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Import of Live Water Buffalo and Yak

• Water Buffalo or Yak intended for breeding, feeding or immediate slaughter are not permitted into the United States at this time, EXCEPT for the following:
  • Yak intended for immediate slaughter can be imported into the US from Canada
  • Live water buffalo may be imported from Australia
    • Protocol Breeding Cattle-Water Buffalo from Australia
      
  • Water Buffalo and Yak used for zoological purposes can be permitted into the US on a case by case basis after a full review by USDA APHIS depending on the country of origin. Please contact Live Animal Imports for more information.
• Water buffalo and Yak germplasm may be imported from the EU
  • 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.
  • Model Health Certificate Bovid Embryo Import from the European Union  December 2019
    • NOTE: This health certificate also allows the import of water buffalo embryos from the EU.

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