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National
Center For Infectious Diseases
Division of Global
Migration and Quarantine
(formerly
the Division of Quarantine)
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Frequently Asked Questions about Animal Importation
1. Q: What are the CDC requirements for bringing a pet dog into the United States? Do these requirements differ for puppies? A: Pet dogs (and cats) are subject to inspection upon arrival at ports of entry for evidence of zoonotic disease (disease that can be transmitted to humans). In addition, dogs arriving from countries where rabies is reported are required to be immunized against rabies. Dogs (and cats) that appear to be ill upon arrival, with a disease that may be transmissible to humans, are subject to veterinary medical examination, treatment, and/or quarantine. Dogs that arrive without the required rabies vaccination may enter the United States provided the importer signs and complies with a vaccination and confinement agreement, as described in the Foreign Quarantine Regulations 42CFR71.51 (c). Animals may not be sold during the confinement period. Dogs arriving from countries considered by the World Health Organization to have no reported rabies (see list) are not subject to the rabies vaccination requirement, provided they have spent the 6 months prior to arrival (or their entire life, if the dog is less than 6 months old) in such countries. All pet dogs arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam, even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. NOTE: Because rabies is a deadly human disease that is endemic among certain wildlife in the U.S., CDC strongly recommends, and most state and local jurisdictions require, that all domestic dogs (and cats) receive periodic rabies vaccination. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires dogs that are intended for use in handling livestock and that are imported from regions of the world where screwworm exists, to be proven free of this parasite. Further details can be found on the USDA pet importation website. These requirements apply to puppies as well as adult dogs. 2. Q: What are CDC requirements for adult dogs or puppies being imported for commercial/breeding purposes? A: There are no separate CDC regulations for dogs to
be used for commercial purposes, rather than as pets. The rules for bringing
domestic dogs into the United States are covered under regulation 42CFR71.51.
When importing puppies, the importer is responsible for maintaining quarantine
according to the vaccination and confinement agreement ( 3. Q: What CDC requirements apply to cats? A: Cats are covered under the same regulation as dogs (42CFR71.51). Cats are subject to examination at the port of entry to rule out any zoonotic diseases (diseases that can be transmitted to humans), and may require veterinary medical examination, treatment, and/or quarantine if they appear ill. Although cats are not subject to rabies vaccination regulations, CDC strongly advises all cat owners to have their pets vaccinated against rabies as a precaution. All pet cats are subject to state and local vaccination requirements. Pet cats arriving in the state of Hawaii and the territory of Guam , even from the U.S. mainland, are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. For more information, call the Animal Quarantine Station in Hawaii at 808-483-7151. 4. Q: Can I apply for a CDC permit to import a monkey (nonhuman primate) as a pet? A. No. Because of concerns about zoonotic diseases such as monkeypox, yellow fever, Marburg/Ebola disease, tuberculosis, and other diseases not yet known or recognized, monkeys and other nonhuman primates may not be imported as pets under any circumstances. Importation for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes is strictly controlled through a registration process administered by CDC. Contact 404-498-1670 for information regarding registration. 5. Q: I would like to bring my horse into the United States . Are there CDC requirements for permitting? A: If the horse is not known to carry any diseases transmissible to humans, no CDC regulations would apply. However, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) requires various periods of quarantine depending on the country of origin of the horse. In countries with prevalent screwworm, the quarantine period is 60 days. USDA regulations for importing equines can be found on their Veterinary Services, Import/Export website. 6. Q: What CDC requirements apply to bringing small terrestrial mammals (ferrets, rabbits) and rodents (hamsters, guinea pigs) into the United States? A: Unless they are included in a specific embargo, such as civets, prairie dogs and African rodents, or known to carry disease transmissible to humans, these animals are not covered under CDC regulations. However, state or local regulations may apply. Pet ferrets, for example, are prohibited in California. Any animal known to carry a zoonotic disease is subject to regulation 42CFR71.54. Additionally, animals carrying diseases of risk to domestic or wild animals are subject to regulations from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, as they may be considered injurious species. An FDA-approved rabies vaccine is available for ferrets, although it is not required for importation. CDC advises the use of this vaccine to protect the animal, as well as the owner, from rabies virus that could be acquired within the U.S.7. Q: Can I apply for a CDC permit to import a bat as a pet? A: Certain animals, such as bats, insects and snails, are known to carry zoonotic diseases. Bats are known to carry rabies and histoplasmosis. Importing such animals for any reason requires permits from CDC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. CDC permits are issued by CDC’s Etiologic Agent Import Program, whose guidelines and forms can be found on their website. Because bats can be infected with and transmit rabies, permits are not granted for importing bats as pets. 8. Q: What are CDC requirements for importing pet snakes and other reptiles, such as turtles and tortoises? A: CDC does not regulate snakes, but does limit imports of small turtles. Those with a carapace (shell) length of less than 4 inches may not be imported for any commercial purpose. An individual may import as many as six of these turtles for noncommercial purposes. This rule was implemented in 1975 after it was discovered that small turtles frequently transmitted salmonella to humans, particularly young children. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates the importation of reptiles. Regulations regarding reptiles, fish, and endangered species can be found on their import/export website. 9. Q: What do I need to do to bring my pet bird into the United States? A: Currently, CDC restricts birds only from Asia, in order to prevent the introduction of Avian Influenza. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) implements regulations regarding the importation of birds. To import a pet bird of non-U.S. origin, meaning a bird imported for personal pleasure of the individual owner and not for resale, the owner must fulfill the following requirements:
APHIS also provides procedures for returning pet birds of U.S. origin to the United States, and for a variety of other live bird importation situations. In the United States, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) regulates the importation of birds protected by the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA). These regulations are part of an international conservation effort to protect exotic wild birds subject to trade. Most exotic pet birds, including parrots, parakeets, macaws, lories, and cockatoos, are affected by CITES and the WBCA. However, the budgerigar, cockatiel, and rose-ringed parakeet are exempt. According to the WBCA, to import a pet bird of non-U.S. origin into the United States, you must have continuously resided outside the United States for at least one year. In addition, the WBCA limits the number of pet birds that can be imported to two birds per person, per year. All required WBCA and CITES permits must accompany the bird while in transit. Visit the FWS Wild Bird Conservation Act website to obtain more information and the permit application. 10. Q: What CDC requirements apply to bringing a pet fish into the United States? A: There are no CDC regulations regarding the importation of live fish. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service might have requirements, especially if an endangered or injurious species is involved. The National Marine Fisheries Service may also have regulations. 11. Q: What other types of animals are prohibited from import? A: Certain animals pose an unacceptable risk for carrying and transmitting zoonotic disease:
12. Q: Why do you only require rabies vaccinations in dogs and not other pets, or other types of vaccination such as those against feline leukemia? A: CDC is primarily concerned with preventing the spread of diseases that affect humans. Dogs frequently interact with wild animals, from which they can acquire rabies. An infected dog can be very aggressive and likely to bite humans, even its owner. This is a major route by which people become infected with the rabies virus throughout the world. It is a particularly dangerous disease for humans, as it is 100% fatal once symptoms have begun. CDC focuses its regulation efforts where it will prevent the most harm, and this includes preventing pet dogs from serving as viral vectors for rabies. Other vaccinations, while they are important, are not as relevant for protecting humans. Consult you veterinarian for more information regarding protecting your pet’s health. 13. Q: I work for a zoo, and we want to import an exotic animal. What permits do we need to do this? A: The same CDC regulations that apply to animals for individual use also apply for zoos. These regulations allow for exceptions, as determined by the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. We can supply written permission for importation of restricted animals such as nonhuman primates or African rodents, for use in scientific research institutions and educational exhibits. To apply for permission, please mail or fax a letter providing the following information:
This letter can be faxed to the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine at (404) 498-1633, or mailed to:
Both USDA and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have regulations regarding the importation of animals. The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service explains their relevant regulations on their Veterinary Services Import/Export website. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has its own import/export regulations, as does the National Marine Fisheries Service, especially for marine mammals. 14. Q: Are the regulations the same if I just want to drive over the border with my pet in my car, rather than if traveling by air, or other means?A: All animals entering (or reentering) the United States are subject to the same laws, regardless of the port or method of entry. 15. Q: If traveling by air, do I pick up my pet at the international airport or only at my final destination? A: Pets are generally transported as baggage, and they go through the same procedures as baggage. If a pet does not require quarantine at the port of entry, then an international traveler would pick up both luggage and the pet at international baggage claim, go through customs, then re-check both luggage and the pet for the domestic flight to their final destination. 16. Q: Do I have to indicate I have a pet on my customs declaration card? A: Animals must be included when filling out a customs declaration card. 17. Q: What CDC restrictions apply to interstate and intrastate movement of animals? A: There are no CDC regulations on interstate and intrastate transportation of animals. USDA, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and various states may impose restrictions, depending on the animal. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, working in concert with CDC, has enacted regulations restricting the movement of prairie dogs and African rodents. 18. Q: Do I need to do anything special to import animal trophies, such as for taxidermy? A: Nonhuman primate trophy materials may require a CDC permit. Prospective importers of nonhuman primate trophy materials from nonhuman primates should review the permit requirements and complete an application form, following the Guidance for Individuals Wishing to Import Non-Human Primate Trophies, Skins or Skulls. Trophy materials of other animals under import embargo because of viral zoonotic infections, such as civets, Asian birds, and African rodents, may be imported if the body has been sufficiently processed to render it non-infectious. Proper methods of accomplishing this include:
19. Q: Are there any restrictions on importing products made from animal parts, such as a purse made from animal hide? A: As with animal trophy materials, animal tissue must be properly processed to render it non-infectious. Some products that are more difficult to render non-infectious, such as goat-skin drums from Haiti, which have been associated with anthrax, may not be imported. Such products would be considered a biological sample under regulation 42CFR71.54. It is illegal to traffic in products made from endangered species, such as rhinoceros horn and elephant tusk. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife website provides information on endangered species, the National Marine Fisheries Service website provides information on endangered marine species, and the CITES website provides information on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. 20. Other Useful Links about importation:
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| DQ Home | Travel | Contact Us | | CDC Home | Search | Health Topics A-Z | This page last reviewed July 13, 2004
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