Import Alert: HPAI restrictions for Avian Commodities Originating from or Transiting 

Through the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland

Issuance Date: March 28, 2023

Effective date: March 22, 2023

Effective March 22, 2023, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is restricting the 

importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian 

products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products from the Canton of Zürich, in 

Switzerland. Any of these commodities originating from or transiting the Canton of Zürich, in 

Switzerland are prohibited, based on the diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)

in domestic birds. All other Cantons in Switzerland are considered unaffected by HPAI. 

Under these restrictions, processed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting 

the Canton of Zürich, in Switzerland, imported as cargo, must be accompanied by an APHIS 

import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products were treated 

according to APHIS requirements. 

Importation, as cargo, of fresh, unprocessed shell/table eggs and other egg products, void of the 

shell (i.e., liquid eggs, dried egg whites), originating from or transiting any restricted region is 

prohibited, unless they are consigned from the port of arrival directly to an APHIS-approved 

breaking and pasteurization facility. An import permit and/or certificate is not required for these 

shipments when consigned directly to an APHIS-approved establishment. 

Processed avian products and byproducts, including egg/egg products, for personal use 

originating from or transiting a restricted region, entering in passenger baggage must: 

• have a thoroughly cooked appearance; and 

• be shelf-stable as a result of APHIS-approved packaging and cooking (i.e., packaged in 

hermetically sealed containers and cooked by a commercial method after such packing to 

produce articles that are shelf stable without refrigeration); or 

• be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming 

that the products/byproducts were treated according to APHIS requirements.

Unprocessed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting the Canton of Zürich, 

in Switzerland will not be permitted to enter the United States. This includes hunter harvested, 

non-fully finished avian trophies and meat. 

Importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, and hatching eggs will be prohibited. However, 

pet and zoo birds, pigeons, and doves, may be imported under an APHIS import permit, and will 

be subject to a 30-day quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY or 

the Miami Animal Import Center in Miami, FL. 

These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. Current 

information can be found on the APHIS website.
Import Alert: Newcastle Disease Restrictions for Avian Commodities Originating from or 

Transiting Through the Canton of Zürich, Switzerland

Issuance Date: February 7, 2022

Effective date: January 21, 2022

Effective immediately, and until further notice, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS) is adding the Canton of 

Zürich, in Switzerland, to the list of countries APHIS considers affected with Newcastle disease. 

All avians, including hatching eggs, from the Canton of Zürich will be required to go through a 

30-day quarantine upon U.S. arrival. The type of quarantine (federal, private, or home) may vary, 

but must be specified on the import permit. All other Cantons in Switzerland are considered free 

from Newcastle disease; avian hatching eggs from those areas may be imported without 30-day 

quarantine. All other avian types would be required to enter 30 days of quarantine.

Fresh, unprocessed shell/table eggs, and other egg products void of the shell (i.e., liquid eggs, 

dried egg whites) originating from or transiting through the Canton of Zürich, imported as cargo, 

are prohibited unless they are accompanied by an appropriate APHIS table egg certification. 

Processed avian products and byproducts for personal use, including egg/egg products, which 

originated from or transited through the Canton of Zürich, in passenger baggage must: 

­ Have a thoroughly cooked appearance;

­ Be shelf-stable as a result of APHIS-approved packaging and cooking (i.e., packaged in 

hermetically sealed containers and cooked by a commercial method after such packing to 

produce articles that are shelf stable without refrigeration); and

­ Be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming 

that the products/byproducts were treated according to APHIS requirements. 

Unprocessed edible avian products and byproducts, including hunter harvested meat, originating 

from or transiting through the Canton of Zürich will not be permitted to enter the United States.

Processed edible avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting through the 

Canton of Zürich, imported as cargo, must be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or 

government certification confirming that the products/byproducts were treated according to 

APHIS requirements.

Inedible avian commodities (other than hunting trophies) from the Canton of Zürich must have a 

VS import permit as part of the entry documentation. Hunting trophies must be consigned to an 

APHIS-approved taxidermy establishment.

These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. Current 

information is available on the APHIS website.