USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION 

OF HEDGEHOGS AND TENRECS 

May 2016, Updated February 2022 

This protocol describes the conditions required to import hedgehogs and tenrecs according to 

regulations found in 9 CFR Part 93. The USDA APHIS species definition for hedgehogs and 

tenrecs: 

• Hedgehogs include all members of the family Erinaceidae 

• Tenrecs include all members of the family Tenrecidae 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS: 

1.1 Hedgehogs and tenrecs may only be imported into the United States (U.S.) from a region 

designated as a free of foot-and-mouth disease. A list of countries/regions free of foot-and-mouth 

disease can be found on the USDA APHIS webpage: Animal Health Statuses of Regions. 

1.2 No person may import a hedgehog into the U.S. from New Zealand. 

1.3 The importer must obtain an import permit from: 

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

Veterinary Services (VS), 

Strategy & Policy (S&P) 

Unit 39, 4700 River Road 

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, option 2 

FAX: (301) 734-4704 

Web Site: USDA APHIS | Import: Bring Live Animals Into the United States 

The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit,” may be 

obtained by writing or emailing S&P (VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@usda.gov 

), or by downloading it from the APHIS web site 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/resources/forms/ct_vs_forms 

1.4 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. 

2. HEALTH CERTIFICATIONS 

1.1. The Health Certificate must include: 

1.1.1. The name and physical address of the importer (and the physical address of final 

destination, if different). 

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USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION 

OF HEDGEHOGS AND TENRECS 

May 2016, Updated February 2022 

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

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

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

premises where the animals resided immediately prior to export. 

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

enclosure, if applicable. 

1.2. The hedgehog or tenrec originated in a region that has been recognized by USDA APHIS as 

free of foot-and-mouth disease. 

1.3. The hedgehog or tenrec has never been in a region where foot-and-mouth disease exists. 

1.4. 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. 

1.5. The hedgehog(s) and/ or tenrec(s) was/ were inspected by the individual issuing the health 

certificate and was/ were found free of ectoparasites not more than 72 hours before being 

loaded on the conveyance transporting the animal(s) to the U.S. 

1.6. All body surfaces of the animal(s) 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. 

1.7. The pesticide and the concentration used would kill the types of ectoparasites that may infest 

the animal to be imported. 

1.8. The animal(s), 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. 

1.9. The name and concentration of the pesticide used to treat the animals is listed on the health 

certificate. 

1.10. All animals must be treated for ectoparasites (in accordance with this section) prior to export, 

and again at the time of entry to the United States. 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. 

3. DESIGNATED PORTS OF ENTRY: A hedgehog or tenrec may be imported into the United States 

through the following ports: 

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USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION 

OF HEDGEHOGS AND TENRECS 

May 2016, Updated February 2022 

3.1. 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. 

3.2. 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. 

3.3. 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. 

4. PORT OF ENTRY INSPECTION 

4.1. 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 United States only if each hedgehog or tenrec in the shipment is found free of 

ectoparasites and any clinical signs of communicable diseases. 

4.2. 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. 

5. ANIMALS REFUSED ENTRY 

5.1. 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. 

5.2. The importer will be given the following options: 

5.2.1. Remove the shipment from the United States; 

5.2.2. OR the shipment may be released to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The 

Administrator will destroy or otherwise dispose of the shipment asnecessary. 

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

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USDA APHIS VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY 

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION 

OF HEDGEHOGS AND TENRECS 

May 2016, Updated February 2022 

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. 

6. UNITED STATES FISH AND WILDLIFE SERVICE (USFWS) PERMIT INFORMATION 

6.1 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. 

6.2 USFWS website: https://fws.gov 

7. STATE REGULATIONS 

7.1 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. 

7.2 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. 

----MODEL HEALTH CERTIFICATE ON NEXT PAGE----

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Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of

Hedgehogs and Tenrecs from ___________________________________________ 

to the United States of America 

National Veterinary Authority Date of Issue Certificate Number 

CERTIFICATION: 

The animal(s) described below have been inspected and/or tested for the relevant diseases specified on the USDA-APHIS, VS Live Animal Imports website, and 

conform the current veterinary requirements of the United States. 

1. Name and Address of Importer: 2. Address of Final Destination (if different from importer): 

3. Address of Origin for Animal(s): 4. Address(es) of Other Locations of Residence for Animal(s) Immediately 

Before Importation: 

5. Country of Origin: 6. US State of Destination: 

7. Port/Airport of Embarkation: 8. US Port/Airport of Entry: 

9. Means of Transport: 10. Date of Shipment: 

11. Total Quantity of Animals: 12. Total Number of Packages/Containers: 

13. Container/ Transport Crate Numbers: 

14. Intended Use of Animal(s): 15. Official Transportation Seal Numbers: 

16. Identification of Animal(s): 

Age Description/Identification 

Species/Breed Sex (Months) (markings, transponder, tag 

number, etc.) 

Page 1 of 2 

This health certificate is valid for 30 days from issue 
 

 

 

 

Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of

Hedgehogs and Tenrecs from ___________________________________________ 

to the United States of America 

National Veterinary Authority Date of Issue Certificate Number 

Certification Statements: 

II. Health Information 

I , the undersigned, certify that the animal(s) described above meet the following requirements: 

1. Said animal(s) has/have never been to a region where foot-and-mouth disease exists 

2. Said animal(s) has/have not commingled with any other hedgehog or tenrec that originated in, or has 

ever been in, a region where foot-and-mouth disease exists. 

3. On _______________________ (date), being not more than 72 hours prior to loading for export, I 

examined said animal(s) and found them to be free from clinical signs or symptoms of infectious or 

contagious disease, including infestation with ectoparasites and are in my opinion fit for the intended 

journey. 

4. On _______________________ (date), being at least 72 hours, but not more than 14 days prior to loading, 

all body surfaces of said animal(s) were treated under my supervision for the removal of ectoparasites, 

by using the following licensed product at concentrations required to kill ectoparasites based on the 

product’s instructions: 

• A list of recommended pesticides and concentrations may be obtained from the Animal and 

Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, Strategy & Policy, 4700 River Road 

Unit 38, Riverdale, Maryland 20737–1231. 

Name of Product 

Active Ingredient(s) 

Concentration Used 

5. The animal(s) for export, after being treated as in statement II.2 above, did not come into physical 

contact or share a pen or bedding with any other animals apart from those similarly treated for the same 

consignment to the USA. 

6. I have received a written declaration from the owner/exporter that the crates and vehicles for transport will 

be thoroughly cleansed and disinfected with an approved disinfectant prior to loading. 

III. This certificate is valid for 30 days from the date of signature. 

Accredited or Approved Veterinarian 

(This section is not needed if the certificate is issued by an 

Official Government Veterinarian): 

Official Government Veterinarian 

Signature Signature 

Printed Name Printed Name 

Date Date 

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This health certificate is valid for 30 days from issue 
Page 

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This health certificate is valid for 30 days from issue