INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING VETERINARY SERVICES (VS) FORM 17-129 

(APPLICATION FOR IMPORT OR IN TRANSIT PERMIT)

***For faster and easier application submission and review by our office, please utilize our online 

system, APHIS eFile, to create and submit your application. 

Before you fill out your VS Form 17-129

APHIS Veterinary Services has a new tool, the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant 

(VSPA), which provides guidance on VS admissibility requirements for international import

and international transit movement of VS-regulated commodities. 

The Permitting Assistant does not require any login or special access. Get started 

today at https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s/vs-permitting-assistant 

Using the VSPA, search for your live animals, filter the results based on their characteristics, 

and add them to your request. Once added, the Permitting Assistant will organize your 

commodities into the appropriate number of required applications. 

• Important: the number of VS 17-129 forms required is based on how the VSPA has

grouped your materials. The last page of this document illustrates how to map your

commodities when more than one VS 17-129 is required.

The VSPA Request Summary will also provide an estimated processing fee based on your 

request. 

• There is a $150.00 processing fee for each application submitted. Payment is required

before an application can be processed. Payment can be made by check or money

order made out to USDA, APHIS; credit cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express,

or Discover Card); or through a user fee account established with the Agency.

Complete your VS Form 17-129 

In Box 1: Please list the shipper's contact information, including the individual’s name and 

email address in the exporting country. If no shipper is involved, list the 

exporter’s contact information. 

In Box 2: The importer can be a person, agent or company, but there should be a US 

point of contact listed here. Please include name, address, telephone number, 

and email. 

In Box 3: Please list the port in the exporting country from which the shipment will 

originate, and all other ports that will be involved before arrival in the U.S. 

In Box 4: Please list the city and country from which the shipment will originate, and all 

other countries that will be involved before arrival in the U.S. 
In Box 5: Please list the type(s) of transportation that will be used for moving the 

shipment to the U.S port of entry. (For transits through the U.S. to another 

country, list all types of transportation through the U.S.as well). Please provide 

flight numbers (if known) for flights arriving at U.S. airports. 

In Box 6: • Under the first column, list the number of animals. If a shipment is semen or 

embryos, indicate the number of doses, ampules, or straws. For hatching 

eggs, please include number of eggs. 

• Under the Breed column, list the Breed of animal(s), where applicable

• Under the Species column, list the species of animal(s). Use Latin names

for fish or wild/zoo ruminant species

• Under the Description column, put a physical description of the animal(s),

according to species (use additional sheets of paper if necessary).

*NOTE: Include the first two lines of text from each commodity listed on

your VSPA application summary, which includes the commodity name and

subcategory, country of origin, country of export (if applicable), purpose, and

the PR number. For example, “Cockatoo; Birds, Rarities, and Poultry; From:

France for Performing/Theatrical Purpose; Exported From: France; PR098110”

In Box 6E: • Purpose of Importation -- indicate if shipment is an importation or transit. 

Note: For animals transiting the United States by air to a third country, stops 

at U.S. airports may generally be made for crew change and refueling only. 

• Unloading of animals during transits may be permitted under certain

conditions approved in advance by APHIS. (Please contact the Strategy and

Policy - Import Animals at the following phone number: 301-851-3300 or

email: LAIPermits@usda.gov for information regarding any transits where

animals may need to be unloaded.)

• Transiting animals, semen, embryos, or hatching eggs are subject to

supervision by VS port personnel. VS port personnel must be given at least

72 hours prior notice of exact time and date of arrival. For animals that are

imported and intended for entry into the United States, please contact the

individual quarantine facilities regarding any required quarantines for

imported animals. 

In Box 7: Please list all ports or other points in the route that is involved in the transport of 

animals, semen, embryos or hatching eggs to or through the U.S. 

In Box 8 & 

Box 9:

Permits for semen, embryos and most species of live animals are valid for 14 

days from the proposed arrival date (30 days for fish, birds, poultry and 

hatching eggs). Please be as accurate as possible in listing proposed shipping 

and entry dates. 

In Box 10: List the first port of arrival in the United States.
In Box 11 

& Box 12:

Leave blank for transits through the U.S. to another country. For animals 

entering the U.S. please provide contact information for the receiving party. Use 

Box 11 for shipments of animals that are not required to undergo a USDA 

quarantine, and Box 12 for shipments of animals that are required to undergo a 

USDA quarantine. 

In Box 13: Please include an email address (if available), also applicants list their payment 

method (bank card information or a user fee account with the agency) and any 

additional information you wish to send.

Submitting VS Form 17-129 

Please use the APHIS eFile system to submit your permit application electronically:

https://efile.aphis.usda.gov/s. 

If completing VS Form 17-129 manually, email the signed, completed application to 

LAIPermits@usda.gov.

Receiving Permits 

After receipt, permit applications will be reviewed by staff. If all requirements for importation 

are met, a VS form 17-135 Permit to Import Animals, Semen or Embryos will be issued

within 7 to 10 business days. The VS form 17-135 is also issued as an in-transit permit for

shipments transiting the U.S. to a third country.

Permits can be emailed electronically to applicants listing an email address in Box 13. For 

further assistance please call at (301) 851-3300. Questions may also be emailed to 

LAIPermits@usda.gov. 
VS Form 17-129 and VSPA Applications Summary – Side-by-Side