Bringing shrimp in your suitcase

[Reevenz]

Hi all,

I'll be going overseas and I have a plan to import some shrimps.

I read somewhere in the forum that you can bring in upto 30 pieces of living animal so i know i won't have any issue in the custom.

Now my question is, since shrimps are not hardy animal, how would you prepare them in your suit case? Temperature would fluctuate because aeroplane's cargo area are cooler than passenger area. Secon thing is altitude and air pressure. Would that affect shrimps?

Last thing is when your suitcase are being tossed around upside down. Do you thing the shrimps would have a chance getting through it?

Appreciate any feedback from all the seniors

[stormhawk]

First off, you need a styrofoam box, like those you use for fishing, and some breather bags from Kordon. You can place several shrimps in the Kordon breather bags. Just make sure that there is no trapped air within the bags when you pack them. The bag is made from a special plastic that allows gaseous exchange with the air. Since there is no need to have any air in the bags, it reduces the risk of the water shaking in normal poly bags with oxygen pumped in. Make sure each bag is packed loosely, as in not super fat with water when you seal it. This reduces risk of the bag bursting from pressure. Wrap each bag with some filter wool to prevent the bags from touching one another while in the box. The styrofoam box will cushion them from impact and temperature fluctuations during transit.

Read this for requirements from AVA. http://www.ava.gov.sg/InformationFor...Fish/index.htm

You should read jojoe's thread. I remember him bringing back shrimps from Taiwan with no problems.

[newlife]

Just share with your some info...a replied email from AVA...

The AVA allows each traveller to bring not more than 30 pieces of ornamental fish (non-endangered species) in not more than 3 litres of packing water, whichever is less, per person per trip, as part of his carry-on luggage into Singapore for personal keeping without the need to apply for an import licence. Please note that shrimps are classified as ornamental fish under the definition stated inhttp://www.ava.gov.sg/AnimalsPetSector/ImportExportTransOfAnimalRelatedPrd/OrnamentalFish/. As such, the total number of shrimps cannot exceed 30 pieces or 3 litres of packing water, whichever is less.

*

Should the amount of shrimp that you wish to bring into Singapore exceed 30 pieces and/or is packed in more than 3 litres of water, you might wish to seek the assistance of a licensed ornamental fish importer for their help in the import of this batch of shrimp as an import permit would be required. You may approach any one of the licensed exporters listed onhttp://www.safea.org. You may also wish to check with the relevant authorities from the exporting country as well as your airline to clarify if they have any restrictions or documentary requirements*with regard to the transport of this batch of fish. Due to stringent regulations governing the amount of liquid an individual can carry aboard a plane, you would be required to transport these shrimps as part of your check-in luggage rather than as part of your hand-carry item.

*

You are requested to declare all these shrimps through the RED channel, regardless of the mode of transport or checkpoint upon arrival.

*

Please note that the import of ornamental shrimp via cargo or parcel post without a valid ornamental fish import and export permit issued by the AVA is strictly prohibited.

If you need a copy of this email...please drop me a pm...

[vannel]

I brought in some shrimp from Taiwan a few months ago. All you really need is to bring a Coleman cooler/tumbler (or any other type of container that is tough and retains temperature.. those you bring out for a picnic). I had the shop owner pack the shrimps in their usual bags and before filling up with air, slot the bag into the cooler. Once done, get the shop owner to fill the bag up with enough air to make it a snug fit in the cooler before tying it up. Anyway, I checked in the cooler with the rest of my clothes in a luggage. Came back to SG with 100% survivability.

[longcheeze]

Good informations, thanks.

[gryphon]

I brought in my shrimps in a normal hard plastic water bottle, wrapped clothes around it before placing in my check-in luggage. Bought shrimps the day before departing for Singapore and the shop pump oxygen into the bottle before I quickly tighten the water bottle's cap. Must add more plants in the bottle so that the shrimps can cling onto the plants.

[Reevenz]

wow, the coleman box is great idea, i'll check on the price on that, if not too expensive, i gez i'll opt on that one =)

thanks for ideas all. i believe the shrimps are strong enough to withstand the temporal shakes and altitude change?

[vannel]

No problem. Anyway, it wasnt the box type that I used. That would have been a little oversized for a max of 30 shrimps. I bought mine from Giant for only 1 red note.

See below for a rough guide of the cooler jug:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colem...id=8510&brand=

The Coleman cooler jug will keep the temperature constant from the time you purchase the shrimps till they get on the flight and back to SG. It is also tough enough to withstand the pressure of a million other luggages stacked on top of it and is leakproof (even if the bag has not been tied up properly). I bought my shrimps the day before my flight and the shrimps were okay for the whole 30+ hours they were in the Coleman jug till they reached my tank. I also did not request for a "Fragile" sticker on my luggage since I had a hard case luggage. You might want to consider that if your luggage is the soft type.

Do note that you should have enough moss in the bag (not just a single sprig like they give you in SG's LFS. get abit more so it doesnt shake around with the water and it'll provide some biofilm for them to eat.) and you should not have too much water in the bag to maximise the amount of oxygen for travel.

Good Luck..!

[rolex]

I brought in my shrimps in a normal hard plastic water bottle, wrapped clothes around it before placing in my check-in luggage. Bought shrimps the day before departing for Singapore and the shop pump oxygen into the bottle before I quickly tighten the water bottle's cap. Must add more plants in the bottle so that the shrimps can cling onto the plants.

i 2nd this.
this is exactly wat i did as well.no casualty at all.
but due to the long journey, please do drip method when introducing them into your tank.
i thin this is more critical..
all the best bro.

[eviltrain]

I brought in my shrimps in a normal hard plastic water bottle, wrapped clothes around it before placing in my check-in luggage. Bought shrimps the day before departing for Singapore and the shop pump oxygen into the bottle before I quickly tighten the water bottle's cap. Must add more plants in the bottle so that the shrimps can cling onto the plants.

i will not put plants in the bottle as the plants will compete with the shrimps with oxygen. i will put a piece of white wool instead.

[vannel]

Actually, when the bag is inside the luggage, there is no light. Hence, plants would NOT photosynthesize and use up oxygen.

[ZackZhou]

Actually, when the bag is inside the luggage, there is no light. Hence, plants would NOT photosynthesize and use up oxygen.

Lol, vannel. plants would NOT photosynthesize and use up CARBON DIOXIDE. keep your facts right before you post something in CAPS.

Plant WILL BREATH and use up OXYGEN when there is no light.

[Jianyuan]

Plants photosynthesize and use up carbon dioxide. So if theres no light, plants will be taking in oxygen and fighting with the shrimps for the limited oxygen inside the bottle.

[newlife]

Just use kordon breathing bags will do the job...
But if you are traveling not far...short air trip....then no need all this hastle..
A normal bag will do....just need to keep and maintain the require temperature will do.

[vannel]

Oh. My bad on the above error. I apologise.

Sent from my BlackBerry 9700 using Tapatalk

[beetroot]

pardon me, newlife... when we declare shrimps through the red channel... err... what do we actually need to do? just show them the shrimps and we can pass through safely? need to pay tax or anything? sorry, never pass through any red channels before.... thanks!

[Kenng]

No problem. Anyway, it wasnt the box type that I used. That would have been a little oversized for a max of 30 shrimps. I bought mine from Giant for only 1 red note.

See below for a rough guide of the cooler jug:
http://www.coleman.com/coleman/colem...id=8510&brand=

The Coleman cooler jug will keep the temperature constant from the time you purchase the shrimps till they get on the flight and back to SG. It is also tough enough to withstand the pressure of a million other luggages stacked on top of it and is leakproof (even if the bag has not been tied up properly). I bought my shrimps the day before my flight and the shrimps were okay for the whole 30+ hours they were in the Coleman jug till they reached my tank. I also did not request for a "Fragile" sticker on my luggage since I had a hard case luggage. You might want to consider that if your luggage is the soft type.

Do note that you should have enough moss in the bag (not just a single sprig like they give you in SG's LFS. get abit more so it doesnt shake around with the water and it'll provide some biofilm for them to eat.) and you should not have too much water in the bag to maximise the amount of oxygen for travel.

Good Luck..!

Hmm... using Coleman cooler jug will be pretty air tight and do not allow oxygen going into the breather bags. Can?
And normally I don't put moss as they will possibly eat and poo and dirty the water condition.

[stormhawk]

If the travelling time is not long, that cooler box will work.