Importing Ratites and Hatching Eggs of Ratites into the United States

Last Modified: October 24, 2024

Emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) - a bird of the order of cassowaries

Ratites are defined as cassowaries, emus, kiwis, ostriches, and rheas.

With few exceptions, ratites and ratite hatching eggs may not import from or transit through regions affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Ratites must be permanently identified per the Code of Federal Regulations Title 9 (9 CFR 93.101 Definitions).

USDA requires the following for all ratite and ratite hatching egg imports:

USDA Import Permit
Veterinary Export Health Certificate
Port Inspection
Import Quarantine

USDA requirements for transiting ratites and ratite hatching eggs through the United States are detailed below under USDA Transit Process.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services may also regulate ratites and ratite hatching eggs at import. Learn more.

Importers may retain the services of a customs broker to facilitate the importation of ratites or ratite hatching eggs. To obtain a list of brokers, contact one of the USDA Animal Import Centers listed under Import Quarantine below.

USDA Import Permit

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.

Ratite shipments must be accompanied by a USDA import permit, except shipments imported from Canada through a land border port.
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 the 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 shipments.

Veterinary Export Health Certificate

Ratites imported from any region of the world must be accompanied by a health certificate in English or with English translation that is:
- Issued within 30 days by a salaried veterinarian of the national government of the exporting region and endorsed by that national authority OR
- Issued by a certifying official and AND
- Endorsed by the competent animal health authority of that country, unless stated otherwise on the import permit.
Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement will be specified on the import permit.
Canada has a specific health certificate for ratites and ratite hatching eggs. Other countries may use the U.S. model health certificate for ratites or their own document that contains the same requirements as the model health certificate.
- Canada:
  - Live, Hatching Eggs, and Immediate Slaughter Ratites - Health Certificate - Canada (319.17 KB) - August 2024
- Other countries:
  - (Live Ratites) Avian - Ratites - Model Health Certificate (284.67 KB) - June 2024
  - (Hatching Eggs of Ratites) Avian - Hatching Eggs of Ratites - Model Health Certificate (255.78 KB) -June 2024

Port Inspection

Ratites and ratite hatching eggs 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 ratite and ratite hatching egg shipments at the first U.S. port of entry, unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. 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.
The port veterinarian will visually inspect the shipment, export health certificate, and U.S. import permit. View user fee rates for inspection services.

Instructions for Ratites from Canada for Immediate Slaughter Arriving in a Truck Convoy

The lead vehicle must present original import documents at the port of entry. All other vehicles in the convoy must present separate signed copies of the original documents.

Ratite imports from Canada may not cross the border at Opheim or Oroville.

Import Quarantine

Ratites and ratite hatching eggs 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 ratites (except for immediate slaughter) and ratite hatching eggs must undergo a minimum 30-day quarantine, plus days to hatch if applicable.
- Live ratites may quarantine at a USDA Animal Import Center or a USDA-approved private quarantine facility.
- Ratite hatching eggs must quarantine at a USDA-approved private quarantine facility or hatchery. The importer is responsible for establishing a private quarantine facility or hatchery that meets USDA requirements. View guidance on establishing a private quarantine (280.97 KB). The initial approval process for a private quarantine may take several months and must be completed before USDA will issue the import permit.
Ratites 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. View user fee rates.
To arrange Federal quarantine, contact one of the USDA Animal Import Centers listed below:
- Miami Animal Import Center
  USDA-APHIS-VS
  6300 NW 36 Street
  Miami, FL 33122
  (305) 876-2200 (phone)
  (305) 876-2201 (fax)
  NotifyMAIC@usda.gov
- New York Animal Import Center
  USDA, APHIS, VS
  474 International Boulevard
  Rock Tavern, NY 12575
  (845) 838-5500 (phone)
  (845) 838-5575 (fax)
  VSPSNIC@usda.gov

USDA Transit Process

Ratite and ratite hatching egg shipments transiting the United States from an exporting country to a third country destination must be accompanied by a USDA transit permit and a contingency plan as described in Transit Shipments of Live Animal Commodities (479.88 KB).
Ratites and ratite hatching eggs originating from an HPAI-affected region or that would transit an HPAI-affected region enroute may not transit the United States.
The transit permit application process is the same as the import permit application process (see USDA Import Permit section). Denoting the route of travel on the application distinguishes the type of permit requested.
USDA oversees transit shipments while they are in the United States. The importer must arrange for USDA services at least 72 hours in advance by contacting the USDA port veterinarian listed on the transit permit.
The importer must submit a contingency plan with the permit application and the request for service at the U.S. transit port.
The transit permit lists special instructions for the importer and port staff. For more information, see Transit Shipments of Live Animal Commodities (479.88 KB) and Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import Transit Permits. (272.29 KB)

For more information about importing ratites and ratite hatching eggs or to view associated guidance documents:

View VS Guidance and Other Documents for Avian Importation