Importing Live Cattle and Bison From Countries Other Than Canada and Mexico to the United States

Last Modified: October 16, 2024

USDA APHIS regulates the importation of all ruminants and their germplasm (embryos/oocytes, semen, cloning tissue) to prevent the spread of animal diseases. Ruminants include all animals which chew the cud, such as cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, deer, antelopes, camels, llamas and giraffes.

View Guidelines for Importing Cattle/Ruminants (except from Canada and Mexico) into the United States

View Countries From Which Bovines and Their Germplasm May Be Imported

Requirements

Live Domestic Cattle and Bison

Australia

Contact APHIS; live bovine and bovid imports are not possible at this time.

New Zealand (protocol is being updated); a permit and export health certificate are required.

Bovine Embryos

A permit and export health certificate are required to import bovine embryos from the countries listed below.

Australia (protocol is being updated)

Health Certificate Bovine Embryo Import from Australia (638.6 KB)

European Union

Model Health Certificate Bovid Embryo Import from the European Union (212.77 KB)
- NOTE: This health certificate also allows the import of water buffalo embryos from the EU.

ALERT: Because of ongoing lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Europe, bovine embryos from the following regions, collected on or after the specified dates, are not eligible for importation to the United States:
Greece (August 4, 2015 - present)
Bulgaria (March 29, 2016 - present)
Croatia (August 8, 2016 - present)

Bovine Semen

Bovine semen may only be imported from the countries listed on this page, with an import permit as designated.

Australia (protocol is being updated)

Health Certificate (Bovine Semen from Australia) (644.7 KB)

European Union

Approved EU, Great Britain and Northern Ireland Bovine Semen Sex Sorting Facilities
Model Health Certificate Bovid Semen Import from the European Union (212.87 KB)
- NOTE: This certificate allows the import of water buffalo semen from the EU.
ALERT: Because of ongoing lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Europe, bovine semen from the following regions, collected on or after the specified dates, are not eligible for importation to the United States:
- Greece (August 4, 2015 - present)
- Bulgaria (March 29, 2016 - present)
- Croatia (August 8, 2016 - present)

Czech Republic

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Czech Republic (370.43 KB)

Netherlands

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Netherlands (144.77 KB)

New Zealand

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from New Zealand (447.35 KB)

Norway

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Norway (44.75 KB)

Spain

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Spain (225.38 KB) - May 2024
Veterinary Declaration of Bovine Semen (241.98 KB) - May 2024

Switzerland

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Switzerland (963.05 KB)

United Kingdom (Great Britain, Northern Ireland), a permit and export health certificate are required.

Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Great Britain (publishing.service.gov.uk)
Health Certificate Bovine Semen Import from Northern Ireland (publishing.service.gov.uk)

What You Need To Know

U.S. transits are classified as shipments presented to a U.S. port of entry for conveyance purposes to then be transported to a destination country shortly after. Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import Transit Permits (272.29 KB).
Please note that any animals and their germplasm transiting the United States must not transit countries with questionable disease statuses prior to reaching a U.S. port of entry.
All transits require a contingency plan. Please submit your contingency plan with your permit application (VS 17-129 (211.74 KB)) to laipermits@usda.gov. To submit an import permit electronically, visit APHIS eFile.

If you are applying to import live animals, semen, and embryos, you may submit applications by email to laipermits@usda.gov