USDA - APHIS - Import

Live Animals

There are many different processes involved with importing different species of live animals into the United States. View the pages below to learn more about these processes, including the guidelines and regulations, permits and certification, and associated user fees.

For better service, importers (or other applicants seeking to import live animals, semen or embryos) may submit applications to the National Center for Import and Export via a dedicated email address:
VS-Live.Animals_Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov

Online Submission Process for Live Animal Import Permits

Importers with an existing Level 2 eAuthentication can now access ePermits to create and submit a completed application (VS Form 17-129) for an import or transit permit for APHIS-regulated live animals and their germplasm (genetic resources). For instructions on how to obtain a Level 2 eAuthentication authorization, and for additional information about electronic submissions, please go to http://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/permits/

Important Updates

Information Regarding the Newcastle and Avian Influenza Vaccination Status of Imported Shipments of Birds, Poultry or Eggs for Hatching

Under an APHIS regulation that became effective January 24, 2011, live avians (and the flocks of origin for hatching eggs) that are imported into the U.S. may now be vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus). Vaccination against Newcastle disease is an elective option and is not a requirement for import. However, if importers elect to import avians (or hatching eggs from vaccinated flocks) that have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease, the vaccination must occur at least 21 days prior to importation, Vaccines containing velogenic strains of Newcastle disease may not be used. Regardless of vaccination status, live avians or hatching eggs must test negative for Newcastle disease (all strains) by a virus isolation test at the time of entry. Any shipments found to be positive for Newcastle disease by virus isolation will be refused entry into the United States.

Also under APHIS’ new regulations, avians (and flocks of origin for hatching eggs) may not be vaccinated against any H5 and H7 subtypes of avian influenza.

Health certificates that accompany imported live avian shipments must indicate that:

Birds or poultry were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza.
The shipment will not transit through any regions where APHIS considers highly pathogenic avian influenza to exist, as listed here on this web page.
The birds or poultry have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus) at least 21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus. OR:
Birds or poultry have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease

The health certificates that accompany hatching egg shipments must indicate that:

Flocks of origin for the hatching eggs were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza.
The shipment will not transit through any regions where APHIS considers highly pathogenic avian influenza to exist, as listed here on this web page.
The flocks of origin have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus) at least 21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus. OR:
The flocks of origin have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease.

Contact Us:
If you have any questions, or require further information related to imports or export of live animals, birds or germplasm, please contact National Center for Import and Export at (301) 851-3300, or send an email to VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov.

Live Ruminants (pdf 98kb)
Questions and Answers for Ruminants Imported from Canada (pdf 41kb)

Birds

Canine

Canine Semen and Embryos - Import requirements for canine semen and embryos from countries affected with foot-and-mouth disease.

Cattle and Other Ruminants

Addendum for Rest Stops for Breeding Cattle from the United States and Canada - May 2008 (pdf 24kb)
Cattle - Guidelines for the importation of cattle ruminants (except from Canada and Mexico) into the United States, including general requirements and necessary permits and certification.
Cattle from Canada (pdf 27kb)
EU Bovine Semen Health Certificate and EU Bovine Embryo Health Certificate
Protocol (Domestic Camelids from Canada) (pdf 18kb)
Protocol (Feeder bovines from Mexico) (pdf 80kb)
Protocol (Breeder bovines from Mexico) (pdf 45kb)
Protocol (Slaughter Cattle from Mexico) (pdf 64kb)
Model Health Certificate (Slaughter Cattle from Mexico) (pdf 1.50mb)
Questions and Answers Transit Canadian Bovines to Mexico (pdf 22kb)
Transit Canadian Bovines to Mexico (pdf 28kb)
US Breeding Cattle to Mexico (pdf 21kb)

Equine

Protocol for the Importation of Equines
Importing Horses from Canada (pdf 20kb)

Importing Horses from Countries Affected with Screwworm

7-day Quarantine

Foot and Mouth Disease

Contagious Equine Metritis

SVC Susceptible Species

Fish, Fertilized Eggs, and Gametes - At the current time, APHIS is developing certain import restrictions that will apply to shipments of live fish, fertilized eggs or gametes from SVC-susceptible species that are imported to the United States. Please contact Dr. Peter Merrill at the USDA APHIS VS National Center for Import and Export, 301-734-0649, for more information.

Importing Sheep

Sheep - view the certification form for importing sheep from Canada.
Sheep from Canada Feeding (pdf 20kb)
Protocol for US-origin sheep and goat movements through Canada from one US location to a second US location (pdf 34kb)
Procedures for shipments of Canadian-origin sheep and goats transiting the US by air or land/air to a third country. (pdf 40kb)

Swine

Breeding Swine Import Protocol from European Union Recognized as Low-Risk for Classical Swine Fever (pdf 22kb)
EU Live Swine Import Health Certificate (pdf 33kb)

Miscellaneous Animals

Protocol for the Importation of Elephants, Rhinos, Hippos and Tapirs (pdf 49kb)