USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy 

PROTOCOL FOR THE TRANSIT OF SWINE, SHEEP AND GOATS 

FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BY LAND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES

February 2023 

1 

 This protocol describes the conditions required to transit small ruminants and swine by land from 

Canada to Mexico according to regulations found in 9 CFR Part 93. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

1.1. The shipper must obtain an import transit permit from the:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)

Veterinary Services (VS), Strategy & Policy (S&P)

4700 River Road, Unit 39 

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, Option 2 

The permit application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit 

Permit,” may be completed and filed electronically using the eFile system, or 

alternatively by downloading it from the APHIS web site USDA APHIS | VS Forms and

submitting by emailing laipermits@usda.gov. 

Importers, agents, or shippers must apply for the permit at least 7 to 10 business days 

before the shipment arrives (Import Notice - Live Animal Import and Transit Permits).

1.2. The application for an import transit permit must include the route of transit, the number of 

drivers, the estimated travel time, and a written contingency plan (see section 1.6). 

1.3. Animals loaded for transport in Canada must follow existing Canadian regulations for animal 

selection, loading, transport and transport planning: Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII: 

Transport of Animals (Health of Animals Regulations: Part XII: Transport of AnimalsRegulatory Amendment Interpretive Guidance for Regulated Parties - Canadian Food 

Inspection Agency).

1.4. On arrival at the U.S. port of entry, a copy of the completed VS Form 17-29 Declaration of 

Importation must be presented to the APHIS port Veterinary Medical Officer (VMO). In the 

“Remarks” section of the document, a declaration must be included stating that the swine, 

sheep, or goats will be retained aboard such means of conveyance or in an APHIS approved 

holding facility during transshipment. A copy of this declaration should be attached to the 

import transit documents carried by the transporter as well. 

1.5. Transit shipments must contain only one species (no mixed shipments).

1.6. The animals must be fed, watered, and rested (FWR) during transport in the United States, 

following existing U.S. domestic animal transport regulations, at least once every 28 hours, 

including for any transport delays (eCFR :: 9 CFR Part 89 -- Statement of Policy Under the 

Twenty-Eight Hour Law). See section 4.

1.7. A written contingency plan to deal with potential emergencies enroute is required before the 

import transit permit is issued. At a minimum, the contingency plan will include an 
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy 

PROTOCOL FOR THE TRANSIT OF SWINE, SHEEP AND GOATS 

FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BY LAND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES

February 2023 

2 

emergency contact number for the importer or their representative, veterinary contacts along 

the route who may provide assistance for health and safety issues involving the animals, and 

documented source(s) of water (Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and ThirdCountry Import Transit Permits).

1.7.1. APHIS recommends the comprehensive contingency plan also address the following 

items: 

1.7.1.1. Transport conveyances/shipping containers. 

1.7.1.2. Loading densities and space requirements. 

1.7.1.3. Environmental/weather protections. 

1.7.1.4. Ventilation/air supply. 

1.7.1.5. Feed/water supply. 

1.7.1.6. Management of animals that are sick, injured, or otherwise unfit to travel.

1.7.1.7. Accident/ vehicle break-down management plan.

1.7.1.8. Animal escape plan.

1.7.1.9. Deceased animal management.

1.7.2. APHIS VS port and local offices must be notified immediately for any emergency 

situations. The full contingency plan should include these APHIS contact phone 

numbers, as well as contact numbers for state animal health officials.

1.7.3. The full plan will be required in the event of an emergency or other issue with the 

transit.

1.8. An original import transit permit must accompany each truckload of swine, sheep, or goats to 

Mexico.

1.9. The importer/exporter is responsible for contacting the APHIS port VMO at both the port of 

entry into the United States (Canadian border), and the port of exit from the United States

(Mexican border) at least 3 business days prior to shipment to make a reservation for 

inspection. 

1.10. The importer/exporter, through their shipping agent and/or transporter, is responsible for 

providing copies of the USDA import transit permit and contingency plan to the APHIS port 

VMO at the port of entry, and the APHIS port VMO at the port of exit, prior to the arrival at 

the Canadian border. 

2. CERTIFICATIONS

2.1 An official Canadian Export Health Certificate for the export of swine, sheep, or goats to 

Mexico must accompany the shipment. 

2.2 A USDA APHIS import transit permit must accompany the shipment. 
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy 

PROTOCOL FOR THE TRANSIT OF SWINE, SHEEP AND GOATS 

FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BY LAND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES

February 2023 

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2.3 For swine: An official Canadian health certificate qualifying the animal shipment for export to 

the United States may be added to the export documents, allowing the exporter the option of 

moving the animals to an appropriate receiving facility in the United States should transport 

issues occur, preventing shipment to the destination country. VS must be informed of the use 

of this option immediately, if elected, and the receiving facility/state for the animal shipment.

3 IMPORT TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS AT THE CANADIAN BORDER

3.1 The animals must be presented to the APHIS port VMO at an approved Canadian border port 

of entry that is designated for the import of swine (9 CFR 93.503(b)) or ruminants (9 CFR 

93.403(b)). 

3.2 The APHIS port VMO will review the required import transit documentation and assess the 

animals for fitness to travel. The port VMO will issue a VS Form 1-27, Permit for Movement 

of Restricted Animals, and VS Form 17-30, Report of Animals, Poultry, or Eggs Offered for 

Importation. These forms must accompany the shipment to the Mexican border. 

3.3 The port VMO will visually inspect the shipment to determine fitness for further travel. 

3.3.1 At the discretion of the port VMO, individual animals that are not fit for travel, or the 

entire consignment, may be refused entry and returned to Canada. 

3.3.2 Due to temperature extremes, animal health/ safety conditions, APHIS personnel will 

determine if offloading of animals during the assessment is warranted.

3.4 The port VMO may break Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) seals (if present) if 

necessary. The port VMO will place official USDA seals on the conveyance if no CFIA seals 

are present, or if they have been removed by APHIS for inspection at the port of entry. All 

seal numbers will be recorded on the VS Form 1-27. 

4. FEED WATER AND REST REQUIREMENTS IN THE UNITED STATES

4.1 At a minimum, import transit loads must meet U.S. domestic requirements for animal

transport, including periods for FWR stops if the transit travel time will exceed 28 hours. 

4.2 The USDA import transit permit will specify the route of travel. 

4.3 The FWR may take place inside the truck if all the animals have room to lay down at the same 

time. The truck driver must certify when and where the FWR occurred. 

4.4 The APHIS port VMO or designated APHIS representative will determine if offloading of 

animals during the FWR is warranted due to temperature extremes and/or animal health/safety 

conditions. 

4.4.1 In the event that offloading is deemed necessary, conveyance seals may only be broken by 

an APHIS official or by an approved APHIS representative. 
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy

PROTOCOL FOR THE TRANSIT OF SWINE, SHEEP AND GOATS

FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BY LAND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES

February 2023

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4.4.2 The animals must be offloaded in an APHIS-approved FWR facility and remain under 

APHIS oversight for the duration of the FWR period. 

4.4.3 After reloading, the conveyance must be sealed by the APHIS official or approved APHIS 

representative with official USDA seals, and these seal numbers must be recorded on the

corresponding import transit documents.

5. TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS AT THE MEXICAN BORDER

5.1 The shipper must make an appointment with the APHIS port VMO at the port of exit that is 

designated on the U.S. import transit permit prior to shipping the animals, at least 3 business 

days prior to anticipated arrival. 

5.2 On arrival at the U.S. port of exit, the port VMO will review paperwork to check for 

completeness and accuracy; FWR logs will be checked on the shipment’s arrival at the port 

of exit to ensure compliance with the APHIS requirement for transits to comply with all U.S. 

domestic animal transport regulations, including for FWR periods.

5.3 APHIS port personnel will check conveyance seals on arrival to ensure they arrived intact; 

they will break USDA seals and begin unloading as soon as possible.

5.3.1 For animals that remain at the facility overnight to be exported the following day, APHIS 

port personnel will place USDA seals on pens and the importer will incur user fee charges

for next day service.

5.4 The offloaded animals will undergo inspection by a SENASICA veterinarian. 

5.5 If any animals are rejected and refused entry (DOA, unfit for travel etc.), the APHIS port 

VMO will record this on the VS Form 17-41. 

5.6 The APHIS port VMO will complete the VS Form 1-27 and VS Form 17-41 and email a 

copy of the completed forms to the NBP VMO within 48 hours; the SBP Veterinarian-InCharge and Live Animal Imports should also be copied on the email. 

5.7 The animals are not permitted re-entry to the United States after they have left the port of 

exit.

6. IMPORT TRANSIT SHEEP AND GOATS REFUSED ENTRY BY MEXICO

6.1. Sheep and goats refused entry by Mexico may proceed to Mexico for disposal, if the

Mexican permit indicates that they will take all animals, alive, dead, or injured for disposal;

or

6.2. Be transported back to Canada under USDA or CFIA seal after CFIA and APHIS have

authorized the return of the shipment to Canada; or
USDA APHIS Veterinary Services, Strategy and Policy

PROTOCOL FOR THE TRANSIT OF SWINE, SHEEP AND GOATS

FROM CANADA TO MEXICO BY LAND THROUGH THE UNITED STATES

February 2023

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6.3. Be humanely euthanized for disposal at the landfill.

7. IMPORT TRANSIT SWINE REFUSED ENTRY BY MEXICO

7.1. The animals are not permitted re-entry once they leave the port of exit. If this has not 

occurred, the animals may be allowed entry into the United States provided they have an

official Canadian Export Health Certificate for the export of swine to the United States and 

meet all U.S. import requirements. This type of scenario would be rare and would first 

need to be reviewed and approved by VS Live Animal Imports on a case-by-case basis, as

there would be a number of additional requirements that would need to be met.

7.2. If not certified for entry into the United States (see section 2.3), swine refused entry by 

Mexico will be humanely euthanized for disposal at the landfill.

8. USER FEES: VS will charge user fees to the importer/ hipper for any VS activities associated 

with the transit, including but not limited to:

8.1. Import transit permits.

8.2. Inspections at the U.S. port of entry.

8.3. Inspection or other services at the U.S. port of exit.