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USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC

CAMELIDS FROM CANADA

September 2009, Updated February 2020 

This protocol describes the conditions required to import zoological ruminants according to 

regulations found in 9 CFR Part 93. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1 This protocol covers the importation from Canada of domestic or New Worldcamelids, animals

in the family Camelidae, genus Lama or Vicuña. Farm-raised Old World camelids (genus 

Camelus) not originating from or residing in Canadian zoos may also be imported from under 

this protocol. (For Old World camelids and vicuna from Canadian zoos, see “Protocol for the 

Importation of Zoo Ruminants from Canada”).

1.2 No import permit is required if the domestic camelids are offered for entryto the United States 

at a Canadian land border port.

1.3 For any other case, the importer must obtain an import permit from:

1.4 Ports of entry: domestic camelids must be imported to the U.S. through the ports listed in the 

federal regulations 9 CFR 93.403. That information may be found at the following link:

https://ecfr.io/Title-09/se9.1.93_1403

1.5 Two copies of VS form 17-29 (Declaration of Importation) must accompanythe shipment 

 

1.6 An official health certificate is required. The official health certificate must be issued by a 

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Veterinary Services (VS er )

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 

for presentation to the U.S. Collector of Customs. 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC 

CAMELIDS FROM CANADA

September 2009, Updated February 2020

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veterinarian accredited by Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), and must be endorsed by 

a veterinarian employed by CFIA certifying the attestations and tests required in this protocol.

1.7 All domestic camelids must be permanently and individually identified. If a microchip 

transponder is used, an electronic reader that is capable of reading the microchip must 

accompany the animal(s) to the United States port of entry.

1.8 All domestic camelids to be imported from Canada must be at least six (6)months of age and 

fully weaned prior to shipping, unless traveling at the foot of their dam.

1.9 Domestic camelids less than six (6) months of age and traveling at the foot of their dam must be 

identified on the health certificate and have their health status certified but are not required to 

be tested for tuberculosis or brucellosis.

2. CERTIFICATION STATEMENTS

2.1 Animal Residency: The domestic camelids intended for importation to the UnitedStates have 

resided in Canada or the United States from birth or, if imported from a country other than the 

United States, have been part of Canada's national herd for a minimum period of time. 

Paragraphs 2.1.1 describes how USDA, APHIS defines "part of the national herd" and for what 

length of time the animals must be part of the nationalherd.

2.1.1 If the domestic camelids intended for importation to the U.S. were imported to Canada 

from another country, or are the offspring of any such animals, theymust be free of any 

import quarantine or health related restrictions imposed by CFIA and have been able to 

move freely within Canada's national herd for a minimum of (60) days prior to export to 

the United States.

2.2 Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis), Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M. tuberculosis) and Brucella 

abortus (B. abortus) have not been diagnosed clinically, by diagnostic test, or by post mortem

examination in a camelid, ruminant and/or swine on the premises of origin within the three (3) 

years preceding the issuance of the export health certificate.

2.3 The domestic camelids have been resident in a herd of origin in Canada for minimum period of 

sixty (60) days prior to export and do not originate from premises containing ruminant or swine 

species not part of a herd recognized by CFIA to be free of Tuberculosis and Brucellosis and

either:

2.3.1 All ruminants or swine that have commingled with the domestic camelids intended for 

importation to the U.S. have been tested at the same time and for the same diseases 

mentioned in part 3 of this protocol as the domestic camelids intended for importation 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC 

CAMELIDS FROM CANADA

September 2009, Updated February 2020 

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to the United States;

Or:

2.3.2 During the 60-days immediately prior to export, the domestic camelidsintended for 

importation to the U.S. were isolated from other animals and tested as per part 3 of this 

protocol. 

2.4 Upon inspection within 30 days prior to departure for export to the United States, the domestic 

camelids showed no clinical signs of communicable disease.

2.5 The official health certificate must include: 

• name and address of the importer;

• species, breed, and number of animals to be imported;

• individual identification, including the official Canadian eartag number or other

approved forms of individual identification, and any other identification present on the

animal, including registration number and brands;

• description of the animals, including age in months, sex, breed, and markings (if any);

• region/country of origin;

• address or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other premises

where the camelids resided immediately prior to export;

• name and address of the exporter;

• port of embarkation in Canada, the mode of transportation, route of travel (slaughter

animals), and port of entry in the United States.

3. TESTING REQUIREMENTS

3.1 Tuberculosis: within 60 days of export, each domestic camelid intended for export must be

tested with an intradermal tuberculin test (ITT) with CFIA approved methodology 

and with negative results.

3.2 Testing for M. bovis in Canada must be conducted by a veterinarian specifically approved by 

CFIA for the testing of Camelidae, or by a Federal veterinarian trained in the testing of 

Camelidae for M. bovis. 

3.3 Brucellosis: Within 30 days of export, each domestic camelid intended for importation to the 

U.S. must be subjected to a standard test for brucellosis, as prescribed for international trade 

by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), with negative results. 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES 

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL FOR THE IMPORTATION OF DOMESTIC 

CAMELIDS FROM CANADA

September 2009, Updated February 2020 

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4. DEATHS IN CANADA DURING PRE-EXPORT

4.1 Any domestic camelid over the age of six (6) months dying in the Canadian herd of origin

within the 60 day pre-export/isolation period must be subjected to a post- mortem examination 

supervised by CFIA.

4.2 In cases where the cause of death is not conclusively confirmed, appropriate lymph nodes and 

any suspected lesions found on other organs/tissues must be submitted to a Canadian federal 

veterinary diagnostic laboratory for histological examination and culture for Mycobacteria spp., 

or other suspected diseases.

5. TRANSPORTATION TO THE UNITED STATES

Domestic camelids being exported from Canada to the United States must be transported in cleaned

and disinfected trucks directly from the premises of origin (or the isolation facility as per 2.3) to the

U.S. port of entry.

6. INSPECTION AT THE PORT OF ENTRY

6.1 Domestic camelids for U.S. entry must be presented at the port of entry by appointment.

Confirmation should be provided to the VS port veterinarian at least 72 hrs prior to arrival.

6.2 All domestic camelids will be inspected. 

6.2.1 Inspection can be done in an area most practical, such as onboard the transport vehicle or 

in the inspection facility pens. 

6.2.2 The port veterinarian shall conduct a visual health examination of the camelids to verify 

identification and the accuracy of the health certificate. 

6.2.3 Any animals that are determined to be ill, not fitfor further travel, or otherwise not 

meeting APHIS’ import requirements, or the requirements of this protocol, shall be 

refused entry and returned toCanada.

7. ADDITIONAL GUIDELINES

States may have additional regulations and requirements for the proposed import (State Regulations

and Import Requirements). It is the responsibility of the importer to follow all guidelines for the

importation of regulated live animals to the destination state.