Dear List, I am sending this response to all in case the information is helpful in some way for others. It appears the biggest challenge in importing preserved specimens is with the airlines and their safety regulations regarding flammable material. The other challenge is the permitting system in Costa Rica.
Mo -----Original Message----- From: Jaronski, Stefan Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 5:17 PM To: O'Mara, Maureen Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods Hi Mo, Am copying you on my consultant's response to Michel. Ugly ugly -----Original Message----- From: Furth, David [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 4:54 PM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: Jaronski, Stefan Subject: RE: Importing preserved arthropods First of all for Costa Rica you need to have official Collecting and Export permits (separate permits) from their government in order to bring the specimens legally into the USA. Within 180 days you must file a 3-177 Declaration with the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at your port of entry. According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations you cannot bring 70% ethanol on board airplanes. The best thing to do is to drain off the ethanol just before returning and use some other non-hazardous/non-dangerous fluid like propylene glycol (OK for DNA work), glycerin, etc. The other option is to have them shipped in ethanol by a trained/qualified person at an institution using proper packaging, sealing the separate containers (not over 30ml each), and not over 0.5 liters per package, properly labeled with a red/white Dangerous Goods label, etc., i.e., also following IATA regulations. APHIS permitting is primarily for importation of live specimens. When you enter the USA the US Customs Declaration will ask about products you are importing and you should check the box that says "..... wildlife products." Then CBP (US Customs) may divert you to USDA/APHIS/Homeland Security for further questions and inspection. Someone may also ask you for copies of your permits and even the 3-177 Declaration, even though you really do not have to file it then, so get one on line from http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm I hope this answers your questions. Feel free to send this to the ESA listserve, if you think it will be helpful. ****************************************************** David G. Furth, Ph.D. Department of Entomology MRC 165, P.O. Box 37012 National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution Washington, D. C. 20013-7012 USA Phone: 202-633-0990 Fax: 202-786-2894 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Website: www.entomology.si.edu -----Original Message----- From: Jaronski, Stefan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 4:50 PM To: Furth, David Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods David, One of our folks just got this in. I thought you might be able to quickly and accurately answer Michel's question Stefan -----Original Message----- From: O'Mara, Maureen Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 2:46 PM To: Jaronski, Stefan Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods Hi Stefan, This came across Ecological Soc. Of A. listserve. Thought you might know the answer to this since you deal with APHIS so much! Maybe even a suggestion on who or what department to contact? Mo -----Original Message----- From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michel, Nicole L Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 2:30 PM To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU Subject: Importing preserved arthropods Hi ECOLOG'ers and NEOORN'ers, =20 Apologies for cross-posting! =20 I have a question regarding USDA-APHIS import permit requirements. I will be collecting leaf-litter arthropods (spiders, beetles, ants, millipedes, etc.) in Costa Rica and need to bring preserved (in 70% ethanol) specimens back to the States. I've checked the USDA's website and have contacted numerous people in numerous offices and still haven't yet been able to determine whether or not arthropods count as an "animal" under their definitions. =20 =20 Does anyone out there have experience with bringing preserved arthropods back from Central America? I also have heard that there are strict restrictions on the amounts of ethanol in checked bags, but haven't yet been able to find out what those restrictions are. =20 Thanks for your assistance! =20 Cheers, Nicole Michel =20 =20 =20 ************************************************** Nicole Michel Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology 310 Dinwiddie Hall Tulane University New Orleans, LA 70118 ************************************************** =20
