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,
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Apologies for cross-posting!
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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
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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.
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Thanks for your assistance!
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Cheers,
Nicole Michel
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**
Nicole Michel
Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
310 Dinwiddie Hall
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
**
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