Can/how-to bring our pet snake into the US from Alberta?

[mimi and sean 9]

My fiance will be coming to US on K-1 visa in April, he would like to bring his pet ball python with him, and we are wondering if anyone has any info on how to import a snake into the US. Any help is much appreciated!

[Inky 1,110]

Boa, Pet

Do I need a permit to import or export my pet boa? All snakes in the Boidae family (boas, pythons) are listed in CITES Appendix I or II. Some are also listed as endangered or threatened under the ESA. Commonly held pets, such as the boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) [excluding the Argentine boa (B. c. occidentalis) which is listed in Appendix I], ball python (Python regius), and reticulated python (P. reticulatus), are listed in Appendix II. Check the lists to determine how the boa you own is protected. (If the species name is not individually listed on the CITES list, the species is listed in Appendix II.)

• To export an Appendix-II species from the United States, you need a CITES permit. Click here for an application form. Contact the foreign country to meet its requirements.
• To import an Appendix-II or Appendix-I pet snake into the United States, you need a CITES permit issued by the exporting country.
• To import a snake listed in Appendix I you may also need a permit from us unless the foreign country has issued a CITES bred-in-captivity certificate. To import a snake listed under the ESA, you need a permit from us. Click here for an application form.
• You must import or export your pet boa through a designated port unless you have received a port exception permit. You must notify the FWS wildlife inspection office at the port of entry or exit at least 48 hours in advance, present our declaration formto the wildlife inspectors, and receive clearance from us prior to export or at the time of import. We will validate any U.S. CITES permits during this clearance process.

http://www.fws.gov/permits/faqs/FaqB.html

You also need to find out if this snake is even legal to own in the state you intend on living in.

This is the exact reason I did not import my fish - permits and having to cross at a specific border at a specific time and dealing with all kinds of red tape!