[Cougra]

Well, for any Canadians reading this thread and planning a trip to anywhere in the states to pick up something from the beach or even any livestock from the stores be warned that you need CITES permits to bring ANY living thing and even ANY sand, ANY rocks, collected sea shells (purchased with a recipt is ok), collected fossils (purchased with a recipt is ok), plants, algae and even collected water requires special permits. It's illegal to bring any of these across the boarder without declaring them.

I know that there are a lot of people who live along the boarder who frequently take day trips to the states to pick up a cool coral, cheap live rock or even some free macro algae. Be warned that this is illegal without the proper permits and is called SMUGGLING. If you get caught you can face up to a $10,000 fine (recent increase from the previous $2000) and / or up to 2 years in prison (this may be increasing as well). To top it all off should you be found guilty you wont be able to even visit the States again without having to apply for a VISA. Professed ignorance of the law is not an acceptable excess in the eyes of the court.
You'll also be pleased to note that after you've paid your fines and served your time, you'll be able to visit any live animals that make it through the boarder quarentine process at the Vancouver aquarium.

This could be the most expensive "Free Stuff" you ever collected.