Importing Swine and Germplasm into the United States

Last Modified: March 22, 2024
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There are many processes involved with importing different species of regulated live animals into the United States. This page explains the requirements for importing live swine and swine semen. 

View Countries From Which Swine and Their Germplasm May Be Imported

Requirements

Canadian Border Ports 

The following land border ports are designated as having the necessary inspection facilities for the entry of swine from Canada: 

  • Eastport, Idaho
  • Houlton and Jackman, Maine
  • Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
  • Baudette, Minnesota
  • Opheim, Raymond, and Sweetgrass, Montana
  • Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, and Champlain, New York
  • Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, North Dakota
  • Derby Line and Highgate Springs, Vermont
  • Oroville and Sumas, Washington

Mexican Border Ports 

The following land border ports are designated as having the necessary inspection facilities for the entry of swine from Mexico: 

  • Brownsville, Hidalgo, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and El Paso, Texas
  • Douglas, Naco, Nogales, Sasabe, and San Luis, Arizona
  • Calexico and San Ysidro, California
  • Antelope Wells, and Columbus, New Mexico

Air and Ocean Ports

The following ports have APHIS inspection and quarantine facilities necessary for quarantine stations and all swine shall be entered into the United States through these stations: 

  • Los Angeles, California
  • Miami, Florida
  • Newburgh, New York

These species may only be imported from the following listed countries.

Canada

European Union: A permit and export health certificate are required.

United Kingdom: The same conditions as designated in the Protocol for Breeding Swine Import from European Union Member States are used for this type of import. A permit and export health certificate are required.

  • Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales): Health certificate 1196EHC_V5_GB.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
  • Northern Ireland: Health Certificate 1196EHC_V5_NI.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Canada

  • No permit is required if the semen tanks are transported by land; an export health certificate is required to import swine semen from Canada.

European Union: A permit and export health certificate are required.

Norway: A permit and export health certificate are required.

United Kingdom: A permit and export health certificate are required.

  • Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales): Health Certificate 1319EHC_V1_GB.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)
  • Northern Ireland: Health Certificate 1319EHC_V1_NI.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

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. Notice Regarding APHIS Live Animal Import and Third-Country Import Transit Permits (272.29 KB).
  • Please note that any animals and their germplasm transiting the United States 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) to laipermits@usda.gov. To submit an import permit electronically, 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 Imports

For questions about import permits or permit applications:

Live Animal Import Permit Team

Email: laipermits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-3300

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