All you have to do is call your local postal office and ask someone. You do not want to break any laws by shipping something you shouldn't, right? It might be easier than you think.

To legally enter Canada, the plant must be accompanied by a federal phytosanitary certificate. I don't know about your state, but in most northern states the state nursery inspectors are trained and authorized to issue the "phytos". Your 1st call should be to your nursery inspector/state dept of agriculture. They can quickly tell you all the particulars including costs.

Thanks rhizo and buckeye!

I was thinking that I had to go to the Gov't of Canada and get something, but I'll take your advice and start close to home.

-Ron

Agree with buckeye ... I ship daylilies to Canada and have them inspected by my NYS Agric. Inspector who then provides the phyto cert.

Your friend in Ontario also has to get an import permit. You apply for these listing both the species you want to import and the state it's coming from. You also have to say where you are growing it, and if you intend to resell, where you sell to. You can list as many as you want on the form. It's something like 30 bucks, and the import is good for 3 years.

While it seems a lot of bother, a lot of this is needed to slow down the spread of pests.

Even within Canada there are limitations. I can't buy elm trees from Jeffries in Manitoba because Alberta is so far pretty much Dutch Elm disease free.

For the last three years I couldn't bring firs in from BC. They are having a problem with adelgids on firs right now, and they want to keep it inside the BC boundary.

Getting the phytosanitary certificate is a lot easier if the plants can be shipped bare root, or are grown in sterile soil-less media.

phyto certs typically cost $25 to $40. Might be cheaper to mail your friend a gift certificate to a local nursery.