Can I bring a bonsai tree/saddles into Canada from South Africa?

[marabsky]

We are leaving behind most of our big stuff but we are planning to ship most of our personal belongings (not furniture)...

All seems cool except....

1. We have a bonsai tree we got for our wedding. Its not that I believe the fable that if the tree dies, so will our marriage :-) but I really would love to keep it. Is it possible to import if we air frieght it / get it inspected / fumigated / whatever it requires? It really is sentimental to me.

2. I have saddles, bridles, other horse gear which I intend to bring back. Other than cleaning it thoroughly, are there any requirements for this? I have had a few VERY dissapproving stares from international removals agents when I tell them I intend to bring the stuff in. One even said I needed to get in packed in a sealed crate and the crate fumigated by a specialist within a few days of departure with specialist paperwork etc. Really? I mean, we our bringing our cat and there is virtually nothign we need to do - give him a rabies shot beforehand and bring proof, and we don't have proof they vaccinate him on landing and charge us for it. Easy. So could saddles really be so difficult if a live animal can virtually waltz in???

Anybody know?

[Leon]

The Canadian food agency plant section is here: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/english/plaveg/plavege.shtml

If you don't find the info you are looking for you can call them.  They are very helpful.

[cchabert]

Good day Marabsky Did you found the way to bring the Bonsai? I'm in USA and have 10 trees so far and I don;t know if they will stay or not, thank you for your info.

:o)