Ministry of Agriculture and Lands
Apiculture Factsheet #002
Importing Queens and Packaged Bees
Canadian beekeepers can import queens and packaged bees from several approved sources. All bee imports into Canada require a federal Import Permit. Please be aware that the status of honey bee sources can change as diseases may be introduced.
Approved sources include:
- Queens - New Zealand, Australia, Chile, California
- Packages - New Zealand, Australia
Import Permits must be applied for and can be obtained from:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Room 220, 4 Ave SE
Calgary, AB T2G 4X3
Ph. 403 292-5828
Fx. 403 292-6629Information about obtaining an Import Permit can also be found on the internet at
www.inspection.gc.ca
Import Permits involve a fee, regardless of the size of the order. For smaller shipments, ordering through a Beekeeper Supplier or group purchase may be far cheaper.
When ordering bees from Australia and New Zealand, plan for the earliest possible date of arrival. Earlier shipments tend to be of better quality and queens adjust better.
When queens or packages are needed later in the spring, consider purchasing good quality bees from local breeders. For a list of members of the BC Bee Breeders Association, see www.bcbeekeepers.com or contact the Apiculture office (604-556-3152)
06/09
