30 replies to this topic

[Derpy]

Is it legal to ship ants WITHIN state borders? I know that it is illegal to ship outside state borders, but how about within state borders?

[StopSpazzing]

I would assume it requires permit. Sent this question to USDA and also what it would take. Will reply in 3-4 days when they respond.

Edited by StopSpazzing, February 12 2018 - 6:49 PM.

[Derpy]

All the laws that I have read only specify shipping queens ants across state borders.

[Reacker]

terrypostcorrectlyexplainingthelawsforthis.jpg

[Derpy]

terrypostcorrectlyexplainingthelawsforthis.jpg

Lol

[Ants_Texas]

Honesly, I'm for a topic being created and pinned to the "Important Topics". It should be a FAQ about shipping ants, queens, stuff like that.

 

It just seems that this kind of stuff is brought up every week.

Edited by Ants_Texas, February 12 2018 - 7:25 PM.

[CallMeCraven]

Shipping ants within the state from which they are captured doesn't violate APHIS regulations, however many states and counties have their own versions of APHIS to restrict the movement of plant pests. Before you ship, you should contact your local agriculture offices (such as university extension offices) for any regulations that may pertain to your case.

Edited by CallMeCraven, February 13 2018 - 8:42 AM.

[StopSpazzing]

OK everyone, here is the result from USDA to clear up ALL confusion:

 

Thank you for writing to USDA’s Ask the Expert.  Movement of native/endemic ants within a state is regulated by that state’s department of agriculture.  However, movement of native/endemic ants across state lines would require a USDA PPQ 526 plant pest permit.  These interstate permits generally do not require a formal containment evaluation, but that depends on the ant species.  Ants imported from outside the contiguous 48 states would require a USDA PPQ 526 plant pest permit, as well as an evaluated containment facility.  Further information is available at https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/planthealth/import-information/permits/regulated-organism-and-soil-permits/insects-and-mites/ct_insects; you may also email pest.permits@aphis.usda.gov.  We hope this information is helpful.

 

And for the people that think I am bullsh*tting them:

Edited by StopSpazzing, February 13 2018 - 3:30 PM.

[Derpy]

So it’s legal?

[gcsnelling]

So it’s legal?

Legal with a permit which there is no guarantee of being issued.

[Kevin]

So it’s legal?

 

Pardon me if I sound impertinent, however if you read the paragraph StopSpazzing received from the USDA and retained any bit of information from it, you would find there's no simple answer, and that it varies state-to-state. With that being said, it is very likely it is legal in your area to ship ants in the mail if they stay within state borders while in transit and at destination. The best solution would be not to ship ants.

[StopSpazzing]

Can we get this pinned?

[Jadeninja9]

So it’s legal?

I gotchu bro. The answer is: In California, it is illegal to ship ants within the borders without a permit. The only two species that are legal to ship without a permit are Pogonomyrmex californicus, and Linepithema humile. Here is a link to the PDF that shows what insect species are legal to ship within California. http://pi.cdfa.ca.go...ual/pdf/111.pdf

 

California has the most strict laws regarding insects. It's actually illegal to collect ANY species of insect within California without a permit. This isn't to protect the environment as they say it is, it's just so they can make an extra buck off of people buying expensive permits. 

The laws vary by state

[Jadeninja9]

Legal with a permit which there is no guarantee of being issued.

 

 

 

I was going through my iNaturalist observations and found that you had identified a winter ant for me. Small world. 

Edited by Jadeninja9, February 13 2018 - 8:45 PM.

[AntsCalifornia]

 

So it’s legal?

I gotchu bro. The answer is: In California, it is illegal to ship ants within the borders without a permit. The only two species that are legal to ship without a permit are Pogonomyrmex californicus, and Linepithema humile. Here is a link to the PDF that shows what insect species are legal to ship within California. http://pi.cdfa.ca.go...ual/pdf/111.pdf

 

California has the most strict laws regarding insects. It's actually illegal to collect ANY species of insect within California without a permit. This isn't to protect the environment as they say it is, it's just so they can make an extra buck off of people buying expensive permits. 

The laws vary by state

 

So its illegal for us to participate in the hobby without a permit?

[YsTheAnt]

Oof

Edited by YsTheAnt, March 10 2019 - 10:52 PM.

[Dnail]

Shhhh... We don't want the answer to that.

 

 

So it’s legal?

I gotchu bro. The answer is: In California, it is illegal to ship ants within the borders without a permit. The only two species that are legal to ship without a permit are Pogonomyrmex californicus, and Linepithema humile. Here is a link to the PDF that shows what insect species are legal to ship within California. http://pi.cdfa.ca.go...ual/pdf/111.pdf

 

California has the most strict laws regarding insects. It's actually illegal to collect ANY species of insect within California without a permit. This isn't to protect the environment as they say it is, it's just so they can make an extra buck off of people buying expensive permits. 

The laws vary by state

 

So its illegal for us to participate in the hobby without a permit?

 

i will pretend didn't see this question 

[Zeiss]

Here is another website that clarifies a bit the laws in CA and some other places around the world.  I am not sure the legitimacy of it, but it looks correct.  http://www.theskepti...ecting-permits/

[AntsCalifornia]

Those permits seem to not apply to ants, so I guess we are fine, unless you want to keep butterflies, then I guess you´re out of luck. 

[AntsCalifornia]

So I actually emailed UPS about this saying,

and he responded (don´t know why he said rare) saying, 

 

Didn´t know what to think of it after you guys said it was illegal, so I thought I´d post it.