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Import Protocol for Zoo Avians Imported to an APHIS-approved Zoo 

Definitions:

1. The USDA defines zoological birds as birds intended to be imported to a zoological 

facility for breeding, public display, recreational or educational purposes. USDA 

defined- poultry species that are imported for these same purposes to a zoological 

park, are also included in this protocol.

2. A zoological park is defined as a professionally operated zoo, park, garden or other 

place maintained under the constant surveillance of a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, 

for the exhibition of live animals, pigeons, or birds, for the purposes of public 

recreation or education.

3. An APHIS- approved zoo quarantine facility is one in which APHIS has determined 

that minimum standards for maintenance and operation has been met as stated in 9 

CFR, 93.106. (c ).

1. General requirements: (for importations from all countries except from Canada)

Note: An import permit will not be issued until quarantine arrangements have been 

finalized.

1.1 The importer must obtain an import permit. Additional restrictions may be 

specified on the permit for any zoo avians originating from countries affected 

with avian influenza (AI) Newcastle disease (ND). A country’s disease status 

for AI and ND can be found on the USDA website, Animal Health Status of 

Regions

 An importer can obtain an import permit as follows:

a. The VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit,”

along with the instructions, can be obtained by writing to or calling the

National Import and Export Services, or by downloading the form from 

the APHIS Web site: VS Forms

b. Importers wishing to use an APHIS-approved zoo facility for the 

required 30-day entry quarantine should submit their import permit 

applications to the Riverdale, MD office.

The address: U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Veterinary Services (VS)

Strategy and Policy

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

 VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.usda.gov

Telephone: (301) 851-3300 option 2

Fax: (301) 734-4704
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1.1.1 Importers wishing to use an APHIS-operated facility for the required 30-day 

entry quarantine should submit import applications to the facility of choice. 

Information on airport inspection procedures, etc. should be provided to 

applicants by the facility issuing the permit. Summery website instructions can 

be found at: Zoo imports

The import permit will be issued by one of the below APHIS- operated facilities. 

Such shipments should arrive directly at the applicable associated airport, unless 

otherwise agreed to by APHIS and as indicated on the import permit.

New York Animal Import Center

USDA, APHIS, VS

474 International Boulevard

Rock Tavern, NY 12575

(845) 838-5500 (phone)

(845) 838-5516 (fax)

Miami Animal Import Center

USDA-APHIS-VS

6300 NW 36 Street

Miami, FL 33122

(305) 876-2200 (phone)

(305) 876-2201 (fax)

1.1.3 Importers with shipments of zoo avians originating from or transiting 

through an HPAI-affected country should submit all import requests to 

the Riverdale, MD office (see 1.1.1). 

 1.1.4 Applicants must include the applicable processing fee by check, money 

order, charge card or by providing a USDA user fee account. Current fees can 

be found at the following web link: User Fees

Submissions may be made by mail or fax to the number above. 7-10 

business days should be allowed for processing. If changes need to be made 

for a permit after it has been issued, there is an additional fee.

1.2 After receiving an import permit, the importer must contact the APHIS VS port 

personnel listed on the permit no later than 3 business days in advance of 

arrival of the avians to coordinate the import process.

1.3 A current veterinary health certificate, issued within 30 days of importation and 

endorsed by a full-time salaried veterinarian of the national government of the 
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exporting country, must accompany each shipment. The health certificate must 

be translated into English. 

1.4 Other VS forms (such as a Customs Declaration- VS 17-29) may be completed 

at the port of entry at arrival. The importer/ representative should make 

arrangements to meet with the APHIS VS port veterinarian upon arrival of the 

shipment at the first U. S. port of entry.

1.5 The importer should contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) 

regarding any applicable permits or other importation requirements that agency 

may have in addition to APHIS’ requirements. 

2. Use of Approved Facilities for Entry Quarantine

Importers must obtain the approval for a private facility to be used as quarantine prior 

to applying for an import permit. Information and guidance on obtaining that approval 

can be obtained from

National Director for Animal Import Centers

4700 River Road

Office 5B-02c

Riverdale, Maryland

301-851-3408

3. Health Certifications

Health Certificates must contain statements attesting to the health status of the 

zoological avians in the shipment. Those statements are summarized here:

3.1 All avians covered by the certificate have been inspected by the veterinarian 

issuing the certificate.

3.2 There has been no evidence in the animals for export (or any group with which 

they have been held) of Newcastle disease, avian influenza, chlamydiosis, or 

other communicable disease of avians during the 90 days immediately 

preceding their exportation.

 3.3 The avians for export EITHER: have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease 

(avian paramyxovirus) at least 21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not 

contain any velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus; OR: 

The avians for export have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease. (The health 

certificate must specify).

 3.4 Newcastle disease or avian influenza has not occurred anywhere on the 

premises from which the avians for export are to be exported or on adjacent 

premises during the 90 days preceding the exportation. 
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3.5 The avians for export EITHER: have been vaccinated against H5 or H7 subtypes of 

avian influenza; OR: the avians for export have not been vaccinated against any H5 or 

H7 subtype of avian influenza (The health certificate must specify).

3.6 The avians for export are identified by permanent identification- leg bands, tattoos, or

microchips. 

3.7 There was no evidence of avian communicable disease found among the birds being 

shipped.

3.8 The avian for export were shipped in new or appropriately sanitized packaging 

materials. 

4. U.S. Port Procedures

At the first port of arrival into the United States, an APHIS VS port veterinarian

will review all documentation.

4.1 All avians included in the shipment must be inspected and/or monitored by VS at the 

first port of arrival to the United States (the import permit may list alternatives, if

applicable).

4.2. The importer is responsible for providing bonded broker transportation to the site of 

quarantine after the VS veterinarian has inspected the imported consignment at the 

first U.S port of entry. Transport is conducted per the language in the application 

plan.

 4.3 Refused entries at the port of entry:

4.3.1 Avian imports may be refused entry at the port of entry for any of the 

following reasons:

a. missing or non-compliant documentation

b. greater number of avians in the shipment than what was listed on the 

import permit.

c. any avians in the shipment appear to be ill.

4.3.2 Refused entry options:

a. Any avian shipments that are refused entries may be returned to the 

country of export or to another country, if either will receive the 

shipment. This option should be referred to a VS S&P Import-Export 

Coordinator and to the Riverdale, MD. Follow up communication by 

the import subject matter expert (SME) with the country of export and 

any other applicable receiving country, may be needed. The shipment 

is to remain at the airport until further instructions are received from 

S&P- Riverdale office.
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b. If avians that are clinically not healthy arrive in the U.S. and the

exporting country (or another country) will not accept them, the port 

veterinarian should meet with importers and discuss euthanasia. If the 

birds are listed on the endangered species list, the importer should 

inform the USFWS of the status of the shipment.

4.3.3 Documentation of VS actions should be captured on VS form 17-30 R. A 

copy of that form and any user fees incurred must be submitted to the NDAIC 

who will refund any fees, close the quarantine request, etc. 

5. Quarantine Procedures

All zoological avians must be quarantined for a minimum of 30 days, or longer, if 

required by the Administrator (exceptions for some species that originate from Canada 

may apply- see section 6 of this document). 

5.1 Zoological avian quarantines must take place at one of the USDA facilities in 

section 1.1.2 above, or may occur in an APHIS approved zoological facility. 

5. 2 During the quarantine period, all zoo avians in the shipment will be tested to 

determine if they are free of avian influenza and Newcastle disease. Avians may be 

held for an additional length of time if any communicable disease becomes evident 

during the quarantine period; and will not be released until negative test results have 

been received and the animals are judged by APHIS to be clinically healthy. 

5.3 If avians become ill for any reason other than from AI or ND, the Director of the 

quarantine facility, or the designee of the NDAIC, will contact the importer and 

discuss treatment options.

6. Zoological avians imported from Canada

6.1 Zoological avians from Canada (except for ratite species) are generally not 

required to be quarantined. (Note: if quarantine is required, it will be stipulated on 

the APHIS VS import permit.) However, shipments must be accompanied by a 

veterinary health certificate issued within 30 days of importation and endorsed by a 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency veterinarian. An APHIS import permit is required

for all zoological avians imported from Canada. Permits may be obtained by 

contacting the Riverdale, MD office as listed above. Zoological avians must be 

inspected by a VS veterinarian at the first United States port of entry. The importer 

must arrange for VS inspection(s) at least 3 business days in advance by contacting the 

USDA Port Veterinary Office at the telephone number listed on the import permit.

Questions about this document can be directed to:

Avian Import Specialist

Strategy and Policy, Unit 40
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4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Telephone: (301) 851-3300 option 2

Fax: (301) 734-4704

By email: VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov