USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

1 

This protocol describes the conditions required to import live farmed camelids according 

to regulations found in 9 CFR Part 93. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. Camelids are defined as all species of the family Camelidae, including camels, guanacos,

llamas, alpacas, and vicunas. This protocol is for farmed domestic camelids: camels, llamas, 

and alpacas. Feral camels of any type are not included in this protocol. 

1.2. The importer must obtain an import permit from the: 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

Veterinary Services (VS) 

Strategy & Policy (S&P) 

4700 River Road, Unit 39

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, Option 2 

Fax: (301) 734-4704 

Web Site: APHIS Imports

The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit 

Permit,” may be obtained by writing or telephoning S&P, or by downloading it 

from the APHIS web site: Animal Health Permits

1.3. The importer must also reserve quarantine space at the following USDA quarantine centers:

New York Animal Import Center 

(NYAIC) 

Rock Tavern, New York 

Telephone: (845) 838-5500 

Fax (718) 553-3572 

Email: VSPSNIC@aphis.usda.gov

1.4. Alternatively, the quarantine may be completed at a USDA-approved privately owned 

minimum-security quarantine facility for ruminants that complies with title 9, Code of 

Federal Regulations, part 93 and Veterinary Services Guidance Document 13400.1. The 

importer can contact S&P, Live Animal Imports for further information. 

1.5. An official health certificate is required on entry. The official health certificate must be 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

2 

issued by a veterinarian designated by the Australia Department of Agriculture and must be 

endorsed by Australia Department of Agriculture veterinarian attesting to the certifications 

and tests required in this protocol. 

1.5.1. All certifications in Sections 2, 3, 4, and 5 of this protocol must be included on the 

health certificate.

1.5.2. Results and dates of all required official tests must also be included on the certificate.

1.6. The official health certificate must include: 

1.6.1. Name and address of the importer; 

1.6.2. Species, breed, and number of the animals to be imported; 

1.6.3. Purpose of the importation; 

1.6.4. Individual identification, which includes the eartag number or other approved forms 

of individual identification, and any other identification present on the animal, 

including registration number and brands; 

1.6.5. Description of the animals, including age in months, sex, breed, and markings (if 

any);

1.6.6. Region/country of origin;

1.6.7. Address or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other premises 

where the animals resided immediately prior to export; 

1.6.8. Name and address of the exporter; 

1.6.9. Port of export, the mode of transportation, route of travel, and port of entry in the 

United States.

1.7. The USDA APHIS requirement for animals exported from Australia: animals are to be kept 

in an Akabane, Bluetongue, Aino, and Bovine ephemeral fever- free region prior to being 

exported to the United States. Vector free facilities from hereon will refer to facilities free of 

ectoparasites (i.e. ticks, mites).

2. CERTIFICATIONS

2.1. Australia is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), surra, and contagious pleuropneumonia.

2.2. No cases of disease caused by Schmallenberg virus have been detected or reported in

Australia.
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

3 

2.3. EITHER (strike out whichever does not apply): The camelids for export were born, raised, 

and continuously residents of Australia, OR the camelids were part of Australia’s national 

herd for a minimum period of time. Paragraphs 2.3.1 and 2.3.2 describe how the United States 

defines “part of the national herd” and the length of time the camelids must be part of the 

national herd.

2.3.1. If the camelids for export were imported from countries recognized by USDA as free 

of FMD, then these animals must have been free of any import quarantine restrictions 

and able to move freely within Australia's national herd for a minimum of 60 days 

prior to entering the pre-export facility.

2.3.2. If the camelids are offspring of animals imported from a country not recognized by 

USDA as free of FMD, then the animals for export must have been free of any import 

quarantine restrictions and able to move freely within Australia's national herd for a 

minimum of 90 days prior to export. 

2.4. The farm of origin was free of any evidence of tuberculosis (TB), brucellosis, leptospirosis, 

paratuberculosis (Johne's disease), vibriosis, or trichomoniasis for the 12 months immediately 

prior to the time the animals for export entered the pre-export isolation facility.

2.5. The animals for export must originate from a herd of origin testing negative to a whole herd 

test for tuberculosis and brucellosis within 1 year prior to the date of exportation to the United 

States. The animals for export must also test negative to an additional tuberculin test for TB 

and an additional brucellosis test, as outlined in section 4.1-4.3 below, within 60 days prior to 

export. This test must be performed by a veterinarian designated by the Australia Department 

of Agriculture. 

2.6. The farms of origin were not under any local or Australia Department of Agriculture 

quarantine restrictions of any kind for a minimum of 60 days prior to exportation. 

2.7. The camelids for export (and any animals exposed to them) were inspected on the farms of 

origin by a veterinarian designated by Australia Department of Agriculture, and the inspection 

was conducted immediately prior to starting the pre-export isolation. There was no evidence 

of any infectious disease or exposure to infectious disease.

2.8. Permanent identification shall be any form of unique individual animal identification that is:

2.8.1. Officially recognized by the Australian Government (with the exception of a rumen 

bolus); 

2.8.2. Able to be traced to the farm of birth;

2.8.3. Capable of being retained for the life of the animal; and tamper- evident. 

2.8.4. Note: If microchip or radio frequency (RFID) identification is used, a functional 

reader must be made available at the U.S. port of entry.
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

4 

2.9. Immediately prior to entering the pre-export isolation facility, the animals for export were 

treated with a parasiticide effective against ticks and mites in an efficacious manner 

acceptable to APHIS, the veterinary community, and Australia Department of Agriculture. 

The treatment time and date, and the generic name of the drugs used must be indicated on 

the health certificate accompanying the animals to the United States.

2.10. The animals for export were born on or after the date of the effective feed ban for each 

country or region, it has resided in. Additionally, the animals have not been fed any 

animal proteins posing BSE or TSE transmission risk.

3. PRE-EXPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR CAMELIDS FOR EXPORT

3.1. EITHER: For a minimum of 60 consecutive days immediately preceding exportation, the

camelids were kept under the Australian Department of Agriculture supervision in an

approved facility, located in a vector-free region. The dates of quarantine shall be recorded 

on the health certificate. For this protocol, the “vector-free region” is defined as free from 

tick vectors capable of transmitting Babesia.

3.2. OR: The animals for export must be inspected for ticks and dipped prior to being placed in 

the tick-free and arbovirus vector-free facility certified by Australia Department of 

Agriculture as vector-free (as defined above) during the 60 days prior to export to the United 

States (see Addendum I: Guidelines to Establish a Tick-Free and Vector-Free Facility in an 

FMD-Free Country”). 

3.3. Within 10 days prior to export, the animals must be examined for external parasites and 

treated for ectoparasites using a product registered for that purpose in Australia and used 

according to the product’s specifications. The product, concentration, dose, and date of 

treatment must be recorded on the health certificate.

3.4. Permanent identification indicating the camelids are of Australian origin shall be placed on 

each animal prior to entering the quarantine facility. 

4. TESTING REQUIREMENTS

4.1. While in the 60-day pre-export isolation, all animals must remain clinically free of signs of

infectious disease. Those animals with signs of any disease must be removed and a 

determination must be made by the supervising Australia Department of Agriculture 

veterinarian concerning whether the other animals have been exposed to an infectious 

disease. If exposure is determined to have occurred, then the 60-day isolation must start over.

4.2. Tuberculosis: Between 45 and 60 days before export, the animals must be negative to an 

intradermal test for M. bovis, according to APHIS and/ or OIE recognized methods for 

camelids (OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals.). A 

negative test means no detectable response using both visual examination and manual 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

5 

palpation at the site of injection. This test must be performed a minimum of 60 days from 

any previous M. bovis test.

4.3. TB Testing Methodology: The tuberculosis test is the intradermal tuberculin test with a dose 

rate of (5000 I.U.) of bovine PPD tuberculin, or per standards developed by the competent

authority of Australia, injected at a post-axillary site which has been previously clipped, the 

injection site identified with a permanent ink marker, and the thickness of the skin recorded 

with caliper. The skin thickness will be measured seventy-two (72) hours post injection and 

any increase in thickness more than 1.0 mm is to be interpreted as a response. 

4.3.1. Animals responding positively to the Intradermal Tuberculin Test: Animals 

responding positively to the Intradermal Tuberculin Test are to be subjected to a 

comparative tuberculin test using biologically balanced M. bovis and M. avium

tuberculin on the opposite post-axillary site within ten (10) days of, or after ninety 

(90) days following, the date of the original tuberculin injection.

4.3.2. Any animal in which the response to M. bovis tuberculin is equal to or greater than 

the response to M. avium tuberculin is to be considered a positive reactor for M. 

bovis. Animals that are positive for M. bovis on the comparative tuberculin test are 

to be destroyed and necropsied with appropriate samples submitted for culture of the 

organism. 

4.3.3. The balance of the herd remains ineligible for import until negative laboratory results 

are received. Should M. bovis be isolated from the affected animal, all animals in the 

group remain ineligible for import into the United States. 

4.3.4. If all animals give negative results to the comparative test, the balance of the 

shipment is eligible to enter the United States. Responders to any test for M. bovis

remain ineligible for import.

4.4. All animals for export must be tested twice for B. abortus with the test noted. The second 

test must occur at least 21 days after the first test and during the last 30 days prior to export. 

B. abortus: Negative at 1:50 serum dilution (30 IU/ml) to a standard tube test.

5. TRANSPORTATION

5.1. The animals for export must be loaded onto vehicles previously cleaned, disinfected, and

transported directly to the port of export. During transit from the pre-export quarantine 

premises to the port of export and loading, the animals may not come into contact with/ or 

be exposed to, any animals of lesser health status or with equipment used with animals of a 

lesser health status (based on an official declaration by the transporter). These animals must 

be transported to a port of export within the vector-free region of Australia, without 

transiting any region that is not certified vector-free.

5.2. No animals, other than those animals intended for export to the United States, are allowed 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

6 

aboard the transporting aircraft or vessel.

5.3. All hay, straw, bedding, manure, and similar material accompanying the animals (except 

pelleted feed stored separate and apart from the animals) must be removed and incinerated 

upon arrival at the first United States port of entry. The animal area and equipment must be 

cleaned and disinfected. 

5.4. No stops or ports of call are allowed except those provided on the United States Import 

Permit.

5.5. The captain of the transporting vehicle must be advised of the transportation requirements.

5.6. All required certifications relating to the health of the animals, tests conducted, cleaning, 

disinfecting, hay, and bedding must accompany the qualifying ruminants to the United States 

port of entry.

6. U.S. PORT OF ENTRY QUARANTINE REQUIREMENTS

6.1. The U.S. import inspection, required tests, and quarantine must be accomplished at a USDAapproved quarantine facility as described in part 1.3 and 1.4 of this protocol.

6.2. The animals must be quarantined a minimum of 30 days upon arrival into the United 

States quarantine facility. During this time, all tests conducted during the 60-day preexport isolation must be repeated, at least once. See testing protocol 4.3; axillary testing is 

required in camelids, with a test interval of 90 days. 

6.3. Various other tests or treatments may be required when the Deputy Administrator, VS, 

determines that such tests or treatments are necessary to prevent the introduction of a 

foreign-origin disease or pest into the United States.

6.4. After animals have met all entry requirements, the VS veterinarian will issue a VS form 17- 

30 (Report of Animals, Poultry, or Eggs Offered for Importation) and release the animals.

7. ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

Please check the animal health regulations of the importing state of destination for possible

additional regulations and requirements for the proposed import (State Regulations and Import

Requirements).

8. ANIMALS REFUSED ENTRY

Any animal refused entry into the United States for noncompliance with the requirements of this
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

7 

protocol must be removed from the United States within a time period specified by the 

Administrator, or will be considered abandoned by the importer. Pending removal or 

abandonment, the animal will be subject to such safeguards as the APHIS inspector determines 

necessary to prevent the possible introduction of ectoparasites or disease into the United States. If 

an animal that has been refused entry is not removed from the United States within a prescribed 

time period or is abandoned, it may be seized and destroyed, or otherwise disposed of as the 

Administrator determines necessary to prevent the possible introduction of ectoparasites or 

disease into the United States.
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF 

FARMED CAMELIDS FROM AUSTRALIA

February 2006, Updated May 2020

8 

Addendum I: Guideline to Establish a Tick-Free Facility 

in a Foot-and-Mouth Disease-Free Country

1. The facility must be located so water from surrounding areas will not flow into or through the

facility. The facility must have an adequate and sanitary water supply for the animals and for

cleaning purposes.

2. The facility must have a properly equipped dipping vat or high-pressure spray equipment. There

must be a roof or covered section of pens of sufficient size to protect all animals treated for ticks

from exposure to rain or hot sun. All alleys, chutes, pens, and feed storage areas must have

impervious flooring (paving, blacktop).

3. The entire facility must be double-fenced with heavy gauge woven wire fencing at least 2.5

meters high (approximately 8 feet) in order to keep out all domestic and wild animals that may

carry ticks. (No pets will be allowed inside the quarantine area.) The space between the fences

must be at least 3 meters wide (approximately 10 feet) and kept free of all vegetation.

Note: No pets are to be allowed in the facility.

4. The quarantine area must be marked by a conspicuous sign bearing the words "Quarantine Area" 

written in the national language of the country of origin in letters not less than 25 centimeters 

high (10 inches). Only authorized personnel are allowed access to the facility.

5. All hay or other non-processed roughage must originate in the United States or other countries

recognized by USDA as free of cattle fever ticks and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD). All hay or

non-processed roughage has been stored for 90 days prior to introduction to the pre-export

isolation facility.

6. Processed feed or roughage may be used if it originates in a country free of FMD, and if it has

been treated, packaged, shipped, and stored in a manner so that it is free of ticks.