United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 Veterinary Services

 VS Guidance 13404.1

1

Transit Shipments of Live Animal Commodities

1. Purpose and Background

This document provides guidelines for Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) 

Veterinary Services (VS) employees who inspect or monitor regulated shipments of live 

animal commodities (ruminants, swine, avians, horses, certain fish and miscellaneous 

animals including elephants, hippos, rhinos, tapirs, hedgehogs, and tenrecs, as defined in 

9 CFR parts 93 and 98), including germplasm and hatching eggs. All personnel involved 

with transit shipments should use these guidelines to uniformly implement VS live animal 

commodity movement regulations and policies.

2. Document Status

A. Review Date: 4/24/2021.

B. This memorandum cancels and replaces VS Memorandum 591.74 dated September 14, 

2011, and VS Memorandum 591.50 dated October 3, 2003. 

3. Reason for Reissuance 

We are replacing VS Memoranda 591.74 and 591.50 with an updated document covering 

current practices and concerns for safe animal transits through the United States.

4. Authority and References

Animal Health Protection Act (2002), 7 U.S.C. 8301 et. seq.

Restriction on importation or entry, 7 U.S.C. 8303

28 Hour Law, 49 U.S.C. 80502

28-Hour Law Statement of Policy, 9 CFR Part 89

9 CFR 93.401 General prohibitions; exceptions

9 CFR 93.501 General prohibitions; exceptions

5. Audience

VS employees, other Federal and State agencies, and members of the public.
 United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 Veterinary Services

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6. Guidance

A. General

1. Regulated live animal commodities move internationally to and through the United 

States as:

a. Third-Country Import Transits

1) Shipments originate in a foreign country and move though one or more U.S.

ports while transiting the United States to a third-country destination. Import 

transits always involve a port of entry and a port of exit, which may be the 

same location or which may involve numerous stopping points. 

2) The commodities in these transits are not eligible for release for entry into the 

United States. Import transits of live animal commodities must occur under a 

permit. 
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 Veterinary Services

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3) The commodities may not travel on the same conveyance with commodities 

released for entry into the United States, and must be monitored by VS while 

moving through the United States. The VS Strategy & Policy Live Animal 

Import staff has discretion to grant exceptions.

b. Internal Import Transits: Shipments originate in a foreign country, intended for 

import into the United States, but transfer from the port of entry to a location such 

as an Animal Import Center (AIC), private quarantine facility, or other receiving 

destination where they receive clearance. Internal live animal commodity transits 

must occur under a permit and otherwise meet U.S. import requirements.

c. Monitored Transits: Oversight, supervision, or other control of regulated live 

animal commodities while:

1) Moving through the United States to a designated point of exit.

2) Moving under an import permit from the U.S. port of entry to another port or 

U.S. location where additional entry procedures, including any required 

inspections, treatments, or quarantine and release will occur. 

B. Permits

1. A VS Strategy & Policy Live Animal Import permit team member or VS Field 

Operations port staff member issues transit permits (VS Form 17-135, U.S. Permit to 

Import) for regulated live animal commodity shipments.

a. Transit permits list conditions applicable to each shipment. Importers or their 

agents should apply for such permits using VS Form 17-129, Application for 

Import or In-Transit Permit, following application guidelines on the VS website. 

b. Allow at least 7 business days for VS to process the permit.

c. The transit permits must be issued before the shipment’s expected arrival.

d. The Live Animal Import permit team will manage all non-routine transits and 

newly developed transit protocols.

2. Permitting staff issues transit permits only when:

a. VS has adequate personnel available at all applicable ports to inspect, monitor,

and supervise the shipments.

b. Conflicting service requests do not exist (e.g., simultaneous imports or exports of 

similar species) at the same port facilities.

c. VS can designate a dedicated, secure facility or space at a port of entry (or other 

locations en route) to determine transit eligibility.
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d. The shipper has arranged for feed, water, and rest stops.

e. The importer has arranged for a contingency plan or facility/space (where no 

permanent facilities are available), if applicable.

3. Contingency plans are procedures to be enacted when an emergency situation 

arises. Examples include prolonged aircraft ground delay. During these situations,

transporters may need to temporarily offload the animals. Permanent facilities do not 

exist at all USDA or USDA-approved locations, or may be unavailable or 

inappropriate for the species in question. A contingency plan should designate a 

temporary facility or space with provisions for biosecurity; proper waste disposal, as 

needed; and compliance with VS, local, State and other Federal requirements. See

Section D of this document for more detailed criteria.

C. Transits through Airports

1. General monitoring and inspection at airports

a. Unless the transit permit specifically exempts it, VS must monitor all regulated 

live animal commodity shipments throughout transit.

b. VS personnel charged with monitoring a transit shipment ensure continuity of 

control occurs until the shipment leaves the United States or arrives at the final 

approved port. Personnel must be aware of the commodities’ location. VS 

personnel may seek temporary assistance from Customs and Border Protection 

(CBP) or other Federal personnel working at the ports. However, VS personnel 

must supervise such assistants and be responsible for their work.

c. Transiting animals must:

1) Be continuously confined aboard the conveyance.

2) Be held for a relatively short period (subject to rare exceptions, at the 

discretion of the VS port Veterinarian in Charge) in a VS pre-approved 

dedicated and secure holding facility/space until transferred to the next 

conveyance.

3) Continue to the next approved destination on the transit permit.

4) Be refused entry, if deemed necessary and if feasible. 

d. VS transit shipment monitoring includes:

1) Review of accompanying documents, such as transit permits and health 

certificates, to verify presence and to confirm the shipment meets all 

applicable requirements. If the shipment does not meet these requirements, 

VS port personnel will work with the importer to correct discrepancies. If 

discrepancies are irreconcilable, they notify the Field Operations port 
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Veterinarian in Charge, who will communicate with appropriate Live Animal 

Import personnel.

2) Visual inspection of the animals. If the animals appear diseased, VS port 

personnel notify the Field Operations port Veterinarian in Charge who 

communicates issues to appropriate Live Animal Import personnel and/or the

Veterinarian in Charge of the final approved destination. VS Field Operations 

port personnel, at their discretion, contact the shipper’s listed emergency 

contact and enact the pre-approved contingency plan.

3) For animal transits not meeting permit requirements, VS Field Operations 

port personnel, appropriate Live Animal Import personnel, and the quarantine 

facility Veterinarian in Charge may permit the shipment to continue to a 

USDA-approved quarantine facility. 

e. Crates or cages holding transit animals must be sufficiently constructed to 

minimize escape, promote the animals’ survival, and contain all animal waste 

and debris. All shipping containers should comply with International Air Transport 

Association (IATA) Live Animal Regulations. VS may refuse entry to shipments 

not meeting these criteria.

2. Export transits at airports. These shipments originate within the United States, proceed 

through an export inspection facility, and then go to an initial U.S. airport. They may 

move through other domestic ports, where VS considers them transits, before exiting 

the United States en route to a foreign country (see flow diagram on page 2 of this 

guidance). The following applies:

a. Livestock

1) At the initial U.S. port, follow routine export procedures for that commodity.

2) At subsequent ports through which the live animal commodity transits, VS 

port personnel:

a) Confirm the presence of U.S. origin health certificates and VS Form 17-37 

(Certification of Inspection of Export Animals). 

b) Evaluate the animals after arrival. VS port personnel must have a reliable 

way to receive notification of flight delays or cancellation, or the need to 

offload animals for any reason. VS must approve and oversee any 

offloading.

c) Refer to the Export Notice of April 9, 2018, for further information.

b. Poultry (hatching eggs and day-old chicks): Do not need export transit monitoring

(these shipments are not issued VS 17- 37 forms).
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3. Third country import transits at airports. These shipments originate in a foreign 

country and move though one or more U.S. ports before exiting the United States en 

route to a third-country destination (see flow diagram on page 2). The following 

applies:

a. Livestock and birds

1) VS port personnel confirm the presence of U.S. transit permit and foreign 

health certificates for the shipment. 

2) VS port personnel monitor the animals for the duration of the time at the port 

as indicated on the transit permit. VS port personnel have the discretion to 

stop monitoring when the airplane cargo doors are closed. In this case, VS 

port personnel must have a reliable way to receive notification of flight delays 

or cancellation, or the need to offload animals for any reason. VS must 

approve and oversee any offloading.

b. Poultry (hatching eggs and day-old chicks)

1) Port personnel monitor the transit in the same manner as for livestock and 

birds (see above).

2) Exception: Poultry from Canada. Upon arrival, VS personnel inspect the 

shipment and verify that documents include Canadian health certificates and 

U.S. transit permits. These shipments do not need to be monitored for the 

duration of the time spent at the port.

4. Internal import transits at airports: These shipments are intended for importation into 

the United States, but may move through multiple domestic ports en route to the final 

port or other VS-approved facility for a more thorough or final inspection prior to 

release. 

a. The transit permit and other accompanying documents (such as an import 

protocol or compliance agreement) indicate the required documents, methods of 

monitoring the shipment, and location and time VS personnel will inspect the 

shipment.

b. VS may consider permission to continue to a USDA-approved quarantine facility 

for internal transit shipments containing dead animals (or, in the case of birds or 

fish, a higher than expected level of mortality for the species), or which could 

introduce disease. Continued movement is at the discretion of the VS port 

personnel, appropriate Live Animal Import permitting team personnel, and the 

port Veterinarian in Charge of the quarantine facility. VS personnel monitoring 

these shipments should note any mortalities on the documents accompanying 

the shipment and work with appropriate Live Animal Import permitting team

personnel and/or the VS Field Operations port Veterinarian in Charge to notify 

the final destination. If applicable, necropsies of dead animals will be completed 

at the final destination.
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 Veterinary Services

 VS Guidance 13404.1

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D. Criteria for Airport Animal Holding Facilities 

1. Transporters may offload regulated animals transiting the United States for 

inspection. Animals may also be held in VS-approved facilities/spaces during 

emergencies or flight delays.

2. For animals to be offloaded or held at an airport, the port must have a facility capable 

of handling animals of that species. The port Veterinarian in Charge must approve 

the facility before the shipment arrives. The facility must be:

a. Sufficiently isolated and designated to ensure biosecurity including preventing 

direct contact with all other animals and limiting human contact with the regulated 

shipment.

b. Appropriately cleaned and disinfected.

c. Able to dispose of animal and bird excrement, bedding, shipping materials, and 

other wastes to prevent disease dissemination. Current disposal options include 

incineration and other methods acceptable under international regulated waste 

regulations.

d. Able to supply animals with ample feed, water, and care.

e. Able to comply with any additional VS requirements for a particular shipment or 

species.

f. Able to comply with all applicable local, State, and Federal environmental quality 

requirements.

3. Fish species VS regulates for spring viremia of carp may be allowed to remain at an 

approved holding facility for up to 7 days while in transit. See 9 CFR 93.901(b)(4).

4. VS will apply user fees to inspect, approve, and monitor such facilities per shipment, 

including verification of disinfection between shipments as VS requires.

5. The importer, agent, or shipper must ensure that proposed facilities/spaces meet the 

above criteria before VS issues a transit permit or facilitates the transit. 

E. Roles and Responsibilities at Airports

1. Importers, brokers, agents, or shippers must:

a. Submit transit permit applications to VS at least 7 business days before a 

regulated live animal transit shipment arrives.

b. Coordinate with VS port personnel at least 3 business days before the 

shipment’s arrival to confirm port personnel availability, logistics, and payment 

method for applicable inspection fees. 
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c. Provide VS with required entry documentation.

d. Arrange for adequate contingency plan and facility or space (where there are no 

permanent facilities available). VS must approve the space before issuing the 

permit. 

e. Provide VS port personnel with emergency contact information during the time of 

the shipment. 

f. Arrange to pay all fees incurred.

2. Live Animal Imports will:

a. Serve as subject matter experts on live animal transit matters. 

b. Set transit requirements based on disease risk.

c. Identify risk mitigation methods.

d. Identify countries affected by diseases making them ineligible to export specified 

live animal commodities to the United States. Animals may not transit these 

countries en route to the United States.

3. The Live Animal Imports permit team will:

a. Review transit permit applications.

b. Determine the shipment’s eligibility for the transit requested including ensuring 

that animals do not originate from or transit countries not eligible to export similar 

commodities to the United States.

c. Consult with VS Field Operations port personnel to ensure ports have adequate 

staff and evaluate proposed contingency arrangements for approval.

d. Issue the appropriate permits and collect associated user fees. 

e. Fully inform field VS port personnel regarding additional or non-routine required 

documents and content, including certifications and health certificate test results, 

for the shipment.

f. Specify additional transit permit restrictions case by case.

g. Provide the final transit permits to importers or their agents, VS port personnel, 

and any applicable interim inspection locations required by the transit permit

conditions.
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4. VS Field Operations port personnel will:

a. Confirm, on request to the Live Animal Imports permitting team, that the Field 

Operations port Veterinarian in Charge has approved an adequate contingency 

facility or space.

b. Confirm that importers or brokers have arranged for shipment inspection and 

payment for expected VS services.

c. Review required documents (such as transit permits, health certificates, and 

declarations of importation) accompanying the shipment. If personnel note 

discrepancies, they must notify their supervisory chain. 

d. Review the shipment’s travel route to the port to confirm that animals did not 

originate from or transit countries not eligible to export similar commodities to the 

United States.

e. Inspect shipments and confirm that the animals appear healthy for further travel.

f. Verify that current seals on shipments and any seal changes match 

accompanying paperwork, if applicable.

g. Offload animals as needed. Seals, if present, may be broken as needed.

Supervise proper reloading onto a conveyance if applicable.

h. Re-seal the conveyance with USDA seals, if necessary. Indicate seal number 

changes on VS 1-27 (Permit for Movement of Animals) forms accompanying the 

shipment.

i. Review feed, water, and rest logs for the time the shipment was within U.S.

borders.

j. Complete and return any VS 1-27 forms to the originating port, if applicable.

Correspond with the port of entry regarding the animals’ condition.

F. Disinfection of Conveyances, Shipping Containers, Other Equipment, and Contingency 

Facilities/Space Used for Transiting Animals.

1. Consult the following regulations and VS Memoranda for additional information on 

inspecting, cleaning, and disinfecting animal conveyances and/or shipping 

containers:

a. 9 CFR 93.202, 93.302, 93.402, 93.502, and 93.904.

b. VS Memorandum No 593.18, Contaminated Aircraft Inspection and Cleaning and 

Disinfection.
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 Veterinary Services

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c. VS Memorandum No. 593.111, Disinfection of Animal Embryo or Semen 

Containers Returned to the United States.

2. VS Field Operations port personnel should oversee disinfection of conveyances, 

permanent or contingency facilities/spaces, equipment, or other physical materials 

associated with transit shipments or supervise personnel hired to do so.

3. Shippers should arrange in advance to adequately contain and dispose of 

wastewater from cleaning and disinfection procedures. Such liquid should be 

directed into municipal or private sewage systems and treated with chlorine or other 

means to neutralize pathogens such as viruses or bacteria. Subject to applicable 

Federal, State, or local ordinances, wastewater may be suctioned or otherwise 

directed into portable containers and disinfected onsite. 

4. All contractors or subcontractors performing disinfecting work should sign a service 

agreement. At a minimum, these agreements should require VS to perform or 

supervise the following:

a. Meet and board the conveyance after CBP clearance, if applicable.

b. Examine the cargo and the conveyance for contamination.

c. If the conveyance or any item on it (such as feed, bedding, or riding equipment) 

is contaminated with any materials, such as manure or soil, that could spread 

diseases, prevent the shipper from offloading any animals or other cargo from 

any contaminated area until personnel remove all contaminants and disinfect the 

affected area.

d. If the conveyance is not obviously contaminated, allow the shipper to offload the 

animals or other cargo.

e. Either clean and disinfect the conveyance, or notify a service contractor to clean 

and disinfect the conveyance. The cleaner must use an approved cleaning agent 

to remove organic material followed by use of an approved disinfectant. Refer to 

9 CFR 71.10 for approved disinfectants. VS Memorandum No. 593.18 lists 

cleaning and disinfection instructions for aircraft.

f. After cleaning and disinfecting the conveyance, visually inspect animals to 

determine health status for further movement. Inspect animals in shipping 

containers, in transport vans, or in examination pens as appropriate. The 

conveyance may be reloaded if applicable. 

g. Dispose of boots and coveralls of anyone in contact with the inside of the 

conveyance or examination pen in a biosecure manner or remove visible organic 

matter and disinfect using an agent listed in 9 CFR 71.10.
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h. Place any removable equipment service contractors will clean (such as shipping 

stalls, reusable crates, etc.) near an electrical outlet so the contractors can

vacuum the equipment after removing the bulk of the waste material. 

i. Monitor the cleaning and disinfection process. Inspect conveyances and 

equipment on completing cleaning and disinfection.

j. If the contractor does not clean the conveyance/equipment/contingency 

facility/space to the VS inspector’s satisfaction, the inspector instructs the 

contractor to repeat the cleaning process.

k. Once VS approves the cleaning and disinfection, issue a VS Form 1-86A 

(Cleaned, Washed, Disinfected tag) for the conveyance and, if applicable, for 

each stall or piece of equipment cleaned. Give the contractor the form originals. 

VS retains a log of VS 1-86A forms issued for a minimum for 3 years.

G. Transits through Land Border Ports

Live animal commodities originating in Canada may enter the United States at land 

border ports designated in 9 CFR 93.503 and transit the United States en route to a third 

country. These shipments exit the United States at a U.S. airport or at another U.S. land 

border port (see flow diagram on page 2). Unless the transit permit exempts it, VS 

personnel must monitor regulated live animal commodity shipments throughout the 

transit.

This section covers third country transit shipments both entering and exiting the United 

States at land border ports. This section also includes guidelines for import (internal) 

transits entering at U.S. land border ports and proceeding to an approved U.S. interim 

destination for full inspection and clearance.

1. Permits and other forms at land border ports

a. Importers, agents or shippers:

1) Apply for a transit permit through Live Animal Imports or the Field Operations 

port permitting team sufficiently in advance to allow the permit to accompany 

the shipment. Importers, agents, or shippers must apply for the permit at least 

7 business days before the shipment arrives.

2) Provide Field Operations port personnel with appropriate documentation 

including a valid transit permit, a VS 17-29 (Declaration of Importation), 

copies of valid health certificates, and feed, water, and rest (FWR) logs.

3) If applicable, identify an approved FWR facility for the shipment. If an 

approved facility does not exist in the geographic area through which the 

shipment will travel, importers must locate a suitable facility and complete the 

approval process before receiving a transit permit.
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4) Importers, shippers, and agents may find a list of approved FWR facilities 

here.

b. Live Animal Imports or the Field Operations port permit issuing team will:

1) Determine the shipment’s eligibility for transit.

2) Determine that the type, size, and number of animals on the proposed 

shipment and weather conditions at the time of shipment are not likely to 

endanger the animals’ fitness to travel.

3) Consult with port personnel or port services offices to ensure the availability 

of staff and facilities.

4) Issue the appropriate transit permit including case-by-case specification of 

any special conditions or restrictions.

5) Provide transit permits to importers, port services offices, VS port personnel, 

and any applicable FWR stations or interim inspection locations. Permits

must clearly indicate locations for mandated stops at FWR stations.

c. Field Operations port (entry or exit) personnel will:

1) Review transit permit conditions before the load arrives to confirm the type, 

size, and number of animals on the proposed shipment.

2) Notify the Live Animal permit team or the Field Operations port services office 

if they have not received transit permits 1 or 2 days before a shipment with an 

appointment arrives. 

3) Verify adequacy of documents presented with the shipment, including transit 

permits, health certificates, VS 17-29 (Declaration of Importation) forms (port 

of entry only), VS 17-30 (Report of Animals, Poultry, or Eggs Offered for 

Importation) forms, VS 1-27 (Permit for Movement of Animals) forms, and 

FWR logs.

4) Review the shipment’s route to the port to confirm that animals did not 

originate from or transit countries not eligible to export similar commodities to 

the United States.

5) If the shipment is fit for further travel, complete VS 17-30, VS 1-27, VS 17-41 

(Notice of Animals Not Shipped) (port of exit only) with comments regarding 

the animals’ condition and user fee statements as appropriate.

6) If personnel refuse entry to all or part of the shipment or deem it unfit for 

further travel, complete VS 17-41 (port of exit only). List refusal reasons in the 

Veterinary Services Processing System (VSPS) (at the port of entry) as 

appropriate.
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H. Scheduling and Notification at Land Border Ports

1. Importers, agents or shippers will:

a. Coordinate with Field Operations personnel at ports of entry, ports of exit, and 

any FWR facilities or other designated facilities (internal transits) to confirm 

logistics at least 72 hours in advance of a shipment’s arrival.

b. Arrange for an adequate VS-approved contingency facility or space.

c. Review appropriate loading densities for the species being shipped, and fitnessto-load, plus weather conditions potentially affecting the health and safety of the 

animals for the projected transport period.

2. Port (entry or exit) personnel will:

a. Respond to special transit load scheduling requests. Shippers may have little 

control over flight scheduling or entering foreign countries. Minimize wait times for 

animals in transit when reasonably possible. 

b. If personnel need contact at the port with conveyances containing slaughter, mixed 

source and/or untested animals, wear appropriate personal protective equipment 

(PPE). Animals transiting to a third country may have extremely high health status 

which may be jeopardized by close contact with animals of lower health status.

c. Confirm with subsequent stops (FWR stops, ports of exit and/or interim inspection 

locations for internal transfers) that the importer or his or her agent has made 

appropriate appointments for the shipment.

I. Monitoring and Inspection at Land Border Ports

1. Importers, agents or shippers should: 

a. Carry adequate equipment and supplies for watering and feeding animals en 

route.

b. Arrive on time for their inspection appointment. If this is not possible, notify entry 

and exit ports, FWR stops, and/or interim inspection facilities and reschedule the 

appointment.

2. Field Operations port (entry or exit) personnel will:

a. Inspect shipments and confirm that animals appear healthy to travel.

b. Verify that identification matches health certificates on a small percentage of 

animals, as applicable.
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c. Refuse entry or further travel to animals appearing unhealthy to travel or not 

matching animal IDs listed on health certificates.

d. Verify that current seals on the shipment and any seal changes match 

accompanying paperwork.

e. Offload animals as needed. Break Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)

seals, if present, as needed. Supervise proper reloading onto the conveyance if 

applicable.

f. Review FWR logs for the time the shipment was within U.S. borders (port of exit).

g. Seal or re-seal the conveyance. If CFIA seals appropriately seal the trailer, these 

seals may remain in place with their numbers recorded. CFIA seals may be used 

in place of, or with, USDA seals on these vehicles. 

h. If the shipment is fit for further travel, complete VS 17-30, VS 1-27, VS 17-41 

(port of exit) with comments regarding the animals’ condition and user fee 

statements as appropriate.

i. If the shipment or part of the shipment is refused entry or deemed unfit for further 

travel, complete VS 17-41 (port of exit) or refusal reasons in VSPS (port of entry).

J. Feed, Water. and Rest (FWR) Stops after Entering at Land Border Ports

1. Per 49 U.S.C. 80502, transporters may not confine animals for more than 28 

consecutive hours without unloading for feed, water, and rest. The FWR stop may 

take place inside the transport conveyance if all the animals have room to lie down at 

the same time. Time spent unloading and reloading is not included as part of a 

confinement period. Animals should be unloaded humanely into pens equipped for 

feeding, watering, and resting for at least 5 consecutive hours at the owner’s or 

agent’s expense. Violators are subject to civil penalties for each violation. This law is 

known as the “Twenty Eight Hour Law”. VS uses time the shipment spends inside 

U.S. borders to determine the elapse of 28 hours. 

2. APHIS placed its Twenty-Eight Hour Law policy statement at 9 CFR part 89. It can 

be summarized as follows:

a. Feed. The amount of feed required for livestock in transit should sustain the 

animals until the next feeding station or destination. Feed amounts for various 

species and quantities of livestock appear in a table at 9 CFR 89.1. If further 

delays in movement of animals occur, or if animals remain at a feeding station 12 

hours after the previous feeding, feed again. Transporters may feed animals in 

the conveyance if there is ample room for all animals to lie down at the same 

time. Evenly distribute feed throughout the conveyance.

b. Water. Livestock should be furnished enough clean, potable water so that all 

animals can drink their fill. In cold weather, water should be free of ice. Troughs 
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or other drinking receptacles should be clean. Transporters may water animals 

on the conveyance.

c. Rest. Pens or other enclosures should have:

1) Sufficient space for all animals to lie down at the same time.

2) Properly designed equipment for feeding and watering the animals.

3) Well drained, clean, and safe floors.

4) Appropriate protection from weather reasonably expected in the region.

d. If animals will be unloaded, use approved FWR facilities. 

e. Transporters may find a current list of approved FWR facilities here.

3. If animals are unloaded for feed, water, and rest, VS personnel or designates must:

a. Verify that seals on the conveyance match those on accompanying documents.

b. Break seals and supervise offloading into a VS-approved FWR facility.

c. Ensure that transporters have fed, watered, and rested animals as described in

9 CFR part 89 as summarized above.

d. Supervise reloading of animals onto the conveyance.

e. Apply new seals to the conveyance where necessary. VS and/or CFIA seals,

which appropriately sealed the conveyance on arrival at the FWR facility, may 

remain in place. VS personnel or designates may use additional USDA seals to 

seal any doors opened to allow unloading of animals.

f. Note new seal numbers on the VS 1-27 accompanying the load.

4. The applicable Field Operations Service Center may designate a facility for use 

during emergencies such as mechanical breakdowns or accidents. When 

transporters reload the shipment for further movement, personnel should reseal the 

conveyance and note any seal changes on the accompanying VS 1-27.

5. Refer to VS Guidance 6002.1, “Determination of the Seriousness of Alleged 

Violations of Statutes and Regulations Administered by Veterinary Services and 

Enforcement Actions,” when an investigation is warranted.
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K. Communication at Land Border Ports

1. The Live Animal Imports or Field Operations port permit team will:

a. Provide to importers, port services offices, VS port personnel, and any applicable 

FWR stations or interim inspection locations the permit or permits associated 

with the transit. Permits will clearly indicate locations for mandated FWR stops

for specific species.

b. If the route requires an FWR stop, or a contingency offload, the permit issuing 

office will require the applicant to identify a location for the stop and will work with 

VS personnel in that State to inspect and approve the location as needed in 

advance of the transit.

c. Ascertain that the importer has scheduled appointments with VS ports and 

applicable FWR stations or interim inspection locations.

2. VS Field Operations port of entry personnel will: 

a. Provide to the port of exit, FWR stations, and/or interim inspection locations the 

following:

1) The VS 17-30, which shows the importer’s contact information, type and 

number of animals, and time of the shipment’s clearance at the port of entry.

2) The VS 1-27.

3) The transit permit.

4) An estimated time of arrival at subsequent ports or FWR facilities obtained 

from the load driver.

5) A statement on the animals’ condition, especially if there is a concern with 

adverse temperatures and potential severe weather conditions later in the 

trip.

b. Communicate with the importer, the CFIA, and Live Animal Imports and Field 

Operations port permit team (if applicable) regarding negative outcomes of transit 

loads.

c. Retain completed VS 1-27s, VS 17-41s, and any correspondence regarding 

condition of the animals with the remaining documents for the shipment.
 United States Department of Agriculture

Marketing and Regulatory Programs

 Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

 Veterinary Services

 VS Guidance 13404.1

17

3. The Field Operations port of exit and/or FWR stations and/or interim inspection 

locations will:

a. Provide to the port of entry the completed VS 1-27, and a VS 17-41 for each 

shipment.

Comments on the condition of the animals, particularly if there are negative 

outcomes, should be listed on the VS 1-27 form or an addendum attached to the 

VS 1-27 form. Enter a notation in Veterinary Services Process Streamlining

(VSPS) system concerning the issue or issues.

b. Retain completed VS 1-27s, VS 17-41s, and any correspondence regarding 

condition of the animals with the remaining documents for the shipment.

c. Contact Live Animal Imports concerning serious transport health and safety 

issues, especially increased incidences of animal deaths, unexpected number of 

deaths, or downed/ debilitated animals.

d. Any euthanasia of downed or debilitated animals should also be recorded on the 

VS 1-27b.

7. Inquiries

For questions related to this document, please contact: Field Operations Port Services Port 

Information, or Strategy and Policy Live Animal Imports, phone 301-851-3300, Option #2.