Purebred
animals other than domesticated livestock that are imported for breeding
purposes are free of duty under certain conditions. A declaration
is required to show that the importer is a citizen of the United States;
that the animal is imported specifically for breeding purposes; that
it is identical with the description in the certificate of pedigree
presented; and that it is registered in the country of origin in a
book of registry recognized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
An application to the Department of Agriculture on VS
Form 17-338 for a certificate of pure breeding must be furnished
before the animal is examined at the designated port of entry. For
complete details, contact the National
Center for Import and Export of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's
(USDA) Animal
and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Cats
All domestic cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable
to humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not
in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian
may be required at the owner's expense. Cats arriving in Hawaii or
Guam, both of which are free of rabies, are subject to that state’s/
territory’s quarantine requirements.
Dogs
Domestic dogs must be free of evidence of diseases communicable to
humans when examined at the port of entry. If the animal is not in
apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian
may be required at the owner's expense.
Dogs must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days before entering
the United States. This requirement does not apply, however, to puppies
less than three months of age or to dogs originating or located for
at least six months in areas designated by the U.S. Public Health
Service as being rabies-free.
The following procedures pertain to dogs arriving from areas that
are not free of rabies:
A valid rabies vaccination certificate should accompany the animal.
This certificate should be in English or be accompanied by a translation.
It should identify the animal, the dates of vaccination and expiration,
and be signed by a licensed veterinarian. If no expiration date is
specified, the certificate is acceptable if the date of vaccination
is no more than 12 months before the date of arrival.
If a vaccination has not been performed, or if the certificate is
not valid, the animal may be admitted if it is confined immediately
upon arrival at a place of the owner's choosing. The dog must be vaccinated
within four days after arrival at the final destination, but no more
than 10 days after arrival at the port of entry. The animal must remain
in confinement for at least 30 days after being vaccinated.
If the vaccination was performed less than 30 days before arrival,
the animal may be admitted but must be confined at a place of the
owner's choosing until at least 30 days have passed since the vaccination.
Young puppies must be confined at a place of the owner's choosing
until they are three months old, then they must be vaccinated. They
must remain in confinement for 30 days.
Dogs that arrive in Hawaii or Guam, both of which are free of rabies,
are subject to the state’s or territory’s quarantine requirements,
in addition to whatever other Public Health Service requirements,
above, apply.
Birds
All birds -- those taken out of the country as well as those being
returned -- are subject to controls and restrictions. In addition,
nearly all birds coming into the country require a permit
from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service.
To prevent outbreaks of the exotic Newcastle disease, the following
U.S. Department of Agriculture controls and restrictions have been
in effect since January 1980:
Birds must be quarantined upon arrival for at least 30 days in a USDA-operated
facility at the owner's expense. These facilities are located at the
following ports of entry:
New York, NY
(718)553-1727
San Ysidro, CA
(310 )215-2352 McAllen, TX
(210) 782-7995
Los Angeles, CA
(310)215-1314 Miami, FL
(305) 526-2926
A 30-day quarantine costs approximately $200 per bird; cost is subject
to change.
Quarantine space must be reserved in advance by submitting VS
Form 17-23 with the full amount. The form is available from USDA
offices, American consulates, and embassies.
A health certificate executed by the national veterinarian of the
country of export must accompany the bird. The certificate must have
been executed no more than 30 days prior to the bird’s arrival.
This certificate must affirm that the bird has been examined, that
it shows no evidence of communicable disease, and that it is being
exported in accordance with the laws of that country. VS Form 17-23
may be used for this purpose.
The bird must be removed from the quarantine facility within five
days of notification of release. It is the owner’s responsibility
to arrange for the bird’s transportation and to pay the costs
of quarantine.
Birds from Canada that have been in the owner's possession for at
least 90 days before importation and that are found healthy upon veterinary
inspection at one of the Canadian border ports of entry where veterinarians
are stationed are exempt from the 30-day quarantine.
Pet birds originating in the United States may be re-imported without
being quarantined if they are accompanied by a United States veterinary
health certificate and, if necessary, a permit from the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service. This health certificate must be obtained prior
to departure from the United States and must include a leg band or
tattoo number.
Pet birds must be kept separate and apart from all other birds and
poultry while outside the United States.
Federal permits are required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
for the importation and exportation of most bird species listed under
the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, endangered
birds and native species, including feathers, parts and mounted specimens,
and certain live injurious species. In addition, foreign wildlife
permits may be required. Be sure to check with the foreign country
for its wildlife requirements. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service clearance
is required to import and export all non-domestic birds and their
parts and products.
Because certain States administer their own regulations to protect
wildlife and animal health, you should contact appropriate State officials
to learn about State requirements, if any, when making importation
arrangements.
Turtles
Live turtles with shells less than four inches long (linear measure)
may not be imported for commercial purposes. An individual may import
live turtles with shells less than four inches long and may also import
viable turtle eggs, provided that for each arrival, there is no more
than one lot containing fewer than seven viable turtle eggs, or any
combination thereof totaling less than seven
There are no Public Health Service restrictions on the importation
of live turtles with a shell longer than four inches. Turtles are
subject to all requirements of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,
which are outlined below.
Monkeys
Monkeys and other primates may be brought into the United States for
scientific, educational or exhibition purposes by importers who are
registered with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
However, under no circumstances may they be imported as pets. Registered
importers who wish to import or export primates for a permitted purpose
in accordance with CDC requirements are also required to obtain clearance
from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) requires that all primates have
permits.
Wildlife
The following categories of wildlife and fish are subject to certain
prohibitions, restrictions, permit and quarantine requirements:
Mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, insects, crustaceans, mollusks,
and other invertebrates.
Any part or products, such as feathers, skins, eggs; and articles
manufactured from wildlife.
Federal laws prohibit the importation or transportation of any wildlife
or wildlife parts that violate state or foreign laws.
The following ports are designated for entry of all fish and wildlife:
Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Honolulu, Los
Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, New York/Newark, Portland, San Francisco,
and Seattle. All such packages and containers must be marked, labeled
or tagged to plainly indicate the name and address of the shipper
and consignee, and the number and nature of contents. Wildlife in
any form, including pets, imported into or exported from the United
States must be declared and cleared on U.S. Fish and Wildlife Form
3-177 (Declaration for Importation or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife)
by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service prior to release by U.S. Customs.
Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for further clearance requirements
and for a copy of the pamphlets Facts About Federal Wildlife Laws
and Buyer Beware. Also contact the National Center for Import and
Export of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (contact
information is listed at the bottom of this page ) for information
about importing animal and bird products such as hides, eggs, feathers,
etc.
Game: Birds & Other Animals
Game birds and animals, other than protected species, that are legally
taken by United States residents in Canada or Mexico may be imported
for non-commercial purposes at any Customs port of entry and declared
on a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Form 3-177. Game must be accompanied by
a valid hunting license, tags, stamps, and by an export document from
the country where taken, if such is required. Only United States residents
may import game free of duty.
United States residents may only import migratory game birds that
they themselves have legally killed. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
has regulations regarding the number and species of migratory game
birds that may be imported from Canada, Mexico, and other countries.
Hunters should familiarize themselves with the restrictions on migratory
game birds taken legally during open season in other countries; hunter
should also be aware that some countries require wildlife export permits.
Certain U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) restrictions may also
apply. Contact the USDA's Plant Protection and Quarantine Veterinary
Medical Office for more information.
Game birds and waterfowl that are being imported as trophies must
be sent to a taxidermy facility that has been approved by the USDA’s
Veterinary Services. A list of approved taxidermists in a particular
state can be obtained from the Animal Products Staff, National Center
for Import-Export; telephone 301-734-3277.
Bones, horns and hoofs that are imported as trophies may be imported
without further restrictions if they are clean, dry and free of undried
pieces of hide, flesh, or sinew. Many animals, game birds, products,
and byproducts from such animals and game birds are prohibited, or
allowed only restricted, entry into the United States. Specific requirements
vary according to the country of export; for more information about
importations by country, contact the National Center for Import and
Export of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant
Health Inspection Service (APHIS) (contact information is listed at
the bottom of this page).
Endangered Species
The United States is a party in the Convention on International Trade
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES.
This treaty regulates trade in endangered species of wildlife, plants
and their products. International trade in species listed by CITES
is illegal unless authorized by permit. Items prohibited by CITES
include, but are not limited to, articles made from whale teeth, ivory,
tortoise shell, reptile, fur skins, coral, and birds. Permits to import
into or export from the United States and re-export certificates are
issued by the Office of Management Authority of the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service (contact information is listed at the bottom of this
page). Information on wildlife and plants, including lists of endangered
species, may be obtained from that agency.
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