International Pet Bird Travel: 

Bringing Pet Birds Back to the U.S. 

(i.e., Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or Exotic Newcastle Disease). Finally, your pet bird must meet all other import requirements 

outlined in this document. 

Plan ahead and follow these steps to bring your pet bird back to the 

U.S. from a foreign country other than Canada or Mexico.

To prevent the spread of avian diseases, birds coming into the United 

States (U.S.) are subject to quarantine. Pet birds meeting certain criteria 

may undergo this quarantine at home. First, your birds must be of U.S. 

origin, meaning born or purchased in the U.S. Second, your bird must not 

have traveled to a country affected by an avian foreign animal disease 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

Veterinary Services

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

Avoid Problems with Your Return; Know the U.S. Re-Entry Import Pet Bird Requirements

Step 1. Locating a copy of your pet bird’s U.S. Origin Health 

Certificate and CITES document

Before you can return to the U.S. with your pet bird, you must have in 

your possession a photocopy of your bird’s U.S. Origin Health Certificate, which would have been issued PRIOR to departure from the 

U.S., and/or a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 

document (if applicable).

Note: If your bird is a CITES species, or if you are not sure, contact 

the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services for entry requirements, 

1-800-358-2104 • http://www.fws.gov.

Step 2. Requesting an Import Permit for your pet bird

Prior to bringing your pet bird back to the U.S., you must contact 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health 

Inspection Service (APHIS)’s Veterinary Services (VS) to request an 

Import Permit. The Import Permit application web page is located at: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/bring-pet-into-theunited-states/pet-travel-birds-into-us

At this site you will find step-by-step instructions on the import application and fees and payment options for processing the application. 

The minimum estimated fees for pet bird importation are $650.

You can expect to receive your permit approximately 7-10 business 

days after submitting your application. 

Step 3. Acquiring a veterinary health certificate

Within 30 days before returning to the U.S. with your 

pet bird, you need to request a health certificate from the 

country you are leaving. 

It must be stamped by an official veterinarian of that country.

Step 4. Contacting the VS Port Veterinarian prior to 

U.S. arrival

Before you begin your trip back to the U.S., be sure to contact the 

VS Port Veterinarian to confirm your arrival date and time. Contact 

information for this office is located on your USDA Import Permit. If 

you anticipate arriving outside normal business hours, you may incur 

additional fees. 

Step 5. Meeting with the VS Port Veterinarian on arrival 

at the port of entry

When you arrive in the U.S. with your pet bird at the port of entry, you 

must have these documents with you:

1. U.S. Origin Health Certificate (see step 1)

2. CITES document (if needed) 

3. USDA Import Permit (see step 2)

4. Current veterinary health certificate (see step 3)

A VS Port Veterinarian must examine and test all pet birds returning 

to the U.S. for avian influenza and exotic Newcastle disease. USDA 

testing fees apply.

Step 6. Quarantining your pet bird at home for 30 days 

After your pet bird is examined by the VS Port Veterinarian, it can go 

home with you. However, it must be separated and apart from all other 

birds and poultry for a minimum of 30 days, as part of quarantine 

requirements. A VS veterinarian will test your bird again approximately 

14 days after arrival in the United States.

Step 7. Receiving your written notification of release 

from quarantine

After 30 days of quarantine and assuming all test results are negative, 

you will receive written notification from VS releasing your pet bird 

from home quarantine. After that notification, your bird can move freely 

anywhere in the United States. 

If you need clarification of the entry requirements, 

contact the VS National Import Export Services at 

(301) 851-3300 | Option 2 or 

e-mail: VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov