Veterinary Services January 2024

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The Approved Establishment Program: Guidance for 

Approved Facilities 

There are certain serious animal diseases that could enter the U.S. 

through imported animal trophies, their hides or their feathers – but 

with proper processing, the disease agents are destroyed. To ensure 

that trophies are safely imported, APHIS developed the Approved 

Establishment program. Approved Establishments allow these 

items, known as restricted imports, to enter the United States while 

still protecting U.S. livestock and poultry from disease. 

Your Role As An Approved Establishment

Approved Establishments and Approved Warehouses play a very 

important role in protecting our nation’s agriculture. 

As an Approved Establishment or an Approved Warehouse, you will 

be handling these materials appropriately to prevent the introduction 

of foreign animal diseases. Approved Establishments will follow 

approved treatment methods to kill/deactivate the disease agents of 

concern. These methods may be different than those used on U.S.-

origin trophies. After the processing is complete, you will release 

the materials back to the hunter or importer.

Approved Establishments and Approved Warehouses are inspected 

and approved annually by USDA. You will ensure that required 

paperwork is completed and submitted in a timely manner. You will 

also work with your inspector to ensure the proper staff training 

takes place.

Always Remember Biosecurity!

Biosecurity is essential for preventing the spread of infectious 

diseases. All Approved Establishments and Approved Warehouses 

need to have a customized biosecurity plan. Consider the basics 

below when developing your plan, in conjunction with your 

inspector. 

• Act as if all restricted imports are contaminated with animal

diseases.

• Store and treat restricted imports separately from other items.

• Use separate or disposable clothing (aprons, gloves, etc.)

when handling restricted materials. Change into new clothes

before working with unrestricted items. Wash or dispose of

used clothing.

• Disinfect all floors, tables, instruments and packing materials

after any contact with restricted materials and after each use.

Unfinished animal trophies, hides 

and feathers that come from areas 

of the world with the following 

foreign animal diseases must 

undergo special processing to 

protect against introducing those 

diseases into the U.S.:

• highly pathogenic avian

influenza (for bird/poultry

items)

• virulent Newcastle disease

(for bird/poultry items)

• foot-and-mouth disease (for

split-hooved animal items)

• African swine fever (for

swine items)

The following items may enter 

without a permit or foreign 

certificate and do not need to go 

to an approved establishment: 

• finished/mounted trophies

• cleaned and dried bones,

antlers, horns and hooves

being used as trophies

• flint dried hides from

countries without African

swine fever

• trophy/display materials from

rabbits, rodents, fish,

shellfish and non-human

primates

These items may still fall under 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or 

Centers for Disease Control and 

Prevention import restrictions. 

WHAT NEEDS TO GO TO AN 

APPROVED ESTABLISHMENT?
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• Wash your hands before and after working with restricted imports.

• Dispose of trimmings and waste as soon as possible. Be sure to follow any local regulations

regarding disposal.

• Keep all animals, including pets, away from restricted imports and waste products.

• Implement a pest control program to prevent rodents, birds and other pests from having contact

with restricted imports and related materials.

• When in doubt, always handle materials as if they are restricted imports.

Biosecurity needs to be part of your daily routine. Make sure you and all employees follow biosecurity 

procedures at all times.

What Does the Approved Establishment Program Cost the Hunter? 

USDA does not charge hunters or importers for the Approved Establishment program. However, you 

can charge hunters and importers for processing and handling. 

What Does the Approved Establishment Program Cost Me? 

USDA charges all Approved Establishments and Approved Warehouses an annual fee. This covers our 

inspection and your authorization/approval letter. The fees vary and will be explained by your assigned 

inspector. 

What Do I Need to Do to Become An Approved Establishment?

Taxidermists who wish to become an Approved Establishment or an Approved Warehouse should first 

contact their local Veterinary Services service center. The service center will provide you with 

information about the inspection, fees, and responsibilities associated with becoming an Approved 

Establishment. 

For More Information

Your first stop for questions should always be your assigned inspector. If you cannot get in touch with 

him or her, you can also contact your local Veterinary Services service center to begin the process.

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animalhealth/approvedestablishments