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Import of Live Cattle and Bison from Countries OTHER THAN Canada and Mexico to the United States

Last Modified: May 3, 2022
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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.

Live Domestic Cattle and Bison

Australia: a permit and export health certificate are required

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

Bovine Embryos

— IMPORTANT NOTICE —

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

Australia (protocol is being updated)

European Union

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

New Zealand (protocol is being updated)

Norway

Spain

Switzerland

United Kingdom

Bovine Semen

(Note: bovine semen may only be imported from the countries listed on this page, with an import permit as designated)

Australia (protocol is being updated)

European Union

  • Approved EU, Great Britain and Northern Ireland Bovine Semen Sex Sorting Facilities - September 2021
     
  • Model Health Certificate Bovid Semen Import from the European Union- December 2019        
    • NOTE: This health certificate allows the import of water buffalo semen from the EU.
       
  • ALERT: Because of ongoing lumpy skin disease outbreaks in Europe, the following exclusions apply: Bovine semen from the following regions, collected on or after the specified dates, is not eligible for importation to the United States: Greece (August 4, 2015 - present) and Bulgaria (March 29, 2016 - present) and Croatia (August 8, 2016 - present).

Liechtenstein

Netherlands

New Zealand (protocol is being updated)

 

Norway

Spain

Switzerland

United Kingdom

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.
  • Please note that any animals and their germplasm transiting the US 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) on the E-permits website or via email at LAIPermits@usda.gov

To submit an import permit electronically, please visit APHIS eFile.

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

Contact Us

Live Animal Import/Export and Permitting
USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services
4700 River Road Unit 39
Riverdale, MD 20737
Phone: 301.851.3300 Option 2


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