Wanderlust World Wanderlust World According to the Congressional Research Service of the Library of Congress, the U.S.-Canadian border (International Boundary) extends 5,525 miles (including Alaska). With this much territory involved, American citizens frequently wonder how they might transport plants across the border without hassle. American soil cannot cross the International Boundary by law largely because of the organisms it might contain. This includes the soil that might be in your planters and pots. If you plan your border crossing well and prepare your plants and vehicle before departure, the chances of getting your plants across the border are much higher.
Take the plants out of their original pot or planter and clean off the roots thoroughly with water. Soak burlap in water and then wrap your plants' roots in the damp burlap. Tie the burlap onto the plants with string so it's secure. If you'll have a long drive before getting to the border, stop at a park or open rest area to do this outside your car right before you get to the border station, since the roots will dry out quickly without soil around them, even with the burlap. Ask permission of the park/rest area attendants to work on the plants and dispose of the soil and pots according to their instructions. Be familiar with how your plants react to transplant before this process.
Identify with a label the name and species of each plant you are transporting. If the plant doesn't have a label, print off a sheet that has a picture of the plant on it. The sheet should have the name of the plant and a short description of it below the picture. The border officer can use these labels and sheets to make sure the plants are what you say they are and to determine what risks they pose.
Wipe off the plants with a damp cloth to get rid of any obvious mites, bugs and dust.
Put your plants in sturdy boxes with no lids. The boxes need to be lined with plastic sheeting or dropcloths. Put the boxes in a spot in your vehicle where the border officer can see and inspect them with ease.
Present your birth certificate, driver's license, passport, green card or naturalization certificate. Make sure to have these ready for the border officer. The harder you make it for the border officer to identify you, the more likely he will want to inspect everything in the vehicle more closely.
Declare the plants when you arrive at the border station. Be able to tell the border officer exactly how many plants you have and your purpose for bringing them across the border.
Stop at a garden supply store and repot the plants after crossing the border.