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Protocol for 

Importing Wild Sharp Tailed Grouse from Canada, using the Oroville U.S. port of 

entry- special import requirements

2019

The sharp tailed grouse is found in the Pacific Northwest of the United States and in central

British Columbia, Canada. This species is part of a conservation project whose goal is to 

recover threatened populations in Washington State by translocating the same species from 

British Columbia, Canada. There is a concerted effort by three separate agencies. They are: 

the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW), the Bureau of Land Management 

(BLM) and the Colville Confederated Tribes’ Department of Fish and Wildlife, in Canada. 

The WDFW has approached the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal 

and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) for waivers to 

current import requirements to support translocation efforts of this unique species from 

specific areas within south Central British Columbia to final destination in North Central 

Washington State. 

General requirements: 

1.1 USDA’s import requirements for poultry (including grouse) from Canada 

require animals to be accompanied by a health certificate endorsed by the 

Canadian Food Inspection Agency and to be subjected to a veterinary inspection 

by VS at the U.S. port of entry. Current regulations for poultry from Canada 

which present at a US-Canadian land border port do not stipulate a need for an 

import permit. However, due to the unique circumstances associated with this 

particular project, APHIS is requiring that an import permit be obtained (for each 

shipment). The importer for this effort is the WDFW, with specific WDFW 

representatives identified as the agency veterinarian and the research scientist 

involved in the conservation/ relocation project. As noted, the WDFW must 

obtain an import permit for each import shipment of sharp tailed grouse (not 

hatching eggs of grouse) as described under this protocol. Restrictions will be 

specified on the permit. 

1.1.1 The WDFW can obtain an import permit as follows: 

a. A Veterinary Services (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 Export Services at:

National Import Export Services Unit 39

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

301-851-3300, Menu Option 2

Or by downloading the form from the APHIS Web site at:
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http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport?1dmy&uri

le=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_anim

al_health%2Fsa_import_into_us%2Fct_vs_services_forms

Completed applications may be faxed to 301-734-4704, or may be 

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

 1.1.2 The applicable processing fee must accompany the permit application, and may 

be submitted by check, money order, credit card or by providing a USDA user 

fee account. Current fees can be found at the following web link: 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/wps/portal/aphis/ourfocus/importexport?1dmy&uri

le=wcm%3apath%3a%2Faphis_content_library%2Fsa_our_focus%2Fsa_busin

ess_services%2Fsa_mrpbs_divisions%2Fsa_fmd%2Fsa_user_fees%2Fct_vs_i

mport_export_fees

1.1.3 Submissions may be made by mail or fax to the Riverdale office above; 7-10 

business days should be allowed for processing applications for importations 

that are being planned in advance under this protocol. 

1.1.4 If changes need to be made for a permit after it has been issued, there is an 

additional fee (See above web link for fees). 

1.1.5 Permits are valid for 30 days from the stated date of arrival to the U.S.

1.2 A current veterinary health certificate, issued by the Canadian veterinarian 

involved in the project, and endorsed by CFIA; or a health certificate issued 

and endorsed by CFIA is acceptable. 

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

 the port of entry at arrival. The WDFW should make arrangements to meet with 

 the VS port veterinarian upon arrival of the shipment at the U. S. port of entry.

1.4. WDFW must contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) regarding any 

applicable permits or other importation requirements that agency may have in addition 

to APHIS’ requirements. 

2.0 Use of Oroville U.S. port of entry- only 

3.0 Issuance of import permit is contingent upon: 

• 7-10 days pre-ship date for the submission of the VS 17-129 (import application)

• VS availability at first US port of entry to perform inspection- no shipments will 

be made on weekends or holidays.

4.0. Health Certifications

Health Certificates must contain statements attesting to the birds comprising the 

shipment:
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4.1 Date and location of capture.

4.2 Were inspected prior to shipment by the CFIA approved veterinarian 

issuing the certificate.

4.3 Showed no evidence of any clinical disease of poultry.

4.4 Were not vaccinated for any reason at capture.

 4.5 Were shipped in new or appropriately sanitized transport containers.

4.6 Did not originate from or transit through a region where highly pathogenic avian 

influenza or Newcastle Disease is known to exist.

NOTE: It is the understanding of the USDA that these grouse will be captured in the early 

morning hours and then trucked to the U.S. Oroville port, prior to port closure hours. The 

WFDW is required to keep the USDA port veterinarian apprised of any delays that may 

impact arrival at the port of entry. 

5.0 Veterinary Port inspection

5.1 The VS veterinary inspection will take place at the Oroville port of entry. If there 

is a change in ports it will be listed on the import permit. Prior permission to change 

the port must be obtained from the USDA before arriving at a US port. The WDFW

will ensure the VS port veterinarian is available during the approximate hours 

requested by the importer before issuing the import permit. Health certificate 

requirements will be listed on the import permit. Arrangements for VS inspection 

should occur at least 14 days in advance of shipment arrival. VS can be flexible with 

the amount of lead time received from the importer. However, once the permit has 

been issued, changes to US port arrival should be addressed directly with the US port 

veterinarian.

6 .0 Additional handling:

6.1 There is no quarantine of the grouse upon arrival in the U.S.

NOTE: The importer is required to communicate import intentions with the USFWS. VS 

may, at its discretion, inform the local USFWS agent of impending import; however it is the 

responsibility of the importer to comply with USFWS import requirements. 

Questions about this document can be directed to:

Avian Import Specialist

National Import Export Services, Unit 39

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Telephone: (301) 851-3300 option 2
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Fax: (301) 734-4704

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