Breadcrumb

1. Home

2. Print 

3. Pdf 

4. Node 

5. Entity Print 

Importing Hedgehogs and Tenrecs

into the United States

Last Modified: 

Print

This page explains the requirements for importing hedgehogs and tenrecs into the

United States. Hedgehogs include all members of the family Erinaceidae. Tenrecs

include all members of the family Tenrecidae.
Some states and municipalities prohibit the import of these animals, including

Georgia, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and all five

boroughs of New York City. It is the responsibility of the importer or their

representative to contact local authorities to ensure all laws are followed.

Requirements

APHIS Import Requirements for Hedgehogs and Tenrecs

Eligibility for Import

Hedgehogs and tenrecs may only be imported into the United States from a

region designated as free of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD). See the list of

countries/regions free of FMD on the USDA APHIS webpage.

Hedgehogs and tenrecs may NOT be imported into the U.S. from New Zealand.

Import Permit

An import permit is required. The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for

Import or in Transit Permit” may be obtained by emailing laipermits@usda.gov,

by downloading (73.07 KB) it from the APHIS web site, or file electronically

using the eFile system. Please allow 7-10 business days for permit processing. 

Veterinary Export Health Certificate

An official health certificate is required. The official health certificate must be

issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of

the exporting region, OR the certificate may be issued by a veterinarian

authorized or accredited by the national government of the exporting region

and endorsed by a full time salaried veterinary officer of the national

government of that region. 

Ports of Entry

Hedgehogs and tenrecs may be imported into the U.S. at the designated ports

outlined in 9 CFR 93.703 and noted below:
Air and ocean ports: Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK; San Diego and Los

Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, Miami, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and

Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Portland, ME; Baltimore,

MD; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Great Falls, MT; Newburgh, NY; Portland, OR;

San Juan, PR; Galveston and Houston, TX; and Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma,

WA.

Canadian border ports: Eastport, ID; Houlton and Jackman, ME; Detroit, Port

Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Opheim, Raymond, and Sweetgrass, MT;

Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, and Champlain, NY; Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, ND;

Derby Line and Highgate Springs, VT; Oroville and Sumas, WA.

Mexican border ports: Douglas, Naco, Nogales, Sasabe, and San Luis, AZ;

Calexico and San Ysidro, CA; Antelope Wells, and Columbus, NM; and

Brownsville, Hidalgo, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and El Paso, TX. 

Port of Entry Inspection

A hedgehog or tenrec from any part of the world must be inspected by an

APHIS inspector at the port of entry (the first port of arrival into the U.S.). A

shipment of hedgehogs or tenrecs may enter the U.S. only if each hedgehog or

tenrec in the shipment is found free of ectoparasites and any clinical signs of

communicable disease.

If any hedgehog or tenrec in the shipment is found to be infested with

ectoparasites or demonstrates any clinical signs of communicable diseases,

then the entire shipment will be refused entry. 

Certification and Treatment Requirements

The Health Certificate must include (model health certificate provided below):

The name and physical address of the importer (and the physical address of

final destination, if different).

The number, breed, species and description of hedgehogs/tenrecs (age in

months, sex, markings) to be exported, and purpose of the exportation.

The address or other means of identifying the premises of origin, and any other

premises where the animals resided immediately prior to export.

Any identification numbers of official seals that have been applied to the

enclosure, if applicable.
The hedgehog or tenrec originated in a region that has been recognized by

USDA APHIS as free of foot-and-mouth disease.

The hedgehog or tenrec has never been in a region where foot-and-mouth

disease exists.

The hedgehog or tenrec has not been commingled with any other hedgehog or

tenrec that originated in or has ever been in a region where foot-and-mouth

disease exists.

The hedgehog was inspected by the individual issuing the health certificate and

was found free of ectoparasites not more than 72 hours before being loaded on

the conveyance which transported the animal to the U.S.

All body surfaces of the hedgehog were treated for ectoparasites under the

supervision of the veterinarian issuing the health certificate at least 3 days, but

not more than 14 days, before being loaded on the conveyance that

transported the animal to the U.S.

The pesticide and the concentration used would kill the types of ectoparasites

that may infest the animal to be imported.

The hedgehog, after being treated for ectoparasites, had physical contact or

shared a pen, or bedding materials, only with treated hedgehogs or tenrecs in

the same shipment to the U.S.

The name and concentration of the pesticide used to treat the hedgehogs is

listed on the health certificate.

All animals must be treated for ectoparasites (in accordance with this section)

prior to export. Since some animals covered under this protocol may be

especially sensitive to chemical treatments, S&P, Live Animal Imports or FiOps

staff veterinarians may be consulted as needed by importers or APHIS field staff

regarding acceptable types of ectoparasite treatments for individual species. 

Animals Refused Entry

Any hedgehog or tenrec refused entry into the United States for noncompliance

with requirements of this protocol will be removed from the U.S. within a time

period specified by the Administrator or shall be considered abandoned by the

importer. Pending removal or abandonment, the animal will be subject to

safeguards as the inspector determines necessary to prevent the possible

introduction of ectoparasites into the U.S.

The importer will be given the following options:

Remove the shipment from the United States; OR 
The shipment may be released to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The

Administrator will destroy or otherwise dispose of the shipment as

necessary.

If an animal that has been refused entry is not removed from the United States

within the prescribed time period or is abandoned, it may be seized, destroyed,

or otherwise disposed of as the Administrator determines necessary to prevent

the possible introduction of ectoparasites into the United States.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS) Permit Information

USFWS regulates the import of all species of wildlife, and species protected by the

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These regulations

are part of an international conservation effort to protect exotic wildlife subject to

trade. For listed species, all required CITES permits must accompany the animal.

State Regulations

States and municipalities may have specific regulations concerning importation

and/or possession of hedgehogs and tenrecs. Some ban the import of these animals,

including Georgia, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and all five

boroughs of New York City.

It is the responsibility of the importer to check for this information. Please

contact the state veterinary authority in the destination state for more information

on local laws: State Regulations and Import Requirements.

Import Protocols and Health Certificates

Protocols for the Importation of Hedgehogs and Tenrecs (496.08 KB)

Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Hedgehogs and Tenrecs (176.33 KB)

UK health certificate for the export of hedgehogs and tenrecs to the United

States
Contact Us

Live Animal Imports

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3000

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