(Draft Revision)  
 Quarantine Requirements for the Importation of Poultry and Birds 
 
(In case of any discrepancy between the English version and the Chinese text of these Requirements, the Chinese text 
shall govern.) 
 
1. In this document, the term “poultry and bird s” refers to live animals in the Class Aves. 
 2. Those poultry and birds requiring an import permit, as stipulated in the Animal Industry Act or 
Wildlife Conservation Act, shall obtain the perm it from relevant central competent authorities 
before applying for quarantine requirement documen ts with the animal quarantine authority of 
the importing country.  
 3. Poultry or birds shall be imported only from a country or zone recogni zed by central competent 
authorities of the importing country as free from highly pathogenic avian influenza. 
 4. Requirements for the importation of land fowls (i ncluding chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quails, 
guinea fowls, partridges, grouses, peafowl, ostriches, emus, and cassowaries etc.): 
 
4.1 The animals shall have been kept, for six mont hs prior to export or since hatching, in an 
enclosure regularly inspected by exporting government certified veterinarians who are also 
responsible for disease dia gnosis and notification.  
 4.2 The animal enclosure shall have been withou t any incident of contagious diseases  -- 
(1) for two years withou t Marek’s disease;  
(2) for one year without Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, pu llorum disease, avian 
infectious laryngotracheitis, fowl ch olera, or avian tuberculosis; and 
(3) for six months without H5 and H7 subtype  avian influenza, avia n chlamydiosis, avian 
encephalomyelitis, egg drop syndrome, avian in fectious bronchitis, avian mycoplasmosis 
cause by Mycoplasma gallisepticum , infectious synovitis caused by Mycoplasma synoviae , 
infectious coryza, fowlpox or fowl typhoid. 
 4.3 Before exportation, the animals shall (a) be detained for a 30-day quarantine in a facility 
designated and supervised by the exporting count ry’s animal quarantine authority; (b) be 
considered healthy and free from any di sease symptom during quarantine by animal 
quarantine inspectors; and (c) be subject to the following te sts – every animal shall be 
sampled; all test results must be negative – by the exporting country’s government laboratory 
or designated laboratory in compliance with th e “Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines 
for Terrestrial Animals” of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE):   
 (1) for H5 and H7 subtype avian influenza: antibody test and causal agent identification; 
 (2) for Newcastle disease: causal agent identification;   (3) for pullorum disease: serological test; and   (4) for avian mycoplasmosis cased by Mycoplasma gallisepticum  (only for chickens and turkeys; 
other land fowls are exempt): se rological tests twice at least 28 days apart; or, the enclosure 
is considered free of this disease by the e xporting country’s animal quarantine authority 
according to OIE’s Terrestrial Animal Health Code.  
 4.4 The animals must not be vaccinated ag ainst avian influenza or coccidiosis. 
Page 1 of 7  
4.5 The exporting country shall have been without a ny incident of West Nile fever for at least 
one year; or, the pre-export quarantine in Article 4.3 is conducted in a mo squito proof facility 
designated and supervised by the exporti ng country’s animal quarantine authority. 
 4.6 The animals must not come into contact with  any other poultry or birds prior to shipment. 
 4.7 Each consignment shall be accompanied by an  original veterinary certificate issued by 
exporting country’s animal quarantine authority, and the certificate sh all state the following 
information in the English language: 
 
4.7.1 The authority issuing the certificate (1) The exporting country; (2) Name of the issuing authority; (3) Name of the issuing department under the authority; (4) Place of issue: province,  district and so on; and 
(5) Reference number of  the certificate.  
 4.7.2. Identification of  the commodity (1) Name of the consignment; (2) Species: scientific name or common name; (3) Breed; (4) Identification number of each animal; and (5) Total quantity.  4.7.3. Enclosure of origin 
(1) Name and address of the exporter; 
(2) Place of origin of the animals:  province, district and so on; and 
(3) Name, registration number and ad dress of the animal enclosure. 
 4.7.4. Destination (1) Place of dispatch and exporting border post; (2) Country of destination; (3) Means of transport; (4) Date of departure; and (5) Name and address of the importer/consignee.  4.7.5. Zoosanitary information  (1) A statement that the exporting country is free from highly pathoge nic avian influenza; 
(2) A statement attesting that the animals are he althy and free from clinical evidence of any 
communicable disease; 
(3) Statements attesting that the animals are in  compliance with each of the Articles 4.1 to 4.6 
above; 
(4) Dates of pre-export quarantine  detention, dates of test sample  collections, name  of the test 
laboratory, and methods, dates, a nd results of the tests; and 
(5) Names and dates of vaccines administered.   4.7.6. Official stamp and signature (1) Official stamp of the issuing authority; (2) Place and date of issue; (3) Name, official position and address of the official veterinarian; and  
(4) Signature of the official veterinarian. 
Page 2 of 7  
5. Requirements for importation of waterfowls (including ducks, geese, swans, mandarin ducks, 
penguins, sandpipers, plovers, egrets, st orks, cranes, and rails etc.):   
 
5.1 The animals shall have been kept, for six mont hs prior to export or since hatching, in an 
enclosure regularly inspected by exporting government certified veterinarians who are also 
responsible for disease dia gnosis and notification.  
 5.2 The animal enclosure shall have been withou t any incident of contagious diseases --  
(1) for one year withou t Newcastle disease, paramyxovirus in fection, fowl cholera, duck virus 
enteritis, waterfowl parvovirus infe ction or avian tuberculosis; and 
(2) for six months without H5 and H7 subtype avian influenza, duck viral hepatitis or avian 
chlamydiosis. 
 5.3 Before exportation, the animals shall (a) be detained for a 30-day quarantine in a facility 
designated and supervised by the exporting count ry’s animal quarantine authority; (b) be 
considered healthy and free from any di sease symptom during quarantine by animal 
quarantine inspectors; and (c) be subject to the following te sts – every animal shall be 
sampled; all test results must be negativ e  – by the exporting country’s government 
laboratory or designated laborat ory in compliance with OIE’s “Manual of Diagnostic Tests 
and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals”:  
 (1) for H5 and H7 subtype avian influenza: antibody test and causal agent identification; 
 (2) for Newcastle disease and ot her paramyxovirus infection: cau sal agent identif ication; and 
 
(3) for duck virus enteritis (only for animals in the Family Anatidae of the Order Anseriformes; 
other waterfowl are exempt): serum neutralization test or causal agent identification. 
 
5.4 The animals must not be vaccin ated against avian influenza. 
 5.5 The exporting country shall have been without a ny incident of West Nile fever for at least 
one year; or, the pre-export quarantine in Article 5.3 is conducted in a mo squito proof facility 
designated and supervised by the exporti ng country’s animal quarantine authority. 
 5.6 The animals must not come into contact with any other poultry or birds prior to shipment.  
 5.7 Each consignment shall be accompanied by an  original veterinary certificate issued by 
exporting country’s animal quarantine authority, and the certificate sh all state the following 
information in the English language: 
 
5.7.1 The authority issuing the certificate (1) The exporting country; (2) Name of the issuing authority; (3) Name of the issuing department under the authority; (4) Place of issue: province,  district and so on; and 
(5) Reference number of  the certificate.  
 5.7.2. Identification of the commodity (1) Name of the consignment; (2) Species: scientific name or common name; (3) Breed; 
Page 3 of 7 (4) Identification number of each animal; and 
(5) Total quantity.  5.7.3. Enclosure of origin (1) Name and address of the exporter; (2) Place of origin of the animals:  province, district and so on; and 
(3) Name, registration number and ad dress of the animal enclosure. 
 5.7.4. Destination (1) Place of dispatch and exporting border post; (2) Country of destination; (3) Means of transport; (4) Date of departure; and (5) Name and address of the importer/consignee.  5.7.5. Zoosanitary information (1) A statement that the exporting country is free from highly pathoge nic avian influenza; 
(2) A statement attesting that the animals are he althy and free from clinical evidence of any 
communicable disease; 
(3) Statements attesting that the animals are in  compliance with each of the Articles 5.1 to 5.6 
above; 
(4) Dates of pre-export quarantine  detention, dates of test sample  collections, name  of the test 
laboratory, and methods, dates, a nd results of the tests; and 
(5) Names and dates of vaccines administered.  5.7.6. Official stamp and signature 
 (1) Official stamp of  the issuing authority; 
 (2) Place and date of issue; 
 (3) Name, official position and addre ss of the official veterinarian; and 
 (4) Signature of the official veterinarian.  
6. Requirements for the importation of  birds (including pigeons, parrots  and other birds of flight):  
 
6.1 For a consignment of five birds or less: 
 
6.1.1 Prior to export, the animals shall have been kept in the exporting country for six months 
or since hatching. 
 6.1.2 the animal enclosure shall have been without any incident of contagious diseases --  (1) for one year without Newcastle disease,  pullorum disease, fowl cholera or avian 
tuberculosis; and  
(2) for six months without H5 and H7 subtype  avian influenza, avia n chlamydiosis, avian 
mycoplasmosis caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum  or infectious coryza.  
 6.1.3 Before exportation, the animals shall (a) be detained for a 30- day quarantine in a 
facility designated and supervised by the exporting country’s animal quarantine 
authority; (b) be considered healthy and free from any disease symptom during 
quarantine by animal quarantine inspectors; and (c) be subject to  the following tests – 
every animal shall undergo the test; all test results must be negative -- by the exporting 
country’s government laborat ory or designated laboratory in compliance with OIE’s 
“Manual of Diagnostic Tests and V accines for Terrestrial Animals”:  
 
Page 4 of 7 (1) for H5 or H7 subtype avian influenza: antib ody test or causal agent identification; and  
 
(2) for Newcastle disease: causal agent identification. 
 6.1.4 The animals must not be vaccin ated against avian influenza. 
 6.1.5 The exporting country shall have been withou t any incident of West Nile fever for at 
least one year; or, the pre-e xport quarantine in Article 6.1.3 is conducted in a mosquito 
proof facility designated and supervised by the exporting country’s animal quarantine 
authority. 
 6.1.6 During the pre-export quarantine stipulated  in Article 6.1.3, all birds in the Family 
Psittacidae shall be administered with chlortetracycline, doxcycline or medication deemed of equivalent efficacy in treati ng or preventing avian chlamydiosis by the 
exporting country’s animal  quarantine authority.  
 6.1.7 The animals must not come into contact with any other poultry or birds prior to 
shipment. 
 
6.2 For a consignment of six birds or more: 
 
6.2.1 The animals shall have been kept, for six mont hs prior to export or since hatching, in an 
enclosure regularly inspected by exporting government certified veterinarians who are also responsible for diseas e diagnosis and notification. 
 6.2.2 The animal enclosure shall have been without any incident of contagious diseases --  
(1) for one year without Newcastle disease,  pullorum disease, fowl cholera or avian 
tuberculosis; and  
(2) for six months without H5 or H7 subtype  avian influenza, av ian chlamydiosis, or 
infectious coryza.   
 
6.2.3 Before exportation, the animals shall (a) be detained for a 30- day quarantine in a 
facility designated and supervised by the exporting country’s animal quarantine 
authority; (b) be considered healthy and free from any disease symptom during 
quarantine by animal quarantine inspectors, and (c) be subject to following tests –all test 
results must be negative -- by the expo rting country’s government laboratory or 
designated laboratory in compliance with OIE’s “Manual of Diagnostic Tests and 
Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals”. Twenty bird s shall be sampled in each consignment. 
For a consignment of 20 or less than  20 birds, every bird shall be sampled.  
 (1) for H5 or H7 subtype avian influenza: antib ody test or causal agent identification; and 
 (2) for Newcastle disease: causal agent identification. 
 6.2.4 The animals must not be vaccin ated against avian influenza. 
 6.2.5 The exporting country shall have been withou t any incident of West Nile fever for at 
least one year; or, the pre-e xport quarantine in Article 6.2.3 is conducted in a mosquito 
proof facility designated and supervised by the exporting country’s animal quarantine 
authority. 
 
Page 5 of 7 6.2.6 During the pre-export quarantine stipulated  in Article 6.2.3, all birds in the Family 
Psittacidae shall be administered with chlortetracycline, doxcycline or medication 
deemed of equivalent efficacy in treati ng or preventing avian chlamydiosis by the 
exporting country’s animal  quarantine authority.  
 6.2.7 The animals must not come into contact with any other poultry or birds prior to 
shipment.  
 6.3 Each consignment shall be accompanied by an  original veterinary certificate issued by 
exporting country’s animal quarantine authority, and the certificate sh all state the following 
information in the English language: 
 
6.3.1 The authority issuing the certificate (1) The exporting country; (2) Name of the issuing authority; (3) Name of the issuing department under the authority; (4) Place of issue: province,  district and so on; and  
(5) Reference number of  the certificate.  
 6.3.2 Identification of the commodity (1) Name of the consignment; (2) Species: scientific name; (3) Identification number of each animal; and (4) Total quantity.  6.3.3 Enclosure of origin 
(1) Name and address of the exporter; 
(2) Place of origin of the animals: province, district and so on; and  
(3) Name of the animal enclosure (exempt for a consignment of five or less than five birds) 
and address. 
 6.3.4 Destination (1) Place of dispatch and exporting border post; (2) Country of destination; (3) Means of transport; (4) Date of departure; and (5) Name and address of the importer/consignee.  6.3.5 Zoosanitary information  (1) A statement that the exporting country is free from highly pathoge nic avian influenza; 
(2) A statement attesting that the animals are he althy and free from clinical evidence of any 
communicable disease; 
(3) For a consignment of five birds or less, a statement attesting that the animals are in 
compliance with Article 6.1 above; 
(4) For a consignment of six birds or more, a statement attesting that the animals are in 
compliance with Article 6.2 above; 
(5) Dates of pre-export quarantine  detention, dates of test sample  collections, name  of the test 
laboratory, and methods, dates, a nd results of the tests; and  
(6) Names and dates of vaccines administered.   6.3.6 Official stamp and signature (1) Official stamp of the issuing authority; 
Page 6 of 7 (2) Place and date of issue; 
(3) Name, official position and addre ss of the official veterinarian; and 
(4) Signature of the official veterinarian. 
 7. The animals shall be transported in cargo holds with clean and sealed c ontainers treated with 
disinfectant approved by the e xporting country’s competent authority. The animals shall not 
transit through any port in a c ountry/zone where highly pathogenic  avian influenza is known to 
occur. No additional feed, fodder, bedding or poultry/birds can be loaded en route to the 
destination. The means of trans port and transit shall comply w ith OIE’s Terrestrial Animal 
Health Code and Live Animal Regulations of  the International Air Transport Association 
(IATA). 
 8. Post-entry quarantine 
8.1 The animals will be allowed entry only upon the confirmation, by the animal quarantine 
authority of the importing country, of a space rese rved in the post-entry quarantine facility 
where the animals shall be deta ined for 10 days upon arrival. 
 
8.2 The central competent authority of this country  will announce the effective date of the Post-
entry Quarantine Requirements for Birds (oth er than land fowls and waterfowls).  
 
Page 7 of 7