Does anyone know if it is legal to cross the border with plants from Mexico, cacti in particular? I may be going to Mexico on vacation to see some family in about a month or so and was wondering. I would love to bring some plants or seeds home with me but am not sure if it is legal. I don't want to cause trouble at the border so figured I would ask you guys first. Any advise you could share?
Thanks, Jason
Crossing the Border?
NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO !! (Sorry to yell!) You have to be soooo careful and get papers beforehand from the government to bring in each and every plant before hand and then only if everything really works out right. You can cross and just break the law and not tell them but then you face fines or jail time - or both! I had lived in Mexico and tried to bring some plants out but it was just tooo much work and cost to get what I wanted to bring over and from my understanding they have made the rules harder (this was 10ish years back).
I haven't crossed the border in many years, have you? If so, specifically what do they ask? I know that when you enter in CA among other questions they ask if you are bringing back any plants, fruit or vegetables...Crossing the border from Mexico into Texas they may be more interested in drugs, both prescription and OTC as well as illegal drugs, and undocumented aliens. I know that the Texas Ag Dept is looking at fruit fly issues but doubt if that's going to be a problem w/ cactus. Sorry I can't be of more specific help.
Uh oh looks like I spoke too soon.
The drugs are big here - and are the first thing. Bu there are several big Department of Ag rules that if you do not declare you get fined and if you do not have the paperwork they get taken and if they are rare or endnagered you get jail time to boot.
Been fined - been there and done that.
Mexican jails are no fun either I've heard. Can his family mail him seeds, maybe?
This message was edited Jun 20, 2006 5:49 PM
Even that is tricky - you have to be ok with lying about what is in the packet and if caught they will be destroyed.
Stunning place to look at plants but so hard to bring back the plants. I had found several new plants down there I wanted to bring back so bad - just learned plants are not worth it.
Thanks, you guys. I guess I won't try then. It's okay though, I can probably find a lot of the cacti I wanted here. I just figured if I could bring it from Mexico while I am there, it would be easier and cheaper. Oh well. I just wanted to add to my dragon fruit collection but from the looks of it, I won't need to. I guess they are liking the cooler weather. Lower 90's instead of upper 90's and 100. lol...They are growing much faster now.
Thanks again for all the advise. I appreciate it.
Jason
You know, you might just look around on the US side of the border, on the side of the raods, etc. Most plants don't recognize the boundary lines we've drawn on maps, and you might find some neat stuff!
Have a good trip!
I've also heard negative things about bringing stuff out of Mexico and also know of a guy who went across to get booze while meeting buddies in Laredo for hunting and they noticed either a bullet cartridge or maybe it was a shot gun. I can't remember. Big NO NO. He ended up in jail and after hiring a lawyer and payin a major fine and several days in jail, family got him out, but he never got his nice truck back. His thoughtlessness (I think he just forgot to take the gun out of the truck before crossing over) turned out to be an expensive lesson.
I'll probably do that. I mean we do pass tons of differant cacti fields, might as well grab some cuttings. Thanx
Yeah after all that is being said I don't think I'd want to take the risk- I know that all of us have heard of the horrors of Mexican jails- heck I can't think of any jail I'd want to be in!
Be careful to in the Texas down there - be sure it is near the road and in the daylight. Imagration runs trucks all over the rural areas and look for strange behavior. They can bring you in with no reason needed thanks to the wya the laws read now...
I am only about 25 miles from the border...and it is illegal to bring in plants...and it is also illegal to take cactus OUT of Arizona!!
Some one I am VERY close to has mailed cactus out though...no one asked what was in the package...just if I....err THEY wanted insurance on the package.
A friend forgot he had a gun in his truck too...now...no gun...no truck...and no money!!
Jo
As a native Texan, born and raised near Corpus Christi, I've been lucky enough to go to Mexico ALOT. Although I've seen some wonderful cacti there...I was told to never attempt to bring anything "flora or fauna" from Mexico. Even when we bought avocados there...the street vendor would remove the seed and replace it with a jalapeno (to keep it from darkening.) So absolutely no seeds either!
This message was edited Jun 22, 2006 4:12 PM
Yikes! I guess the message is leave your guns at home! Not a fan of guns and believe they should be under lock and key at home anyway, but for those folks who like to carry them legally, there is a strong message here! I wonder why they are able to take the vehicle- it's not like they were transporting guns for trafficing- I would understand if someone had a bunch of guns and it was clear or at least looked like they were going to sell them- seems a bit arbittrasy (sp).
This message was edited Jun 23, 2006 11:00 AM