transporting roses by car between the US and Canada

13 years ago

Last fall we transported three roses to Canada from the US, a week later we transported 15 roses to the US from Canada. We did not experience problems either time. As others may have occasion to do this I will pass on our experience. You will need a phytosanitary certificate to do this for each border crossing. If the roses are grown in potting soil you will have no problems getting one, otherwise they need to be bareroot. In the state of Washington you go to the local Washington agricultural inspector. We went to the one in Mount Vernon. The roses are inspected and if no problems are found a certificate is issued on the spot. The cost in Washington for this is $40.00. When you cross the border you give the border agent the certificate and answer some questions regarding what you intend to do with the roses in Canada. They will check to see if the number of roses in your vehicle are the same as the number on the certificate and unless you plan on selling the roses in Canada will stamp your certificate and give you clearance to pass.

In Canada you can get the phytosanitary certificate from an Agriculture Canada inspection station. It takes about 20 minutes and they will issue a certificate on the spot. The cost is $12.50 CDN. Crossing back into the US is similar to crossing into Canada except that they are not as interested in what you plan to do with the roses.

It is necessary for you to call the inspectors a few days before you plan on getting the roses inspected. But I repeat, it is very important that the roses are grown in a non-soil medium such as potting soil. Otherwise you may have problems.

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Comments (9)

harborrose_pnw
13 years ago
Thank you for this - I've looked at rose sites in Canada that don't ship and wondered about the procedures for bringing roses into the US were I actually to visit the nurseries on a trip up there. Now I know, thanks. Gean
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rosefolly
13 years ago
I'd wondered too. It seemed that it had to be easier than bringing roses in from Europe, because Pickering ships to the United States all the time.
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york_rose
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The regulations regarding importing plants from Canada are often more relaxed than they are for importing plants from other continents. The pests Canadian plants encounter while being grown there are far more often than not the same ones they face in most of the continental USA.

When you attempt to import tropical fruit purchased in Canada (which obviously couldn't have been grown there) you may find that's more likely to be problematic.
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summersrhythm_z6a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I know this thread is old. Does anyone know where I can find an Agriculture Canada inspection station list? Any info would be great. Planning to pick up some roses in Burlington Canada and bring them back to the US, border crossing will be Niagara Fall Rainbow Bridge. Thanks
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rose_crazy_da
8 years ago
Hi Summersrhythm,

I tried searching the website could not find anything try -

Best to contact By Telephone:

1-800-442-2342 /
1-613-773-2342

Or try the below link –

http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/contact-us/eng/1299860523723/1299860643049#osc-avs
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rideauroselad OkanaganBC6a
8 years ago
This is a very old thread. The information about Agriculture Canada being responsible for issuance of phytosanitary certificates in Canada is incorrect, as are the service charges listed.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), Plant Health Division is the certifying authority and has been for decades. The link above will take you to the CFIA's Area and Regional Offices page, From there select the Region and on the next page look for the local offices link, Look for the local office that you think will be closest to the port of entry you wish to cross at.

At the border itself, you will be dealing with Canadian Border Services Officers who are responsible for all inspections of goods including plants at the border on the Canadian side. If they have questions or concerns that you can't answer, they will contact the CFIA to conduct a technical inspection.

On the US side, phytosanitary certificates are most often issued by State Inspectors on behalf of the USDA.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/SA_Export

The officers you will deal with at the border on the US side are employed by US Customs and Border Protection Service. If you have import questions on the American side, contact the USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine Service:

Import Requirements for Plants and Plant Products
Telephone: (301) 851-2046

You should also be aware, that you should check with the port of entry going either direction just to make certain that they will allow plant inspections. The major crossings should be fine, but if you wish to use one of the smaller crossings, make certain to call ahead to check about service and times.

It is not all that complex if you do your homework. The key is making the proper enquiries, planning and making certain that you have your import/export ducks (roses) in a row before you attempt to cross the border. If you fail to do it right you will be refused entry, or your plants seized depending on the problem.

Cheers, Rick
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summersrhythm_z6a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thank you so much Rose and Rick! I found 10 inspectors listed in Niagara Falls area, that's the place I have to cross the border with plants. :-) I will make some calls on Monday. I have bought roses a few times from Palatine Roses last year, will go back there this spring too. I had Phyto certificate for crossing the border, the charge for the inspection and certificate was $25. Now I try to order roses from another nursery in Burlington, they coded me $100 for the inspection and Phyto certificate, it's really high compare to Palatine's, so I am looking for the inspection office and get it done that way. :-)

Thanks a lot for your help! :-)
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Francis Jackson
8 years ago
Hello! I had such situations with importing goods to Canada too some time ago. Consider using some customs clearance brokers. I dealt with https://clearit.ca service for such things which made everything much easier for me. Have you tried such services too?
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summersrhythm_z6a
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
Thanks Francis! I just contacted Canadian AG inspection office, I can get the roses inspected on the day I pick them up, the cost is $7.00! :-) I just need to call them a few days ahead for an appointment. I am very happy to hear that! :-)
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transporting roses by car between the US and Canada

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