Import Wildlife

Import Wildlife

Import Wildlife: Application to import live wildlife or the egg of a wildlife species into British Columbia.

Related Activities: Export Wildlife, Transport Fish

Contents:

About this Activity Guide

This guide summarizes the most common requirements and recommendations for your chosen activity and is designed to help you submit a complete application. Be aware that this information is for guidance purposes only.

Need Help? Contact FrontCounter BC

Mandatory Authorizations

Authorization Name Link to Authorization Guidance Link to Application
Import Permit - Wildlife Act, Permit Regulation (Sections 4 b i and 4 b ii) Authorization Guidance Apply Now

Costs

Cost may be a specific value or range of values. The cost includes GST, where applicable.

Cost Type Cost Description Cost Link to Details
Permit fee Personal Use: Permit fee plus Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) fee $30 Wildlife Act Permit Regulation - Schedule 3
Permit fee Any other purpose other than personal use: Permit fee plus Habitat Conservation Trust Fund (HCTF) fee $55 Wildlife Act Permit Regulation - Schedule 3

Eligibility Requirements

Ensure that you meet the eligibility requirements prior to applying.

Requirement Description
Wildlife Must be wildlife as defined under the Wildlife Act.
Age Applicant must be at least 19 years of age, unless a parent or guardian has given written consent to the application.
Vet health certificates Current vet health certificates for each animal.

Information Requirements

Requirement Description Link to Details
General Wildlife Permit - Import Wildlife
  1. Name and contact details.
  2. Activity details: Location of activity, dates and detailed description of activity. For film industry: location(s) for film shoot
  3. Species details: Number, age and gender of the wildlife to be imported as well as description of any bands, tags or tattoos on the wildlife. For import of eggs provide species of wildlife eggs to be imported.
 Fish and Wildlife General Permit Application Form
Public Safety Plan Detail on how wildlife is being:
  1. Transported into/from British Columbia (BC),
  2. Transported while in BC,
  3. Contained while in BC
  4. Prevented from escape ; as well as detail on measures in place should wildlife escape.
 Public Safety Plan Form
Vet health certificates Provide vet health certificates for each animal and/or each egg to be imported.
Valid Possess Live Wildlife Permit Provide permit number

Potential Additional Requirements

Requirement Description When is it Required?
Possess Live Wildlife Permit Must have applicable permit (see permit requirements below) to posses live wildlife. Note that persons cannot possess live wildlife to keep as pets.
Possess Live Wildlife - Where wildlife will not be on public display. For New Applications:
  1. Name of the regional representative that inspected the facilities or mews;
  2. Date facilities or mews were inspected;
  3. Number, age and gender of wildlife currently in possession (non-federal species only);
  4. Name, address and telephone number of the proposed supplier of the wildlife; and
  5. Proposed use of the wildlife.

Possess Live Wildlife - Where wildlife will be on public display or for other commercial purposes. For New Applications:
  1. Proof that facilities/mews have been inspected and passed by Ministry personnel;
  2. Number, age and gender of wildlife currently in possession (non-federal species only);
  3. Description of any bands, tags or tattoos on the wildlife;
  4. Name, address and telephone number of the proposed supplier of the wildlife;
  5. Proposed use of the wildlife (e.g. pest control, breeding, selling, movie industry);
  6. Documentation to be attached to application: proof of minimum $1,000,000 in public liability and property damage insurance (zoos) and a Public Safety Plan.
 When you do not already have a possession permit for the wildlife you would like to import. A possession permit must be obtained in order to import wildlife.
Link Description
Fish and Wildlife General Permit Application A web page providing additional information and an online application form for general Fish and Wildlife permits. Application form must be submitted online via virtual FrontCounter BC.
Controlled Alien Species Controlled alien species are animal species that are not native to our province and are therefore not considered wildlife. It is illegal for anyone in B.C. to possess, ship, transport or breed these controlled animals without a special permit.
Wildlife Act, Permit Regulation Schedule 1 A web page providing a detailed list of live wildlife not allowed to be imported into BC, as per the Wildlife Act.
Need Help? Contact FrontCounter BC

Other Things You Should Know

Archaeology Information
Archaeological sites are protected under the Heritage Conservation Act and must not be altered or damaged without a permit issued by the Archaeology Branch. Information regarding potential risks to protected archaeological sites may be obtained by submitting an online data request form to the Archaeology Branch or by contacting a professional archaeologist via the BC Association of Professional Archaeologists (www.bcapa.ca) or via local directories. Visit the Archaeology Branch website for more information.

BCeID - What Is It and Why Get It?
BCeID is an online service that allows you to create a user ID and password to sign in securely to many Government services in British Columbia. The benefits of having a BCeID account include:

  • Stop and start. Save and return later to complete your application without losing any information previously entered.
  • Real time status information. Check the status of your application in real time.
  • Access your applications for multiple people (Business BCeID only) to edit or submit your application or check its status. To enroll in this service, visit the BCeID web page: FrontCounter BC - BCeID

Legal Disclaimer
This guide provides the most current and accurate information available to the Government of British Columbia at the time of publishing; however, we make no warranty regarding the completeness, currency or accuracy of this information. This information is for guidance purposes only and does not replace legislated requirements. Each application is unique and circumstances may result in additional requirements beyond those included in this guide.

Last Updated: July 14, 2023