Travelling with Ginseng
Last updated: October 15, 2026
Taking Canadian ginseng to family in China, Hong Kong or Taiwan is legal. Whole and sliced roots need a CITES export permit. Powder, tea and other processed products don't. When you buy roots from us, we get the permit paperwork ready for you, free of charge.
Do I need a permit to take ginseng out of Canada?
For whole or sliced roots, yes. American ginseng is listed under CITES, the international treaty on endangered species, so exporting cultivated root takes a CITES export permit from the Canadian Wildlife Service. The Government of Canada says tourists get no exemption. Any amount of root needs a permit. (Government of Canada, American ginseng)
Which ginseng products need a permit?
| Product | CITES export permit? |
|---|---|
| Whole roots, fresh or dried | Required |
| Sliced roots | Required |
| Powder, pills, extracts, tonics, tea, confectionery | Not required (processed products) |
| Live plants and seeds | Not required |
Sources: Ontario Ginseng Growers Association and Government of Ontario, Ginseng production.
What does 4.5 kilograms mean?
The Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA) explains it like this. If you carry less than 4.5 kilograms of cultivated North American ginseng root out of Canada, a CITES export permit must be attached to each package. If you carry more than 4.5 kilograms, you need a commercial CITES export permit. So root always travels with a permit, and the 4.5 kg mark only decides which kind. The country you are flying to has its own import rules, so check with its customs office before you go.
Can I take wild ginseng out of Canada?
No. Canada only allows trade in cultivated American ginseng, and exporting wild ginseng is prohibited.
What happens if I leave without a permit?
Exporting without the required permit is an offence under federal law. For an individual, a summary conviction can mean a fine of up to $25,000, and serious offences carry more. It is much easier to get the permit when you buy.
What does the permit look like?
This is a real CITES export permit issued to Fosetter for American ginseng. We have hidden the permit numbers, the names and the signature. When you buy whole or sliced roots, the permit comes with sticker permits, and one sticker goes on each package.
The government's instructions for the sticker say three things. Each package can hold at most 4.5 kilograms, written in kilograms. Each sticker can name only one final destination country. The ginseng has to arrive in that country before the permit's valid-until date.
What do we provide when you buy?
Fosetter is an authorized Canadian ginseng retailer and appears on the OGGA buyer list. When you buy whole or sliced roots, we give you the documents you need, including the CITES export permit, at no charge. Come see us at 78 Rue De La Gauchetière Ouest in Montreal's Chinatown, or call (514) 861-9339 and tell us about your trip.
Quick answers
Can I take ginseng tea without a permit? Yes. The OGGA lists tea as an exempt processed product.
What about ginseng powder? Same answer. Powder needs no CITES export permit.
Who do I ask about the rules at my destination? The customs or agriculture office of the country you are travelling to.