Please use the Veterinary Services Permitting Assistant (VSPA) to confirm your live animal import permit requirements. Select the Live Animals tab. The VSPA will provide you with a summary of required import documents, including permit applications, certificates, informational letters, and more.

• Commercial birds imported from any region of the world must be accompanied by a health certificate in English or with English translation that is:
  ✓Issued by a salaried veterinarian of the national government of the exporting region OR
  ✓Issued by a certifying official AND
  ✓Endorsed by the competent animal health authority of that country.
  Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement should be specified on the import permit.
• Some exporting countries have a specific health certificate for commercial birds. Other countries may use the U.S. model health certificate or their own document that contains the same information and requirements as the model health certificate.

• Commercial bird(s) requiring quarantine must be shipped directly to the U.S. port of entry closest to the intended quarantine facility.
• A USDA port veterinarian must inspect commercial bird shipments at the first U.S. port of entry, unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. import permit.
• The importer must arrange for an inspection at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the USDA port veterinarian, whose contact information is listed on the import permit.
• The port veterinarian will visually inspect the shipment, export health certificate, and U.S. import permit.

• Commercial birds imported from areas of Canada that are not restricted due to HPAI or Newcastle disease, and have not transited such areas, do not require quarantine.
• Other commercial birds (including hatching eggs) must undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine at a USDA Animal Import Center listed below or a USDA-approved private quarantine facility. View guidance for establishing a private quarantine. The initial approval process for a private quarantine may take several months and must be completed before USDA will issue the import permit.
• Importers seeking to quarantine at a USDA Animal Import Center should make reservations directly with the center of choice before the shipment arrives.
• Birds are tested during quarantine to determine if they are free from certain communicable diseases.
  The importer is responsible for all costs and fees associated with the import, including but not limited to costs and fees for port inspection, the quarantine stay, and laboratory testing during quarantine.
• USDA will provide cost estimates for quarantine at a USDA Animal Import Center and for USDA fees associated with quarantine at an approved private facility.