CBP Gives Tips to Travelers on Importing Xmas Trees, Wreaths, Etc.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that with the Christmas holiday approaching, its agriculture specialists working at U.S. ports of entry are making sure that imported Christmas trees, branches, or wreaths are free from insects and pests that could harm trees in the U.S.' national forests and neighborhood backyards. CBP provides the following advice to those importing such goods:
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Some Tree Species Require Grower Certification
Pine species of Christmas trees, branches, or wreaths imported from British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba into Idaho or Montana require certification from the grower that the tree was grown in an area of Canada where gypsy moth and pine shoot beetle are not known to occur. Importations of Christmas trees grown outside of these areas are subject to additional regulations.
Species of fir, spruce, and Douglas fir only require certification if the tree was grown in an area where gypsy moth is not known to occur.
Trees to Be Returned if no Certification or if Pests Are Found
Without the required certification holiday trees, branches, or wreaths may be prohibited and travelers would be required to return their tree or cuttings back to Canada. All holiday trees, branches, wreaths, or cuttings may be inspected at the port of entry. Any tree or cutting that is found to be harboring harmful insects must be returned to Canada.
(CBP notes that travelers may also bring holly or mistletoe cuttings that were grown in Canada as long as the cuttings do not have any berries.)
Contact Info for CBP Ag Specialists
CBP encourages anyone wondering if they may import their Christmas tree to speak with a CBP agriculture specialist at (208) 267-5309 (Porthill, Idaho), (208) 267-3966 (Eastport, Idaho), (406) 889-3737 (Roosville, Mont.), (406) 335-2282 (Sweetgrass, Mont.), or (406) 895-2620 (Raymond, Mont.) for details.
(See ITT's Online Archives 11120213 for summary of CBP's most recent interception of a shipment of pine trees from Canada containing two plant pests.)