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All birds -- those taken out of the country as well as those being returned -- are subject to Federal controls and restrictions. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulate the importation of birds into the United States.
To prevent the introduction of exotic diseases of poultry into the United States, the U.S. Department of Agriculture regulates the importation of all birds entering the country:
- Most birds must be quarantined upon arrival for a minimum of 30 days in a USDA Animal Import Center. The birds must enter the United States through one of three ports of entry where the quarantine facilities are located:
New York, NY
(845) 564-2950
Miami, FL
(305) 526-2925
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 725-1970
- Quarantine space must be reserved in advance by contacting one of the USDA Animal Import Centers listed above. All quarantine fees must also be paid in full in advance.
- A USDA import permit is required for most imported birds. Permit application forms can be obtained by contacting the USDA Animal Import Center directly or can be found on their Web site
- All birds imported into the United States must be inspected by a USDA port veterinarian at the first U.S. port of entry. This inspection must be arranged in advance by contacting the port veterinarian at least 72 hours prior to travel. The phone number for the USDA port veterinarian will be located on the import permit or it can be found on their Web site
- A current veterinary health certificate must accompany the bird. The health certificate must be endorsed by a national veterinarian of the country of export and be issued within 30 days of importation.
- Returning U.S. origin pet birds may be quarantined in the owner’s home for a minimum of 30 days. In order to show proof of U.S. origin, the birds must be accompanied by a veterinary health certificate issued by a U.S. veterinarian prior to leaving the country.
- Birds imported from Canada are exempt from quarantine requirements. However, all birds must be examined by a USDA port veterinarian at the first U.S. port of entry. If the birds enter the United States via a U.S.-Canadian land border port, no import permit is required. If the birds enter via an airport, an import permit is required. The permit application form can be obtained by calling (301) 734-8364 or can be found on the Internet, as above.
- Because certain States administer their own regulations to protect wildlife and animal health, you should contact appropriate State officials to learn about State requirements, if any, when making importation arrangements.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service also regulates the importation of most birds. For more information, contact the USFWS at (703) 358-2104 (if calling from within the United States) or (800) 358-2104 (if calling from outside the United States).
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