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Originally Posted by Nelly
I can't answer this question but I think this is a good opportunity to mention that upon my return to Canada in April via Halifax NS, Customs Officials had retained several bottles of the "dry" Mamajuana from other passengers. When I inquired about this I was told that it is not permitted to be brought into the country but they would allow the mixture to go through but not the dry stuff. I'm not sure if this is a new rule or not. Also, for the first time in my experience, we had to have all " wood " items examined.
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This is absolutely correct. Canada Customs will confiscate wood products, both organic (Mamajuana mixtures) and fabricated (sculptures, wood ornaments). Confiscation is due to the increase of insect contamination into our countries eco-system and the use of endangered species of wood for commercial use. New customs rules governing the importation of wood and wood products made from endangered species are now in effect. Our countries hard wood forestry has been devasted by recent infestations of "imported" insects that have damaged old growth areas from east to west of our country. When returning to Canada at Christmas from the DR the wood confiscation was strictly adherred to by Canada Custom officials here in Ottawa. Sadly many people were stopped and wood products taken and subsequently burned. There is also the possiblity that when purchasing fabricated wood products that you are also transporting "wood worm".To the un-trained eye you may not be aware that these worms exist but they can reproduce and cause serious damage to other wood furnishings of your home.
Please consider alternative gifts or purchases from the DR. One of the national treasures of the country is thier production of pottery and doll/animal figurines in kiln fired clay. These are produced by the artisans of the island and all clay is manufactured from island based clay pits. The clay pits are evironmentally friendly small community based business endeavours providing local jobs and helping local economies. The clay has a unique "orange" base colour not found anywhere else, and the production is "folk/rustic" in detail. A wonderful momento from a wonderful culture.
Other environmentally sensitive purchases to consider are the had made paper products, fabric dyed/hand painted , and of course "wet" mamajuana (still allowed entry to Canada). Watch for the alcohol content as 151 is considered a flammable/combustable material and is not allowed on planes returning to Canada.
One of the more interesting issues currently being discussed is the consideration of confiscation and the public awareness of "sea shell" sales to visitors of Carribean islands. Shells sold that are harvested from the reefs of the islands can cause damage to the fragile coral reef eco-systems of our worlds oceans. As tempting as it is to want to buy these natural treasures these may have been harvested before the creatures natural life cycle has ended, hasty and damaging harvesting practices may cause life long damage to the reef structures and the "conch" shell species may soon be considered endangered due to the popularity of the purchase of these show case shells.
Please forgive the length of this post and understand that the DR is a natural paridise of forest and ocean, sky and mountain range that deserves our admiration and environmental respect.
Toby
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Mamajuana HELP
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