Bring Five or Fewer Pet Birds into the United States

Last Modified: November 04, 2024
two small pet bird, one blue and one yellow, perched together on the entrance to a bird cage, facing camera

This page will guide you through the requirements for bringing pet birds into the United States from another country. 

A shipment of pet birds is defined as five or fewer birds brought into the United States that aren't intended for resale and are not a poultry species. 

*Not all birds qualify for pet travel.

If you're bringing in six or more pet birds or any number of birds classified as poultry, they do not qualify for pet travel. This means they are subject to different regulations. 

The following birds DON'T qualify as pets, meaning they're subject to different regulations. Because they may carry and transmit certain diseases to the U.S. poultry industry, these birds are regulated as poultry.

  • Chickens
  • Doves
  • Ducks
  • Geese
  • Grouse
  • Guinea fowl
  • Partridges
  • Pea fowl
  • Pheasants
  • Pigeons
  • Quail
  • Swans
  • Turkeys

View the import regulations if your bird does not qualify as a pet

Carefully read ALL requirements on this page.

Your pet bird may be refused entry into the United States if you fail to meet these import requirements. The U.S. Department of Agriculture is one of several U.S. agencies that regulate the entry of pets into the United States. It is important that you notify and coordinate with all responsible government agencies.

CANADIAN TRAVEL - BY LAND

Pet birds starting travel in Canada with destination of Alaska, U.S. must email the U.S. Alaska Import Manager at vs.sumas.poe@usda.gov or vs.nbp@usda.gov or call 360-988-5715 for detailed instructions on port passage.

Shipments starting travel in the lower 48 States (of the United States), transiting Canada with the final destination of Alaska, must contact: vs.sumas.poe@usda.gov or vs.nbp@usda.gov, or call 360-988-5715 to obtain detailed instructions for transiting Canada into Alaska.

Summary

The requirements for bringing your pet bird into the United States vary depending on the following factors: the foreign country you're traveling from; whether your bird is considered U.S.-origin (as determined by a U.S. health certificate issued before the pet bird left the United States); and whether your bird originated from or will transit through countries or zones affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

PET BIRD ORIGIN

REQUIREMENTS

CountryEntering at/from...

Import Permit

Veterinary Health Certificate

Quarantine

Port Inspection Upon Entry

CanadaPet bird(s) entering at a LAND border portNot Required1RequiredNot Required (except when originated from or transited through an HPAI-restricted zone)1Required
Pet bird(s) entering at an AIR or SEA portRequiredRequiredNot Required (except when originated from or transited through an HPAI-restricted zone)1Required
MexicoPet bird(s) entering at a LAND border portEntry Prohibited
Pet bird(s) entering at an AIR or SEA portRequiredRequired30-Day Federal Quarantine2Required

All Other Countries

 

Pet bird(s) coming from HPAI-free countryRequiredRequired30-Day Quarantine3Required
Pet bird(s) coming from HPAI-affected countryRequiredRequired30-Day Federal QuarantineRequired

1Pet birds which originate from or transit through a zone restricted by CFIA due to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), must be flown directly to John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York) or Miami International Airport (Florida) to undergo a 30-day Federal quarantine with mandatory testing. These bird(s) will not be allowed to import through a land border port.

2Pet birds from Mexico must go to Federal quarantine for at least 30 days upon arrival in the United States.  These pet birds may also only enter the U.S. at certain designated ports.

3 Pet birds which were issued a health certificate before leaving the U.S. may show a copy of the U.S.-issued health certificate during permit application. For a bird to be eligible for home quarantine, the identification (microchip, tattoo, leg band) listed on the U.S. origin health certificate and the health certificate issued by the foreign country prior to returning to the United States must match that on the bird. You must pay home quarantine costs when you apply for the permit. See user fees for home quarantine.

Pet birds from Mexico that are refused entry into the United States should review and follow requirements (65.31 KB) to return the shipment to Mexico.

Travel Requirements

The import requirements for pet bird(s) include:

  • USDA Import Permit
  • Veterinary Export Health Certificate
  • USDA Port Inspection
  • Import Quarantine

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services may also regulate pet bird imports. All shipments should be cleared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) upon arrival in the United States. The CBP OneTM Mobile Application is available to facilitate pet bird’s CBP agriculture inspection. Importers may request an inspection, upload required documentation, and view the status and details of the inspection prior to arrival using the app.

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. 

  • 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, see Animal Health Permits. 
  • Importers must submit the import permit application at least 7 business days prior to shipping the birds. You need to know your route of travel and specify a travel date before applying.
  • The original import permit is valid for 30 days and must accompany all pet bird shipments.

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

  • Pet 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 authority of that country
      Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement must be specified on the import permit.
  • Exporting countries may use the model health certificates available below or use their own document as long as it contains U.S. import health certificate requirements.
  • Model health certificates:

  • Pet bird shipments must enter the United Sates through designated or limited ports where a USDA port veterinarian is available for inspection. If pet birds attempt to enter the United States at another port, they will be refused entry by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. 
  • A USDA port veterinarian must inspect the pet bird(s) at the U.S. port of entry, unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. import permit.
  • The importer must arrange for inspection at least 3 business days in advance by contacting the USDA port veterinarian listed on the import permit, including pet bird importers entering the U.S. at a land border port.
  • The USDA port veterinarian will visually inspect the shipment, export health certificate, and U.S. import permit. View user fee rates for inspection services.

  • All pet birds require a 30-day quarantine with mandatory testing for HPAI and Newcastle disease, except for pet birds imported from Canada. 
  • Quarantine must occur at a U.S. Federal quarantine facility except for U.S.-origin pet birds returning from an HPAI-free country that are eligible for home quarantine.
    • USDA port personnel who conducted the initial inspection at the U.S. port of entry, along with the importer, will take the bird from the port of entry to the Animal Import Center. USDA port personnel will explain in detail the quarantine and testing procedures.
  • Importers should make reservations directly with the USDA Animal Import 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. View user fee rates for inspection services. The Animal Import Center will provide an estimate of the total quarantine costs.

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
  • U.S.-origin pet birds returning from an HPAI-free country may qualify for home quarantine. 
    • The import permit will list the home quarantine location. Approval for home quarantine  is approved when the permit is issued, as long as the bird arrives with compliant import documentation. The quarantine cycle begins when the pet bird leaves the port of entry for home and continues for at least 30 days.
    • The pet bird(s) will be tested twice during quarantine for HPAI and Newcastle disease. Both sets of samples must have negative results before the bird(s) will be released from home quarantine.
    • USDA port personnel will conduct an initial inspection at the port of entry and take the first set of samples. The importer must sign an “Agreement of Pet Bird Owner” VS Form 17-8 (128.93 KB) after the initial inspection and sample collection. 
    • A USDA veterinarian will visit your home to collect the second set of samples from your bird(s) for testing.  You should be prepared to restrain your bird for the inspection and sample collection. 
    • Fees for the home quarantine, home inspection and testing, and port of entry inspection, are paid at the time of permit application. If importers arrive at the U.S. port of entry outside regular business hours, an additional fee, at the time of arrival will be charged.

USDA Transit Process

  • Pet bird(s) that originate from or transit an HPAI-affected region may not transit the United States enroute to a third country destination. 
  • Eligible pet birds transiting the United States from the exporting country to a third country destination must be accompanied by a USDA transit permit (211.74 KB).
  • 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 whose contact information is 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 any special instructions for the importer and port staff. For more information, see VSG 13404.2 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).

Note: Transiting shipments may require monitoring by the USDA upon arrival at the first port of entry. 

U.S. State and Territory Requirements

Find U.S. State and Territory Requirements

APHIS doesn't regulate the interstate movement of pets by their owners. Domestic movement requirements are set by the receiving State or Territory. To learn more about the requirements for moving your pet to another State or Territory, select your destination State or Territory from the list below. 

If you have questions or need clarification on any of the requirements, or your destination State or Territory is not in the list, please contact the State animal health official for that State or Territory.
 

Airline Requirements

Check with your airline to determine whether they have any additional requirements.

Questions?

View answers to frequently asked questions or contact us for help.

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import Permit team if you have questions before you apply for a permit.

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

APHIS Port Services

For questions about import inspections at a port of entry, quarantine of animals arriving from a foreign country, or requesting approval as a private animal import quarantine facility, contact APHIS Port Services.

Live Animal Import and Export

Contact APHIS' Live Animal Import and Export team for questions about current trade restrictions, or other questions not related to permits.

For general questions related to the import of a live animal:

Live Animal Import and Export

Email: laie@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

All Contacts
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