getting an animal into US from CA

[librarian]

I have an animal coming from Alberta into Paris, Ontario. I am about 250 miles from there. The crossing is at Niagra Falls and the health work will be have been done before he leaves Alberta. If I head up to Canada myself to get him, how much paperwork is involved and what is the best way to go about it?  I have a not great truck and no experience but the truckers are wanting an extra $1000 to broker the import and meet me on this side of the border. That sounds crazy. Getting stuck in Canada with out the right paperwork sounds crazy too so I need some advice.
Or, is that it legitimately costs?

 

[Lucky_P]

Protocol here:
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/downloads/pro_imp_cattle-bison_can.pdf

But!!! The Canadian veterinarian performing the export testing and filling out the appropriate forms is responsible for making certain that all t's are crossed and i's are dotted...  The document above is from 2007, so it may or may not be 'current'. He/she will need to contact USDA/APHIS import/export folks to make sure.

Even here in the States, for interstate transport, we typically have to contact the State Veterinarian's Office in the state of destination to ensure that the proper tests(and test methods, in some instances) have been performed in order to cross state lines with animals.  Requirements are subject to change - and those changes may not be updated on websites with any regularity.

Cost to jump through all the hoops and make sure you don't get hung up...I have no clue...
But the veterinarian at the front end should be responsible for making certain that all is as it should be...at least as far as the regulatory authorities are concerned.

 

[sue]

I just sent a bull from Michigan to Ontario this past summer . Buyer has a Broker license and it was his 1st trip hauling a animal back across. Takes some time and it's alot of paper work.  I would possibly visit with a breeder friend/ broker before taking this plung ! 

 

[librarian]

Thanks. I can think of a lot of ways this could go really wrong. Probably I would end spending the winter in Canada before it was all over, living in the cattle trailer with a taciturn Galloway who cannot even play checkers like all good Shorthorns.

 

[HAB]

We have done it both going up there and coming this way.

The biggest hassle has always been coming into the US.  Most states have different regulations health and/or import rules, most border personnel do not have a clue about animal importation, and the egos/attitudes of our public service people can try even the most patient people.

That being said.  If you yourself accompany the animal across the border and fill out the import paperwork, you DO NOT need a broker.  I would call the border where you plan to cross, ask them what is required (health paperwork aside, that is for the USDA vet) to import a bovine for breeding purposes.

Make sure health paperwork is filled out and ID #s match, especially the 25 digit EID ( I have no idea how many numbers there are, just more than what seems necessary)

Know if your state requires a CAN brand or tattoo.

 

[librarian]

Thanks. I had thought of just going up to the border and walking thru it without the animal so I would know exactly what to expect and then deciding if it seems possible.I did talk to NY state vet and she said all they need is health papers, a radio frequency ear tag and $100. I'll ask the truckers to itemize the cost for me. (Knill's) . Maybe if I just tell them I am not a rich person, the picture might change.
Tangentially, under related topics at the bottom of this post, there is a pretty amazing video of a herd of water buffalo vs a pride of lions. Wild Kingdom never even came up with something like this.. Although I can imagine Stan jumping into the fight and roping something..It's the ANIMAL BEHAVIOR post.

 

[justintime]

I find it a bit unreal that Knill's are asking an additional $1000 to broker the animal and meet you on the US side. I use them all the time to bring animals from the US into Canada. I just had them bring a cow from Indiana. They took her from Indiana to Ontario, cleared the border and then kept her at their facility at Paris, Ontario for a few days and then loaded her on another truck headed to Western Canada. Total cost for over an 1800 mile trip which included the Canadian import permit, clearing the border and board at their yards was $620.00. I should add that it was over 600 miles more travel for the cow by going this route, but I thought the convenience was worth the extra money as I was unable to get away and get her myself. I have used Knill's 3 times in the past year to bring cattle from Illinois and Indiana. The highest cost I had was $870.00 for a cow- calf pair they picked up in southern Illinois, cleared the Canadian border with all the broker fees and vet charges, then kept her at Paris, ON for almost 3 weeks until they had a truck heading west. I was concerned that the trip would be hard on the calf as it was very young, but both the calf and cow were in excellent condition when they arrived. Both looked like they had not been hauled more than 100 miles when they arrived. In my opinion, they are excellent truckers, and they care for the animals in an excellent manner. I would gladly pay a premium for the special care when they transport breeding stock. The costs of trucking may vary depending on the size of the load they have.
If you decide to drive to Paris yourself and take the animal across yourself, make sure you have a bill of sale for the animal with you. If the American is importing an animal he has purchased in Canada, to the US, he does not have to go through a broker at the US border and this is a huge saving. Make sure you have an appointment with the US vet at the border and make sure your health papers are valid. Export papers are only good for 30 days from when the first tests are done so you may only have a few days to get the animal into the US once it arrives in Ontario. Make sure the animal has the CAN  tattoo in it's ear ( some states require a CAN brand on the right hip) and you should have no problems. Just remember the papers expire 30 days from the date of the first test done... NOT the date the papers were signed by the Canadian federal vet. This is a common mistake many people make and they find out they do not have valid paperwork when they arrive at the border.

 

[librarian]

Well, it's kind of depressing. The cost from Alberta to Paris, Ontario is $500.
The $1000 to get across the border to Lewiston,NY is $375 for the broker and USDA paperwork, customs etc. The other $625 is for trucking one animal the 78 miles from Paris to the border, getting charged for  going back empty as well. Kind of a ransom payment.  Maybe my Texas accent is working against me or something.

 

[justintime]

Well, it's kind of depressing. The cost from Alberta to Paris, Ontario is $500.
The $1000 to get across the border to Lewiston,NY is $375 for the broker and USDA paperwork, customs etc. The other $625 is for trucking one animal the 78 miles from Paris to the border, getting charged for  going back empty as well. Kind of a ransom payment.  Maybe my Texas accent is working against me or something.

It is pretty obvious that Knill's don't want to haul your one animal and are trying to get you to come and get it at Paris, ON. It will mess up a day for them but these charges seem to be high. The broker fees are the real criminal part, but if you haul the animal yourself, you do not have to use a broker and therefore save these costs. I think these broker charges are criminal! I do all the forms and fax them to the broker and they charge me $250-$350 per head. Oftentimes, I have a bill at the broker of $2200-2500 when I am delivering bulls in the spring to the US. I guess someone has to help pay the debt Obama has piled up!

 

[librarian]

I'm not down on Knill's. Business is business, I guess, but they really were not angling for me to come get the animal. The man was pretty condescending about the idea of me coming and getting it myself and painted a clear picture of failure for me if I attempted it.
Probably part of it is gender, part of it is my obvious naiveté, and part of it might be that that is the value he puts on the service, his time and his equipment..
Thanks for all your help. I really do appreciate the information and the folks on SP.
I might pay it, just because of the cost of fuel to get up there, or I might decide the premium for importing an animal is too high and look for something domestic.

 

[librarian]

JIT was right about Knill's being very professional and keeping the animals well cared for. I stopped whining and paid to have them bring my animal across the border and I think it was the best thing for the animal. I got him home safely and he looks great. Thanks for all your help.

 

[creativecattle]

Don't forget about "your" own paperwork if you decide to go up there and get her. You'll need a passport.

 

[librarian]

Here are the instructions in case anyone else needs this information. This pertains to crossing from Canada into New York at Niagara Falls- but I doubt any other Port of Entry would be more regulated than one in New York State. As I said, I decided my first responsibility was the safe and efficient delivery of the animal into this country, so I elected to pay the haulers. They did an excellent job. The paperwork doesn't seem that bad-- I just don't trust my truck and trailer enough to take them out of this country.

People need either a passport, passport card or enhanced drivers license. You have to go through the commercial vehicle lane. They will then ask you to pull out of line and go "inside.". There you will need copy of sales invoice showing that you paid for the animal. You will also need to execute Customs Form 7523 and pay $10.75. The form is on line and seems very simple. When you pass that hurdle you are directed to go to USDA inspection which is about a mile away.
There you will need a copy of Canadian Form HA1941 original and 3 copies. This form was completed by vet in Canada. It is good for 30 days from date of exam not date vet filled out form. This form must be marked for International Shipment.
The animal needs to have CAN tattooed in left ear.
Animal must have RFID ear tag that matches the information on the 1941 form. USDA vet then inspects animal and makes certain that paperwork matches RFID. You also need to present USDA form 17-29 which is on line and not complicated. You then pay $40.00 and leave.
If the paperwork at each stop is not correct they have no option but to return animal to Canada until such time as paperwork is correct.

Haulers need to hire a broker to shuffle papers. You as owner do not.  Haulers need to schedule appointment at USDA. You as owner do not. However, USDA closes at 4PM. If you are in line on bridge by 2PM they will see you that day even if it's after their quitting time of 4PM with no overtime charge. Overtime is $51.00 per hour, minimum 4 hours.

 

[coyote]

librarian, you should also add that every state is different on the health requirements and also they seem to change some, so be sure to check with your state vet.