Bringing in Pets and Wildlife

The U.S. Public Health Service requires that all imported pets be examined for evidence of any disease that can be transmitted to humans, and the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) requires that animals and birds - both domestic and wild - be free from any disease that could threaten our country's livestock and poultry industries.

It's important to note the United States restricts or prohibits the importation and exportation of animals and birds protected by the international treaty of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). For applicable restrictions and the documentation required for your animal's admittance into the States, contact:

U.S. Public Health Service
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Division of Quarantine (EQ3)
1600 Clifton Road N.E.
Atlanta, GA 30333, U.S.A.
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dq/animal.htm
Phone: (404) 639-8107
Fax: (404) 639-2599

For information about importing live animals or animal products, call the USDA APHIS information hotline at (301) 734-4952.

The transporting of any animal takes considerable planning by its owner. For example, you might be able to expedite the clearance procedure by writing to the veterinarian at the port of entry and notifying him or her of your pet's flight number and expected time of arrival. It's also a good idea to schedule your pet's arrival for a weekday when the personnel necessary to clear your pet are on duty.

Before attempting to import a pet, check with authorities from your state, country and municipal governments for any restrictions they might have in place. 

• Birds
  Customs Regulations: Upon arrival in the U.S., birds acquired abroad (other than Canada) must be quarantined for at least 30 days in a facility operated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

  U.S.-origin birds out of the States for more than 60 days may be quarantined at the owner's home for 30 days if they: are accompanied by a U.S. veterinarian health certificate and a tattoo or number leg band for identification purposes, both received prior to departure from the U.S.: are inspected at a USDA veterinarian inspection station at the first port of entry (any international airport); and haven't been in contact with poultry or other birds while outside the U.S.

  Documents Required: For birds acquired abroad (other than Canada), a health certificate from the bird's origin country must be completed 30 days prior to entry into the U.S. Quarantine space must be reserved in advance via VS Form 17-23. Special permits might be required by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for bird products (such as mounted birds) or certain live birds.

  Remarks: Contact: Division of Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Room 520, Arlington, VA 22203-3247, U.S.A.
  Phone: (703) 358-1949
  Fax: (703) 358-2271

• Cats
  Customs Regulations: Must be free from disease. If not in good health, an examination by a veterinarian might be required at the owner's expense.

• Dogs
  Documents Required: A valid rabies vaccination certificate must accompany a dog vaccinated a month or more before arrival. If a dog was vaccinated for rabies less than one month prior to arrival, it will be admitted, but must be confined by the owner for at least 30 days after the vaccination. A dog that has not been vaccinated may be admitted, provided the owner has it vaccinated within 10 days of arrival and confined for a subsequent 30 days.

• Feathers, furs, skins, tusks, etc. of animals protected by law
  Customs Regulations: Importation prohibited. Items include ivory products (except antiques at least 100 years old), sea turtle products (including tortoiseshell items), and items made from such endangered or threatened animals as the cheetah, jaguar and tiger.

  Remarks: Contact: Division of Law Enforcement, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 North Fairfax Dr., Room 520, Arlington, VA 22203-3247, U.S.A.
  Phone: (703) 358-1949
  Fax: (703) 358-2271

• Fruits, vegetables and plants
  Customs Regulations: Plants, plant products, fruits and vegetables must be declared to customs and presented to a customs officer for inspection. Numerous restrictions have been placed on the importation of endangered plants.

  Documents Required: A permit from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) may be required, depending on the type of plant. A permit also may be required from the plant's origin country.

  Remarks: All plants must be free of soil, sand and earth. Some plants need to be inspected at certain inspection stations. Others do not require permits and can be carried as personal baggage when you enter the U.S. Check with the USDA.

• Gifts
  Customs Regulations: Returning residents may send to people in the U.S. bona-fide gifts of up to $50 in total value free of duty, as long as each recipient does not receive more than $50 in gifts on the day they are processed by customs. From American Samoa, Guam or the U.S. Virgin Islands, the total value gift limit is $100.

  For non-residents, gifts brought to the U.S. up to a combined value of $100 are exempted from duty.

  Remarks: Do not declare mailed gifts upon your return to the U.S. Gifts accompanying you do not qualify for exemption. Make a list of these gifts (if any) and keep receipts of purchase.