USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

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This protocol describes the conditions required to import live domestic breeding swine according to 

regulationsfound in 9 CFR Part 93.

Note: In accordance with this protocol, USDA APHIS reserves the right to inspect the quarantine and 

export facilities as needed in order to ensure USDA APHIS imports standards are met. 

1. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This protocol is only applicable to live swine for breeding purposes exported from Member States of 

the EU recognized by the USDA as low-risk for CSF, listed in Title 9, Code of Federal Regulations 

(9 CFR), Parts 93 and 94, as an “APHIS-defined EU CSF region.” This protocol may also be used 

for the importation of pet swine (intact or neutered) from this region.

1.1. The importer must obtain an Import Permit from the:

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services (VS)

Strategy & Policy, (S&P) Unit 39 

4700 River Road

Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

Telephone: (301) 851-3300, option #2

Fax: (301) 734- 4704

The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit” may be 

obtained by writing or telephoning S&P, or by downloading it from the APHIS web site: 

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/forms.shtml

1.2. The importer must reserve quarantine space at the following USDA animal import center (AIC). 

Information on the Import Center may be found at the following web site: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/nies_contacts/aic.pdf

New York AIC

474 Animal Import Center

Newburg, NY 12550

845‐838‐5500

vspsnic@aphis.usda.gov

1.3. An official health certificate is required on entry into the United States.

1.3.1. The official health certificate must be issued by a veterinarian accredited and recognized 

by the competent veterinary authority of the (EU Member State) and must be 

endorsed by the competent veterinary authority certifying the attestations and tests 

required in this protocol. 

1.3.2. The official health certificate must include:
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

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• name and address of the importer;

• species, breed, and number of animals to be imported;

• purpose of importation

• individual identification, which includes an official eartag number or other 

approved forms of individual identification for the country of origin, and any other 

identification present on the animal, including registration number and brands;

• description of the animals, including age in months, sex, breed, and markings(if

any);

• region/country of origin;

• address or other means of identifying the premises of origin and any other 

premises where the animalsresided immediately prior to export;

• name and address of the exporter;

• name and address of the receiving facility;

• port of embarkation, the mode of transportation, route of travel, and port of entry 

in the United States.

1.3.3. Results and dates of all required official tests must be included in the certification.

1.3.4. Records with animal identification numbers and dates must be included for all animals 

vaccinated for Pseudorabies.

2. CERTIFICATIONS

Certification Statements are performed by the accredited Veterinarian and Official Government 

Veterinarian per the negotiated and approved official health certificate (HC). Please refer to parts 11 

and 13 of the official model Health Certificate.

2.1. The EU Member State is free of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), African swine fever(ASF), and 

swine vesicular disease (SVD).

2.2. The breeding swine have not been imported into the EU Member State from countries/regions 

affected with FMD, African swine fever (ASF), or swine vesicular disease.

2.3. The breeding swine have not been in a country/region where classical swine fever (CSF), 

African swine fever (ASF) or swine vesicular disease (SVD) is known to exist (except for an 

APHIS-defined EU CSF region), as indicated in 9 CFR Part 94; nor have they commingled with 

other swine that at any time were in any of these regions or zones.

2.4. The breeding swine have not transited such countries/regions where ASF is known to exist.

2.5. The breeding swine have not been in a restricted zone in an APHIS-defined EU CSF region 

established because of the detection of classical swine fever in domestic swine, from the time of 

detection until the designation of the zone as a restricted zone is removed by the competent 

veterinary authority of the EU Member State or until 6 months following depopulation of the 

swine on affected premises in the restricted zone and the cleaning and disinfection of the last 

affected premises in the zone, whichever period of time islater.
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

3

2.6. The breeding swine have not been in a restricted zone in an APHIS-defined EU CSF region 

established because of the detection of classical swine fever in wild boar, from the time of 

detection until the designation of the zone as a restricted zone is removed by the competent 

authority of the EU Member State.

2.7. The breeding swine have not commingled with swine that have at any time been in any of the 

regions or zones described in sections 2.4 and 2.5, unless the swine are exported after the periods 

described in these sections.

2.8. The breeding swine have not transited any region or zone described in section 2.5, unless the 

swine were moved directly through the region or zone in a sealed means of conveyance with the 

seal determined to be intact upon arrival at the point of destination, or unless the swine are 

exported after the periods described in these sections.

2.9. Since birth or within the 12 months prior to export to the United States, there was no clinical or 

pathological evidence of tuberculosis (TB), brucellosis, or Aujeszky’s disease found in the swine 

or any other animals in contact with them.

2.10. Swine vaccinated for Pseudorabies, must be accompanied by all vaccination records, 

animals clearly identified individually by official ID numbers, with dates of the 

vaccinations, to document this treatment.

2.11. For 60 days prior to export, no swine erysipelas or swine plague (acute Pasteurellosis) existed 

on the originating or any subsequent premises.

2.12. During the 60 days (minimum) prior to export, the swine were isolated from all other livestock 

in an embarkation quarantine facility approved by and under the supervision of the competent 

veterinary authority of ____________________ (EU Member State).

2.13. During the 60 days prior to export, the swine were not held with animals of lesser health status 

or with animals under any restrictions which would make them ineligible for export to the United 

States.

2.14. A salaried veterinary officer of the competent veterinary authority of ___________________

(EU Member State) inspected the animals at the embarkation quarantine facility within 24 hours 

prior to export and found the swine to be free of clinical evidence of contagious or 

communicable disease and, as far as may be determined, exposure thereto, during the preceding 

60 days in isolation.

3. PRE-EMBARKATION QUARANTINE: The pre-embarkation period is for a minimum of 90 days

(3 months) in an approved quarantine facility approved and overseen by the competent veterinary 

authority of the EU Member State but may be extended to allow for all testing requirements.

4. TESTING: Within the 90-day (3 months) pre-embarkation isolation period prior to export, the 

breeding swine were subjected to the following tests at least once with negative results:
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

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4.1. Tuberculosis: An intradermal tuberculin test with animals injected with 0.1 mL of 

Mycobacterium bovis tuberculin. 

4.1.1. The sites of injection must be the lips of the vulva (boars may be injected at the junction 

of the skin and mucous membrane of the anus) and the soft skin just posterior to the ear. 

4.1.2. The injection sites must be visually observed and palpated 48 hours (plus or minus 6 

hours) following injection. A negative test result is the lack of any response that may be 

seen or palpated. Swine with tissue reactions that may be observed or palpated are 

classified as reactors to M. bovis.

4.1.3. If reactors are observed, all the reactors must be necropsied, and tissues submitted to 

the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) for culture. 

4.1.4. If no gross lesions are observed and all cultures are negative, the remaining non-reactors 

in the shipment may be released.

4.1.5. APHIS recommends the testing be performed as soon as possible after entering the 

quarantine facility.

4.2. Brucellosis - a buffered Brucella antigen test (card test, Rose Bengal test, or the buffered plate 

agglutination test) or an ELISA (indirect or competitive) test. Fluorescence polarization assay 

(FPA) for Brucellosis is an acceptable alternative. Samples with non-negative results must be 

retested with negative results using a suitable confirmatory test,such as the complement fixation 

test.

4.3. Aujeszky’s disease (Pseudorabies): 

4.3.1. A serum neutralization at a dilution of 1:4 or an ELISA test using all the Aujeszky’s 

disease viral antigens in the case of non-vaccinated swine, OR

4.3.2. An ELISA test for Aujeszky’s disease g1 (gE) antigens in the case of swine vaccinated 

with a g1 (gE) deleted vaccine; g1 or gB ELISA test are acceptable alternative tests.

4.3.3. Note: Test records must accompany the shipment. All diagnostic tests must be 

conducted at a laboratory approved by the competent veterinary authority of EU 

Member State.

5. TRANSPORTATION TO PORT OF EMBARKATION AND TOTHE UNITED STATES

5.1. The animals must be transported to the port of embarkation in a vehicle thoroughly cleaned 

and disinfected prior to use.

5.2. The swine must be transported from the embarkation quarantine facility to the port of 

embarkation in a vehicle sealed with an official seal issued by the competent veterinary 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

5

authority. The seal must be broken at the port of embarkation by a veterinarian officially 

recognized by the competent veterinary authority.

5.3. Transportation of swine from the quarantine facility to the port of embarkation must follow all 

guidelines for movement of swine in the European Union, including regulations for feed, water 

and rest periods (FWR). 

5.4. No livestock, other than those intended for export to the United States, are permitted aboard 

the vehicle that transports the swine to the port of embarkation.

5.5. The shipping containers housing the animal(s) will be wrapped underneath and up the side to 

a minimum height of two (2) feet with heavy gauge, impermeable plastic to prevent contact 

of bedding or wastes with the environment or be specifically designed to contain bedding 

and waste.

5.6. All hay, straw, forage, feed, and bedding aboard the transporting aircraft or vessel must 

originate from a Member State designated by the USDA to be free of foot-and-mouth disease 

(FMD), African swine fever, and swine vesicular disease, as indicated in 9 CFR Part 94 and 

other official publications. No equipment or materials used in exporting the swine to the 

United States may have previously been used for transporting swine that do not meet the 

requirements of this protocol, unless the equipment and materials have first been cleaned and

disinfected.

5.7. The transporting aircraft or vessel must be cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of 

the competent veterinary authority prior to loading.

5.8. No livestock, other than those intended for export to the United States, are permitted aboard 

the transporting aircraft or vessel.

5.9. The shipment must be routed directly to the United States with no stops en route other than 

those provided on the USDA import permit. This shipment may not transit a region considered 

by USDA APHIS to have foot and mouth disease (FMD), Classical Swine Fever (CSF) or 

African Swine Fever (ASF) as noted on the USDA APHIS webpage Animal Health Statuses 

of Regions. 

5.10. Transport must be arranged so the arrival at the U.S. port of entry will be accomplished with 

minimal transiting of other U.S. ports of entry. Transit of another U.S. port is only allowed if 

authorized on the import permit issued by USDA APHIS. The import permit must accompany 

the shipment.

5.11. The captain of the transport carrier must be advised of the transportation requirements.

5.12. The import permit and the required certifications relating to the health of the swine, tests 

conducted and results, cleaning and disinfecting, and feed and bedding must accompany the 

swine to the U.S. port of entry.
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

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6. U.S. PORT OF ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

6.1. All hay, straw, bedding, manure, and similar material scattered outside of the animal crates

(except pelleted feed stored separate and apart from the animals) must be removed and 

disposed of in accordance with the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution 

from Ships (MARPOL) guidance upon arrival at the first U.S. port of entry. The animal area

of the aircraft, ship or transport vehicles, and equipment, must be cleaned and disinfected

once livestock have been unloaded (per regulations in 9 CFR 93.402 and 93.502).

6.2. The means of conveyance to the entry quarantine facility must be in a closed vehicle and the 

transport crates must be thoroughly covered with mesh to prevent loss of bedding, etc. from 

escaping into the environment, and sealed with official government seals. 

6.3. Any debris, manure, leftover food, and/ or bedding in the secondary transport conveyance, 

and within the crate(s), must be collected and incinerated as international waste, and the 

vehicle cleaned and disinfected under the supervision of APHIS personnel.

6.4. The port inspection, required testing, and quarantine must be completed at the USDAapproved animal import center at the first port of entry, as specified on the import permit.

6.5. On arrival, the swine will be quarantined at a USDA Animal Import Center facility for a 

minimum of 30 days, with the Aujeszky’s, tuberculosis and brucellosis tests repeated once 

during the quarantine period.

6.6. If all test results are negative and no other infectious and communicable disease conditions 

become evident, and the animals are considered fit for travel, the swine will be released to the

importer.

7. ADDITIONAL IMPORTER RESPONSIBILITIES

7.1. Other relevant agency regulations may be applicable and must also be complied with completely; 

this is the responsibility of the importer. 

7.2. Importers are advised that individual states may have other import regulations than those 

required by the USDA. It is the importer's responsibility to verify these conditions and to meet 

them. The exporter may contact the U.S. State veterinarian (State Regulations and Import

Requirements) of the destination state to determine the state requirements and, among other 

things, whether a state import permit is needed, additional testing is necessary, or nonvaccination status is required.

8. ANIMALS REFUSED ENTRY: 

Any animal refused entry into the United States for noncompliance with the requirements of this 

protocol must be removed from the United States within a time period specified by the 
USDA, APHIS, VETERINARY SERVICES (VS)

STRATEGY & POLICY

PROTOCOL TO IMPORT BREEDING SWINE

FROM A REGION OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (EU)

RECOGNIZED AS LOW-RISK FOR CLASSICAL SWINE FEVER (CSF)

December 2009; Update February 2019

 

7

Administrator, or will be considered abandoned by the importer. Pending removal or abandonment, 

the animal will be subject to such safeguards as the APHIS inspector determines necessary to prevent 

the possible introduction of ectoparasites or disease into the United States. If an animal that has been 

refused entry is not removed from the United States within the prescribed period or is abandoned, it 

may be seized and destroyed, or otherwise disposed of as the Administrator determines necessary to 

prevent the possible introduction of ectoparasites or disease into the United States.