtained by licensed importers and exporters.

[JenHarrison]

Ok then. :cry:

I think he probably is licensed over there because he had a reptile shop and it's closing (hence the reason he's needing a home for his albino). If he is licensed, what about having him send it to a breeder/store that is licensed over here?

[JenHarrison]

Here is what I found:
Do I need a permit to import or export my pet boa? All snakes in the Boidae family (boas, pythons) are listed in CITES Appendix I or II. Some are also listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Commonly held pets, such as the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) [excluding the Argentine boa (B. c. occidentalis) which is listed in Appendix I], ball python (Python regius), and reticulated python (P. reticulatus), are listed in Appendix II. Check the lists to determine how the boa you own is protected. (If the species name is not individually listed on the CITES list, the species is listed in Appendix II.)

To export an Appendix-II species from the United States, you need a CITES permit. Click here for an application form. Contact the foreign country to meet its requirements.
To import an Appendix-II or Appendix-I pet snake into the United States, you need a CITES permit issued by the exporting country.
To import a snake listed in Appendix I you may also need a permit from us unless the foreign country has issued a CITES bred-in-captivity certificate. To import a snake listed under the ESA, you need a permit from us. Click here for an application form.
You must import or export your pet boa through a designated port unless you have received a port exception permit. You must notify the FWS wildlife inspection office at the port of entry or exit at least 48 hours in advance, present our declaration form to the wildlife inspectors, and receive clearance from us prior to export or at the time of import. We will validate any U.S. CITES permits during this clearance process.

I looked it up, and ball pythons are Appendix II animals. So basically I need a CITES permit issued by the exporting country (England). I also need to arrange for it to arrive at a designated port, or obtain a port exception permit. Does all this sound correct?

[RTBoas]

Interesting...