Collecting and moving internationally

jterry85
New Member

Posts: 5

Collecting and moving internationally Jan 28, 2012 2:48:20 GMT -8

Quote

Post by jterry85 on Jan 28, 2012 2:48:20 GMT -8

Hello everyone,

This is my first post here so I'll give a brief intro/background to help clarify my question. I'm interested in starting my first insect collection to help me learn more. I am in the US Army and currently stationed in Germany which has been the largest reason I have held off on getting into this hobby. Does anyone know what issues there might be with moving back to the US with an insect collection? I am aware that the moving company the Army uses might have restrictions on it but I am more interested in any legal/customs issues. I have read alot about international sales and shipping but was seeking clarification on personal transport/moving. Also if anyone has any knowledge of the legality of collecting Germany that would be great as well. Thanks everyone,

Joe

nomihoudai
Darwin

Claude

Posts: 1,618

Collecting and moving internationally Jan 28, 2012 3:16:48 GMT -8

Quote

Post by nomihoudai on Jan 28, 2012 3:16:48 GMT -8

In Germany there is a list online of the protected species, www.wisia.de/wisia/index.en.html

Click on Query database and then fill in the name of the species you are looking for. If you receive a hit then it means it is protected, if you don't get a hit the species is fine. I don't know what you collect but in butterflies there is like 30 species of the over 100 that are free to collect, the others are protected.

I also don't know how big your collection is, if it is simply one small box the chances that anyone will care are very small, I never ever had any problem with customs.

The larger "problem" would be on the US customs then, but there you just need to get the right papers and it should be fine, the American users can surely tell more exactly what you need.

Greetings from Germany, Claude

lepimap.click - butterfly distribution lists.

africaone Darwin Posts: 1,248 Country: Belgium	Collecting and moving internationally Jan 28, 2012 3:27:31 GMT -8 Quote Select Post Deselect Post Link to Post Member Give Gift Back to Top Post by africaone on Jan 28, 2012 3:27:31 GMT -8 you are walking on eggs ! sometimes, discretion is the best way. being military, i suppose you can enter in USA without strict control of things like insect ! (as it is the case in many countries)
	s'il n'y pas de solution c'est qu'il n'y a pas de problème ! akuna matata ....

Christof
Premium Member - 2022

Posts: 115

Collecting and moving internationally May 16, 2012 16:18:16 GMT -8

Quote

Post by Christof on May 16, 2012 16:18:16 GMT -8

I am a German who grew up in Germany. And I started my hobby there as well. I left Germany over 20 years ago, but still have family and friends there.
Collecting in Germany is a pain and I cannot recommend it at all. You will face lots of trouble and you will have to explain a thousand times what you are doing and why (yes, why the hell...). You are much better off searching for insects in France, Austria, Italy, etc..
Concerning your collection and bringing it over a border or back to the US, this is a very tricky subject. You can go the official way (i.e. declaring it, etc.) but I don't think that will go very well. It will be easy to bring it back if there is not too much stuff and (even better) if they are not yet set. It is amazing how many butterflies fit into a small box as long as they are in envelopes. I moved a few times from one country to another with my entire household and I never declared the bugs, they were just part of my 'office' stuff. Of course this only works if there is not too much!

Christof

>> until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate - Carl Jung <<

Post by jterry85 on Jan 28, 2012 2:48:20 GMT -8

Post by nomihoudai on Jan 28, 2012 3:16:48 GMT -8

Post by africaone on Jan 28, 2012 3:27:31 GMT -8

Post by Christof on May 16, 2012 16:18:16 GMT -8