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Overview
Travelers frequently ask about taking their pets with them
to the United States. All such importation is subject to health,
quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and
prohibitions. Pets taken out of the United States and returned are
subject to the same requirements as those entering for the first
time.
Sadly, pets
excluded from entry into the United States must either be exported
or destroyed. While awaiting disposition, pets will be detained
at the owner's expense at the port of arrival.
The U.S. Public Health Service
requires that pet dogs and cats brought into this country be examined
at the first port of entry for evidence of diseases that can be
transmitted to humans. Dogs coming from areas not free of rabies
must be accompanied by a valid rabies vaccination certificate. Turtles
are subject to certain restrictions, and monkeys may not be imported
as pets under any circumstances.
The U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service is concerned
with the importation, trade, sale, and taking of wildlife and with
protecting endangered plant and animal species. Some wildlife species
of dogs, cats, turtles, reptiles, and birds, although imported as
pets, may be listed as endangered. Endangered and threatened animal
and plant wildlife, migratory birds, marine mammals, and certain
injurious wildlife may not be imported without special federal permits.
Sportsmen will find the section on wildlife of particular interest,
since game birds and animals are subject to special entry requirements.
You should also
check with state, county, and municipal authorities for local restrictions
on importing pets.
Transportation
& Handling
All birds and animals must be imported under healthy, humane
conditions. U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations require
that careful arrangements be made with the carrier for suitable
cages, space, ventilation, and protection from the elements. Cleaning,
feeding, watering, and other necessary services must be provided.
Under the Animal Welfare Act, the Department of Agriculture is responsible
for setting the standards concerning the transportation, handling,
care, and treatment of animals.
Every imported
container of pets, or package of animal parts or products, must
be plainly marked, labeled or tagged on the outside with the names
and addresses of the shipper and consignee, along with an accurate
invoice specifying the number of each species contained in the shipment.
Since hours
of service and availability of inspectors from the other agencies
involved may vary from port to port, you are strongly urged to check
with your anticipated port of arrival before importing a pet or
other animal. This will assure expeditious processing and reduce
the possibility of unnecessary delays.
Customs
Duty
Dogs, cats, and turtles are free of duty. Other pets imported
into the United States, if subject to a customs duty, may be included
in your customs exemption if they accompany you and are imported
for your personal use and not for sale.
Purebred
Animals
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) (contact information is listed
at the bottom of this page).
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
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(California
reservations should be made in Los Angeles.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HELP!
All regulations
cannot be covered in detail, and regulations are subject to change.
If you plan to enter the U.S. with a pet, contact your nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy or
the specific agency mentioned. Their addresses and websites are:
U.S. Customs
Service
Washington, DC 20229
Tel. (202) 927-6724
http://www.customs.gov
U.S. Public
Health Service
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Quarantine (E-03)
Atlanta, GA 30333
Tel. (404)639-8107
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm
and
http://www.cdc.gov/od/ohs/biosfty/imprtper.htm
National
Center for Import and Export
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Unit 40
Riverdale, MD 20737-1234
Tel. (301)734-3277
Fax (301)734-8226
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ncie
To obtain
wildlife permits:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Managment Authority
4401
N. Fairfax Drive, Room 700
Arlington, Virginia 22203
Tel. 1-800-358-2104
Fax (703)358-2281
http://www.fws.gov
(International Affairs)
To learn clearance
requirements for fish and wildlife:
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Office of Law Enforcement
P.O.
Box 3247
Arlington, Virginia 22203
http://www.fws.gov
(Law Enforcement)
The
information provided in this website is not legal advice and should
not be interpreted as legal advice. This website is intended to
provide a basic understanding of this information in summary form.
This information may not be comprehensive, is subject to change,
and may not apply to all individual circumstances. Any information
received here should be confirmed with the appropriate government
agencies or with an attorney, particularly as it relates to your
individual circumstances. Your use of this website indicates your
agreement to be bound by our Terms
of Use.
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