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Importing Zoological Birds into the

United States

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The USDA defines zoological birds as birds intended to be imported to a zoological

facility for breeding, public display, recreational or educational purposes. This

definition includes USDA defined- poultry species that are imported for these same

purposes to a zoological park.
A zoological park is defined as a professionally operated zoo, park, garden or other

place maintained under the constant surveillance of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine,

for the exhibition of live animals, pigeons, or birds, for the purposes of public

recreation or education.

Requirements

Import Requirements for Zoological Birds (for all countries except Canada)

Zoological birds must be permanently identified (CFR 93.104a4) and are subject

to quarantine on U.S. arrival. 

Additional restrictions may be specified on the permit for any zoo avians

originating from countries affected with avian influenza (AI) Newcastle disease

(ND). A country’s disease status for AI and ND is found on the USDA website,

Animal Health Status Regions. These types of imports require more processing

time for permits and for inspection logistics. The importer should notify the

National Import and Export Services unit before import.

Zoological birds must be accompanied by a USDA import permit (application to

obtain a permit is form: VS Form 17-129 (73.07 KB)). Processing time for the

application is approximately 7 – 10 business days. Applications should be

received no less than this time prior to shipment of birds. There is a processing

fee which can be paid by check, money order, charge card or by providing a

USDA user fee account. For an additional fee, the permit can be amended after

issuance by request.

Importers may submit an online application for an import or transit permit

for APHIS-regulated live animals and their reproductive tissue (genetic

resources) using the VS Form 17-129 through the APHIS eFile system

Download the import application or contact the Strategies & Policies, Live

Animal Import Team:  VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov

A health certificate, issued within 30 days of leaving the country of export,

must accompany all zoo bird shipments. A full-time salaried veterinarian of the

veterinary competent authority, located in the exporting country, must endorse

the health certificate, with English translation. 

The following list of health certificates are for countries that have negotiated

health requirements with the United States. All other countries of export must

use language listed on the model health certificate, listed below.
Kazakhstan Health Certificate for Zoo Birds (465.16 KB)

Exporting countries can use the model health certificate (451.45 KB)

provided or use their own document which carries the following U.S. health

certificate requirements:

1. All avians covered by the certificate have been inspected by the

veterinarian issuing the certificate.

2. There has been no evidence in the animals for export (or any group with

which they have been held) of Newcastle disease, avian influenza,

chlamydiosis, or other communicable disease of avians during the 90 days

immediately preceding their exportation.

3. The avians for export EITHER: 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 avians for export have not been vaccinated against

Newcastle disease. (The health certificate must specify).

4. Newcastle disease or avian influenza has not occurred anywhere on the

premises from which the avians for export are to be exported or on

adjacent premises during the 90 days preceding the exportation.

5. The avians for export EITHER: have been vaccinated against H5 or H7

subtypes of avian influenza; OR: the avians for export have not been

vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza (The health

certificate must specify).

6. The avians for export are identified by permanent identification- leg bands,

tattoos, or microchips.

7. The avian for export were shipped in new or appropriately sanitized

packaging materials.

A USDA port veterinarian at the first U.S. port of entry must inspect birds

(unless stated differently on the import permit). The importer must arrange for

this inspection by a USDA port veterinarian at least 3 business days in advance

by contacting the USDA port veterinarian at the telephone number listed on the

import permit.

Zoo birds are required at U.S. arrival, to proceed immediately into 30 days

quarantine. There are two USDA quarantines which can be used or the

importer can create a private quarantine facility. If a private facility is

used, it must be approved by APHIS before an import permit can be

issued.  
The importer should retain the services of a customs broker to facilitate the

importation and, in some cases, the transport of birds from the port of entry to

the USDA Animal Import Center. The importer can contact the Import Center for

a list of customs brokers to provide this service.

Information on Quarantine Requirements

Note: An import permit will not be issued until quarantine arrangements have been

finalized.

The USDA Animal Import Center will provide an estimate of fees, which includes

port inspection, laboratory testing that occurs during quarantine, and the

quarantine stay.

A list of current fees to support the import process is found at VS

Import/Export User Fees

Zoological avian quarantines must take place at one of the USDA facilities listed

below or private quarantine may occur in an APHIS approved zoological facility. 

Miami Animal Import Center

USDA-APHIS-VS

6300 NW 36 Street

Miami, FL 33122

(305) 876-2200 (phone)

(305) 876-2201 (fax)

NotifyMAIC@usda.gov

New York Animal Import Center

USDA, APHIS, VS

474 International Boulevard

Rock Tavern, NY 12575

(845) 838-5500 (phone)

(845) 838-5575 (fax)

VSPSNIC@usda.gov

The zoo requesting the import may ask the USDA to approve housing located

on its grounds for quarantine. The zoo should contact Strategy & Policy, Live

Animal Imports Team for information on how to gain approval to quarantine

imports on zoo grounds.
Importers must obtain the approval for a private facility to be used as

quarantine prior to applying for an import permit. Information and guidance on

obtaining that approval can be received by contacting the Strategy & Policy,

Live Animal Imports Team. 

Transit of Zoological Birds through the United States

The USDA Animal Import Center will provide the total fee for services for the

inspection and quarantine. Estimates of quarantine costs can be found at this

link: quarantine fees

Contingency Plan requirement:

Shipments must have an approved contingency plan in place for ports that

will be transited. Importers should work with transited port to obtain

approval. Plans should be reviewed annually to maintain approved status.

A U.S. import permit to transit must be issued within 30 days of import. The

port veterinarian at all U.S. ports of transit will inspect all zoo birds (VS Form17-

129 (73.07 KB)).

A current veterinary health certificate issued within 30 days of importation and

endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinarian of the agency responsible for

animal health of the national government of the exporting country. A health

certificate with English translation must meet all of the requirements listed

above and accompany the shipment. An example health certificate (497.82 KB)

is provided.

Health certificate requirements are as follows:

1. The veterinarian issuing the certificate completed inspection and testing of the

birds covered under this health certificate.

2. The veterinarian issuing the certificate examined the bird(s) within 30 days

prior to export, and saw no evidence of communicable diseases of poultry.

3. The bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian

influenza. If the birds were vaccinated, the date of vaccination and name of

vaccine is listed on the health certificate. 30 days quarantine is required for

vaccinated animals. Vaccine type, date, and name of product are listed.

4. The bird(s) covered by this certificate do not originate from flocks nor had

contact with any birds or poultry originating in a control zone established by

state/provincial/federal animal health authorities due to outbreaks of Newcastle

disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the 90 days preceding
the exportation.

5. The bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against Newcastle disease OR the bird(s)

has/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.

6. The shipment will not transit through any region where APHIS considers highly

pathogenic avian influenza to exist.

7. The birds were placed in new or appropriately sanitized packaging materials at

the premises from which the birds were to be exported.

The USDA will monitor transit shipments at the ports of entry. The importer

must arrange for USDA services at least three business days in advance by

contacting the USDA port veterinarian at the telephone number listed on the

import permit. Additionally, the import permit lists any approvals, along with

any special instructions for the importer and port staff.

Canadian Import Requirements for Zoological Birds

An import permit is required for zoological birds imported from Canada via air,

sea, or land border port.

Submit application # VS Form17-129 (73.07 KB) to request an import

permit.

Zoological birds must be officially identified prior to importation.

There are no quarantine requirements for zoological birds imported from

Canada into the United States, with one exception: zoo birds vaccinated using

influenza strains made of H 5 or H 7, must be quarantined upon U.S. arrival.   

Zoo birds must have a veterinary health certificate, endorsed by the Canadian

government (CFAI) and issued within 30 days of import. Example of a health

certificate containing requirements from Canada (232.55 KB).

Health certificate requirements are as follows:

1. The veterinarian issuing the certificate completed inspection and testing of

the birds covered under this health certificate.

2. The bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of

avian influenza. If birds were vaccinated the date of the vaccination and

name of vaccine is listed on the health certificate. A 30 day quarantine is

required for vaccinated animals.

3. The veterinarian issuing the certificate examined the bird(s) within 30

days prior to export and saw no evidence of communicable diseases of
poultry.

4. The bird(s) covered by this certificate do not originate from flocks nor had

contact with any birds or poultry originating in a control zone established

by state/provincial/federal animal health authorities due to outbreaks of

Newcastle disease or HPAI in the 90 days preceding the exportation.

5. Bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against Newcastle diseases OR the bird(s)

has/have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease at least 21 days prior

to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of

Newcastle disease virus.

6. The shipment will not transit through any region where APHIS considers

highly pathogenic avian influenza to exist.

7. The birds were placed in new appropriately sanitized packaging materials

at the premises from which the birds were to be exported.

USDA will inspect zoo bird shipments at U.S. ports of entry. The importer must

arrange for USDA inspection services at least 3 business days in advance by

contacting the USDA port veterinarian at the telephone number listed on the

import permit.

The import/transit permit lists any additional requirements that may be

imposed, along with any special instructions. If traveling by land, the importer

should call the port by phone and ask to be directed to the assigned USDA

veterinarian. The call will assist in ensuring there is a veterinarian available at

the port to receive the shipment at the time of crossing. 

Fish and Wildlife Service Permit Information

In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulates the

importation of birds protected by the Convention on International trade in

Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA).

These regulations are part of an international conservation effort to protect some

species of wild birds subject to trade. Most non-native U.S. pet birds including

parrots, parakeets, macaws, lories, and cockatoos are affected by CITES and the

WBCA. However, the budgerigar, cockatiel, and rose-ringed parakeets and peachfaced lovebirds are exempt.

Visit the FWS web site at: http://permits.fws.gov/ to obtain more information and the

permit application, if applicable. If you have questions, contact the FWS at (800)

358-2104. Calls from outside the U.S. should use (703) 358-2104. Birds arriving at

U.S. ports of entry may need to be inspected by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Inspectors.
The FWS lists U.S. Wildlife Inspection Offices. Importers with birds regulated by the

FWS should reach out to the office assigned to the port prior to U.S. arrival of birds.

View VS Guidance and Other Documents for Avian Importation

Questions?

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import Permit team if you have questions before you

apply for a permit.

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3000

APHIS Port Services

For questions about import inspections at a port of entry, quarantine of animals

arriving from a foreign country, or requesting approval as a private animal import

quarantine facility, contact APHIS Port Services.

- Select a State - ▾

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Live Animal Import and Export

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import and Export team for questions about current

trade restrictions, or other questions not related to permits.

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:
Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

All Contacts