08/17/2026
Growing rare tropicals calls for both interest, and precaution. ✨ For the love of all things green, please take note of CITES listed orchids, niche plant genera/species, and even animals/reptiles.
There are 2 permits to keep in mind. For any CITES Appendix I species - even by a percent in pedigree - a CITES Import Permit must accompany your CFIA Import Permit, vendor or hobbyist. Before importing, research the plant: does its genus have any Appendix I species? If so, apply for the CITES import permit. Even for a man-made hybrid, you must obtain the permit and follow the strict CITES Canada regulations, moreso in Alberta. Niche hobbies tend to have particular rules: orchids, carnivorous plants, reptiles and other certain CITES regulated imports are no exception.
As new and avid collectors, it’s best not to get confused with this: for further clarification, contact CITES Canada ([email protected]) or feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll do our best to guide you based on our experiences with CITES, and Federal Wildlife Regulations.
