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Import of Live Sheep, Goats, and Germplasm

Last Modified: Nov 21, 2021
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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 Sheep and Goats

(Note: live sheep and goats may only be imported from the following listed countries)

Canada

  • Protocol US-origin sheep and goat movements through Canada from one US location to a second US location
  • Import of Direct to Slaughter Sheep and Goats to the United States; no permit is required; the port of entry into the 
    United States must be notified at least three days in advance (link to port information).
  • Protocol for the Import of Feeder Sheep and Goats to the United States (document is currently being updated); no permit is required.
    • NOTE: There are currently no approved feedlots for imported Canadian sheep and goats currently available in the U.S. 

Australia; a permit and export health certificate are required.

New Zealand; a permit and export health certificate are required.

Sheep and Goat Semen

(Note: sheep and goat semen may only be imported from the following listed countries)

Miscellaneous

Australia (Import protocol being updated); a permit and export health certificate are required.

Canada; a permit and export health certificate are required.

  1. Importers or their designated agents must provide documentation of the destination facility premise registration premises ID assigned and recorded in the Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) with the permit application.
  2. A verification certificate required to import sheep or goat semen from Canada. This must be submitted with the import permit application.
  3. There are also post-import requirements for each facility using this commodity.

European Union; a permit and export health certificate are required.

  1. Importers or their designated agents must provide documentation of the destination facility premise registration premises ID assigned and recorded in the Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) with the permit application.
  2. There are also post-import requirements for each facility using this commodity.

Iceland; a permit and export health certificate are required.

  1. Importers or their designated agents must provide documentation of the destination facility premise registration premises ID assigned and recorded in the Surveillance Collaborative System/ Scrapie (SCS SCR) with the permit application.
  2. There are also post-import requirements for each facility using this commodity.

The Netherlands

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

Sheep and Goat Embryos

(Note: sheep and goat embryos may only be imported from the following listed countries)

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

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

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 VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.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 VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@aphis.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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