The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) plays an active role in protecting Canada's ecosystem by administering import requirements for all animals. To avoid spreading animal-related diseases and introducing foreign species, all living creatures, including pets, must be declared when importing them into Canada.
Recently, CBSA officers found two live tarantulas hidden in a plastic container and a children's toy at the Edmonton CBSA Commercial facility at the Edmonton International Airport. On May 12, 2023, CBSA officers saw irregularities in a small package from Hong Kong and found a male tarantula hidden inside a plastic container. On June 1, 2023, CBSA officers inspected another package from the same shipper and found a female spider hidden inside of a children's toy plane.
CBSA officers contacted Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) enforcement officials to help determine if the spiders were listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Upon inspection and further examination by ECCC wildlife enforcement officers and their partners, it was determined that both spiders are Phlogiellus xinping (a species of tarantula), which are native to Hong Kong and are not CITES listed. Considering this, this species did not require permits to import into Canada or export from Hong Kong.
When bringing living creatures to Canada, be aware of the rules governing their importation, including procedures to protect endangered and threatened species. Canada has strong regulations in place to facilitate the humane transport of living creatures.
The tarantulas are doing well and have now found a new home at the Royal Alberta Museum.
