Importing Live Poultry into the United States

• Live poultry shipments must be accompanied by a USDA import permit unless the shipment is from Canada and presents at a U.S. land border port of entry. 
• Importers should apply for an import permit online using the APHIS eFile system. This will help expedite the entire permitting process and enable users to track the status of their permits, confirm receipt, and easily renew or amend existing permits. For more information on import permit application, visit Animal Health Permits.
• Alternatively, importers may submit a paper application using VS Form 17-129 Application for Import or In Transit Permit (73.07 KB).
• Importers must submit the import permit application at least 7 business days prior to shipping birds.
• The original import permit is valid for 30 days and must accompany all live poultry shipments.

• Live poultry 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 authority of that country,
  • Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement will be specified on the import permit.
• Certain exporting countries have a specific health certificate for live poultry. Other countries may use the U.S. model health certificate for live poultry or their own document that contains the same requirements as the model.
  • Canada: Avian - Live Poultry - Canada - Health Certificate (413.57 KB) – June 2022
  • European Poultry Trade Region (EPTR): Avian - Live Poultry - EPTR - Health Certificate (538.54 KB) - December 2023
  • Other countries: Avian - Live Poultry - Not EPTR - Model Health Certificate (290.95 KB) - December 2023

• A USDA port veterinarian must inspect live poultry at the first U.S. port of entry, unless otherwise indicated on the import permit.
• The importer must arrange for this inspection at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the USDA port veterinarian, whose contact information is listed on the import permit.
• Inspection consists of a visual inspection of the shipment, export health certificate, and U.S. import permit. You can find user fee rates for inspection services on the APHIS web page VS Import/Export User Fees.

• Live poultry imported from areas of Canada that are not restricted due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or Newcastle disease, and that have not transited such areas, do not require quarantine.
• Other live poultry (not including hatching eggs) must undergo a minimum of 30 days quarantine at a USDA Animal Import Center listed below or a USDA-approved private quarantine facility. For guidance on establishing a private quarantine, see Veterinary Services Documents). Initial USDA approval of a private quarantine facility may take several months; USDA routinely confirms approval before issuing 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. USDA must confirm the reservation before issuing the import permit.
• Fees include, but are not limited to, port inspection, laboratory testing that occurs during quarantine, and the quarantine stay. You can find user fee rates on the APHIS website at VS Import/Export User Fees. The USDA Animal Import Center will provide an estimate of the overall cost of quarantine.
• Birds are tested in quarantine to determine if they are free of certain communicable diseases. The cost of diagnostic testing is separate from the quarantine fee.

USDA Animal Import Centers

For quarantine-related questions, contact one of the following USDA Animal Import Center quarantine facilities:

• Miami Animal Import Center
  USDA-APHIS-VS
  6300 NW 36 St.
  Miami, FL 33122
  Phone: 305-876-2200
  Fax: 305-876-2201
  notifymaic@usda.gov
• New York Animal Import Center
  USDA-APHIS-VS
  474 International Blvd.
  Rock Tavern, NY 12575
  Phone: 845-838-5500
  Fax: 845-838-5575
  vspsnic@usda.gov