Importing corals

[cutting]

I am trying to find the regulations on importing corals and the like from South Korea to the states. I am currently stationed out here in Korea and have seen quite a few corals that i would like to bring back to the states. I just want to make sure i dont violate any laws in the process. Can anyone point me in the right direction to get the information I am looking for?
Thanks in advance.

[sjvl51]

I would start here - http://www.cites.org/ and then move on to here - http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/

Vickie

[Aquatect]

I know that you will most likely need a collection license if your getting them yourself, plus it will need to pass FDA regulations. Alot of people have this same problem with bringing plants in from other countries because the FDA is worried about contamination of our waters. Infact some plants have been made illegal to import(such as caulerpa taxifolia) and are deemed "noxious weeds".

[DonJasper]

There's an idea! They're your 'pets' right? Might have to explain to Mr. Inspector that coral is, in fact, and animal and not a plant. So the same regulations that apply to your fish would apply to your coral.

The logistics might be tricky. "Well it was alive when I boxed it up. I sure wish they hadn't have routed it through the North Pole."

Might post this question on the Coral Forum. I'd bet you're not the first one to want to do this sort of thing.

[Julio]

you can always ask a local exporter to ship them for you.