Packing and stressing

May 12, 2009 6:20 AM

tingting and the dog are heading out of Canada and back to the US of A, where I grew up. Can my houseplants cross the border? Could they take 2-3 days in the back of a closed U-haul truck? Is taking a U-haul across the border a nightmare? Anything I can do to prep? The Dog papers are all in order. Question submitted to US Customs & Border, but no response yet. Muchos gracias.
posted by tingting to travel & transportation (6 comments total)

Most plants can't cross the border, no. That said, they *probably* will survive 2-3 days in the back of a truck -- at least most common houseplants will.
posted by the dief at 6:44 AM on May 12

I just asked my best friend, who is Customs & Border Patrol (CBT) officer and his response is:

You can bring plants (legal, within reason of course) across the border and although you may be questioned - I doubt very seriously that any CBT officer will care in the slightest about a normal looking potted plant. You're more likely to be probed with questions about your legal reasons for entering the country, especially with a u-haul - be very clear about your reasons, times, and destination - and, of course, be legal :-)
posted by jlstitt at 6:45 AM on May 12

I've moved across the border in both directions with houseplants. THe movers would not take them, though, they went in the car with me. You have to assure them border guards that these are houseplants that will always be potted indoors and never be planted outdoors in the ground. That is all. It was a pretty simple non-thing.
posted by If only I had a penguin... at 7:24 AM on May 12

Your plants will be fine assuming it's not mid-summer and baking back there. Even then they might survive if you water them morning and night.
posted by bluedaisy at 9:12 AM on May 12

ya'll are awesome as always! thanks
posted by tingting at 11:52 AM on May 12

Emigrated to Canada with U-Haul (from the US of course) and it was no problem at all. Returned to the closest U-Haul outlet to home, no prob. We see U-Hauls with American plates up here all the time so they clearly traverse borders with great frequency.
posted by ethnomethodologist at 2:17 PM on May 12