Non-U.S. Origin Pet Birds Entering the U.S. From A Country Other Than Canada or Mexico

All pet birds which did not previously live in the U.S. must go to federal quarantine for at least 30 days upon entry in the U.S.  Pet birds may only enter the U.S. at certain designated ports.

If your pet bird will be going into a home quarantine:
Your pet bird must fly into the U.S. at a designated port of entry.  The flight should fly directly to the eligible port of entry, without stopping at other U.S. airports.  VS veterinarians are not available at all airport locations.

Your bird must travel directly to one of these ports of entry without first stopping at any other U.S. port.  Contact VS personnel at the Animal Import Center to make a reservation for your pet bird and to discuss arrangements to transport your pet bird to quarantine upon arrival into the U.S. (view additional information on federal quarantine including Animal Import Center contact details).
 

You will need to allow plenty of time at the designated port to complete all activities involved in getting your pet bird to federal quarantine. If the designated port is not your final destination and you need to make a connecting flight, please make sure you have a minimum of 4 hours between your flights. The time required may vary by port; you can contact VS personnel at the port to discuss logistics.

Please note:  FWS may have additional restrictions related to eligibility, please see STEP 2 below for contact information.

In the U.S., The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates birds protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Wild Bird Conservation Act of 1992 (WBCA).  There are extensive U.S. entry and exit requirements for birds regulated under these laws, so it is critical that you contact FWS to discuss their processes and fees if your bird is regulated by them. To determine if your pet bird is regulated by FWS, visit the FWS Traveling Abroad with Your Pet Bird website to learn more.

You may also contact them directly at 703-358-2104 or 800-358-2104.

All pet birds entering the U.S. at an airport or seaport must have a VS import permit. For all returning U.S. origin pet birds, you will submit the permit application to the VS National Import Export Services (NIES) Staff in Riverdale, Maryland.

You must apply for a VS import permit approximately 30 days prior to departure. You need to know your route of travel and specify a travel date before applying. The route of travel should include a flight that travels directly to a designated port of entry within the U.S. without stopping at other U.S. airports.  If you cannot obtain a direct flight to a designated port of entry, you will need to discuss this with the NIES Riverdale Staff.  You also need to provide a copy of your U.S. health certificate issued before your pet bird left the U.S. with your application. The import permit is valid for 30 days from your specified travel date. If your travel plans change and your pet bird will be arriving in the U.S. more than 30 days after the travel date specified on the import permit, you will have to apply for an amended permit or a new permit. Permits can only be amended (for an additional fee) before they expire. Once your permit expires, you will need to submit a new import permit application.

Fees for VS import permits::
9CFR 130.4 “initial permit” – this fee is charged per application so if you have more than one pet bird but they are all traveling with you at the same time, then all of the birds should all be listed on the application and one permit can cover them all.

9CFR 130.4  “amended permit” – this fee is charged ONLY if you need to amend a permit that has already been issued (for example if your travel route or port of entry changes).

Applying for an import permit is done by completing and submitting an Application for Import or Intransit Permit, called the VS Form 17-129. The VS Form 17-129 can be completed and submitted via e-mail, standard mail, or fax OR completed and submitted electronically on-line via the ePermits system. Please allow 7-10 business days from the time your import permit application is received for it to be issued.

Where you submit your pet bird’s import permit application is dependent on whether or not your bird is traveling to the U.S. from a country affected with HPAI as well as the route of travel. View a list of countries currently affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

If your pet bird is traveling to the U.S. from a country/region that the U.S. considers to have HPAI or there are no direct flights to one of the three designated ports of entry, you must submit your import permit application to NIES Riverdale Staff.

• Manual submission of the VS Form 17-129 to NIES Riverdale Staff via e-mail, standard mail, or fax
  • Complete the fillable VS 17-129 (73.07 KB) (General Instructions (113.93 KB))
     
  • Submit via one of the following methods:
    • E-mail: VS.Live.Animals.Import.Permits@usda.gov
    • Fax: 301-734-4704
    • Mail:
      USDA-APHIS-VS-NIES
      4700 River Road, Unit 40
      Riverdale, MD 20737
• Electronic submission of the VS Form 17-129 via the eFile System
  • Online Instructions for the VS 17-129 form in APHIS eFile (1.52 MB) 

If your pet bird is traveling to the U.S. from a country/region that the U.S. does not consider to have HPAI, you must submit your import permit application to the Animal Import Center (AIC) associated with the port at which your pet bird will be arriving.  The bird must be booked on a flight that travels directly to the designated port of entry.  The flight cannot stop at multiple ports in the U.S. prior to the designated port of entry.

• Manual submission of the VS Form 17-129 to the AIC via e-mail or fax
  • Complete the fillable VS 17-129 (73.07 KB) (General Instructions) (556.61 KB)
  • Submit to one of the following import centers via one of the following methods: 

Port of Entry: JFK 
New York Animal Import Center (NYAIC)

• E-mail
• Fax: (845) 838 – 5516
• Mail: 
  USDA Veterinary Services 
  474 International Blvd 
  Rock Tavern, NY 12575

Port of Entry: MIA
Miami Animal Import Center (MAIC)

• E-mail
• Fax: (305) 876 – 2201
• Mail: 
  USDA-APHIS-VS 
  PO BOX 660657 
  Miami Springs, FL 33266
• Electronic submission of the VS Form 17-129 via the eFile System
  • Online Instructions for the VS 17-129 form in APHIS eFile (1.52 MB)

Permits can be emailed or mailed to the importer via U.S. Postal Service. You should indicate how you would like to receive your permit when you submit the permit application. If you have not received your permit at least 72 hours ahead of scheduled travel, call the office where you submitted the application and ask about the status. Note: If receiving the permit by email, use a color printer to print your document, as you must have one with a blue signature.

All pet birds arriving from countries that the U.S. considers to be affected with HPAI must undergo a pre-export isolation in that country for at least 21 days prior to traveling to the United States.

The pre-export isolation must:

• Occur for a minimum of 21 days immediately preceding the date of travel to the U.S.
• Be supervised by either an official government veterinarian, or by a veterinarian who has been authorized by the foreign government to supervise the isolation and issue the export health certificate.
  • NOTE: This isolation can be accomplished in the home so long as it is under the approval of the veterinarian who will issue the health certificate. There can be no other birds in the home, unless those birds are also being shipped, and are listed on the U.S. import permit.
• Once pre-export isolation has been completed, the pet bird must be transferred directly from the isolation location to the port of embarkation (ex: airport) in a carrier that has been sealed by either the government veterinarian or, if permitted by the foreign government, an authorized veterinarian.
  • The seals must have identifying marks or numbers which are then recorded on the health certificate that is issued or endorsed by the foreign government.
  • The seals must have a locking mechanism to ensure the cage has not been opened during transit to the United States.
  • Any signs of seal tampering or damage could result in refusal entry of your pet bird into the United States.

All pet birds entering the U.S. from any country are required to have a health certificate issued within 30 days of travel by a veterinarian in the country your bird is leaving. The health certificate must be stamped by an official government veterinarian of the country.

Either the model health certificate provided HERE (203.76 KB), or a health certificate issued by the country of export (with English translation) that meets the U.S. guidelines maybe used.

If your pet bird is traveling to U.S. from a country/region that the U.S. considers to have HPAI:

Either the model health certificate provided HERE (297.7 KB), or a health certificate issued by the country of export (with English translation) that meets the U.S. guidelines maybe used.

Additionally, you should carefully review your VS import permit to make sure there are no other requirements or certification statements listed. If you see requirements on your import permit that are different from what is listed above, please check with the office that issued your permit to be sure you understand all the requirements.

Note: It is important to check with the veterinary authorities of the country you are leaving to make sure they don’t have additional export requirements (some countries require testing for birds to leave the country, even though it isn’t required by the U.S. when entering). The veterinarian issuing the health certificate should be your contact for any local government requirements.

You will need to discuss with your airline carrier any specific requirements they have related to your pet bird travel.

Airlines may have different requirements for when the health certificate must be issued. They may also require that the pet birds travel as cargo, which can impact where your inspection occurs on arrival. The airline can also provide information on their requirements for carriers/cages, feed/water, and documentation.

You must contact the VS port veterinarian at least 72 hours prior to arrival to schedule an inspection on arrival.

Your VS import permit will list contact information for the first port of arrival. You should call or email the port as soon as possible to make arrangements for when you arrive. The port veterinarian can provide you more information about the specific process at that airport and what you should expect on arrival. Make sure to tell the veterinarian whether your bird is traveling in the cabin with you, as accompanied baggage, or as unaccompanied cargo, since that will alter where the port personnel will meet you. The port personnel will review your import permit and discuss any additional requirements that might be listed, and can discuss fees and payment options.

Based on your earlier contact with FWS (STEP 2), you should know whether your pet bird is subject to any additional FWS requirements. You will need to coordinate with port FWS personnel to arrange for any inspection or document review that might be needed. Visit the FWS Traveling Abroad with Your Pet Bird website to learn more.

You may also contact them directly at 703-358-2104 or 800-358-2104.

Make sure to send all the required documentation with your pet bird.

You will need to have the following items:

• The original health certificate issued in the country your bird is leaving
• The original VS import permit
• Original CITES documents (if your pet bird is regulated by FWS)
  • Contact FWS with any questions about CITES documents.

All documentation should accompany the pet bird during travel.

You will need to clear your pet bird with CBP when you arrive in the U.S. 

The CBP OneTM mobile application is available at select U.S. ports of entry to expedite your pet bird’s CBP agriculture inspection. You may request an inspection, upload required documentation, and view the status and details of your inspection prior to arrival.

If your bird is flying with you and is not manifested as cargo (i.e. you do not have an airway bill), you will need to declare your bird to CBP when you clear customs. Typically you will then be directed to a secondary CBP agriculture inspection, which is most likely where the VS port veterinarian (and FWS inspector if required) will examine your bird and all of the paperwork.

If your bird is flying as cargo, you will have to talk to the airline cargo company to find out where your bird will be transported to after landing, where to obtain your documentation, and what the procedures are for clearing your bird through customs. If you are on the same flight, you may have to travel to the cargo facility warehouse to meet the port veterinarian (and FWS inspector if required) after you clear customs and passport control. You may need to take your bird’s paperwork to another location to clear your bird through customs. If you have already arrived in the U.S. on an earlier flight, you will need to make arrangements for the time and place of inspection.

For all non-U.S. origin pet birds, when you arrive in the United States, VS port personnel will meet you to take your bird to federal quarantine facility at an Animal Import Center (AIC). All non-U.S. origin pet birds must complete a 30-day federal quarantine in an AIC.

You are required to provide a notice of arrival to VS port personnel at least 72 hours prior to arriving at the U.S. port.  Once your bird arrives, it must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection. If CBP port personnel examining your bird notice a health concern, or there is a problem with your paperwork, CBP will notify the VS port veterinarian who will discuss U.S. entry options with you at that time. Otherwise, once the bird clears U.S. customs entry, the VS port personnel will meet your bird at the port location discussed during your notice of arrival.  

VS port personnel will oversee the transport of your pet bird to the Animal Import Center (AIC) to start 30-day quarantine period. Transport arrangements vary by port of entry and should be discussed with the AIC staff prior to arrival in the United States.  Importers/bird owners cannot visit pets while the birds are in quarantine. 

Fees for federal quarantine:
9CFR 130.10 “User fees for pet birds (b)” – daily user fees vary depending on the number of birds are in the isolate (as determined by the APHIS personnel at the AIC). Fees include standard care, feed, and handling per day during the quarantine period.

Fees for testing: 
9CFR 130.15 “Virus isolation” – this fee is charged per “lot” and samples from up to 5 pet birds may be combined. This fee is charged twice – once for the initial cloacal swab test upon arrival at the AIC, and again for the second set of samples are collected during quarantine. These fees are charged directly by the National Veterinary Services Laboratory (NVSL) after the samples are received, therefore you must provide a separate form of payment that is sent directly to the NVSL (check, money order, credit card, or APHIS user fee account are acceptable).

Overtime charges:
9CFR 97.1 “Overtime work at laboratories, border ports, ocean ports, and airports” – see the first chart. If your flight arrives before or after normal port duty hours (these will vary from port to port but are typically 8:00AM-4:30PM), additional overtime fees will apply. These fees will vary depending on the port location and the specific time of service.  You will need to contact the specific port of arrival to get a cost estimate. 

Compliance assistance charges:
9CFR 130.4 “Import compliance assistance – simple or complicated” – this fee may be charged once per lot. You may be required to pay an import compliance assistance fee if there are any discrepancies in your paperwork. 

Note: Non-compliance could result in refusal entry of your pet bird into the United States. 

Once your bird arrives at the AIC, VS personnel will collect cloacal samples to test for avian influenza and Newcastle disease.  You will be responsible for paying the laboratory testing fee.

Home Quarantine:
Someone from VS will contact you after the start of home quarantine (based on the contact information provided on the form VS 17-8 that you signed when you arrived with your bird). They will make arrangements to travel to your home to inspect your bird and collect a second set of samples for testing. You will be responsible for paying the laboratory testing fee, but no other fees will be due as they were included in the initial fee paid on entry.

Federal Quarantine:
VS personnel at the federal quarantine facility will collect samples from your bird. You will be responsible for paying the laboratory testing fee.

All pet birds are eligible for release from quarantine 30 days after arrival, assuming the birds are healthy and results from testing are negative. You will need to make arrangements with the quarantine facility to pick up your bird after the 30 days are up. These arrangements should be made prior to the end of the quarantine to avoid extra charges. Your bird is not officially released from quarantine until you are notified by VS.

Once your bird has been in quarantine for 30 days, and has had two sets of negative test results, it can be released from quarantine. You will need to make arrangements with the quarantine facility to pick up your bird after the 30 days are up. These arrangements should be made prior to the end of the quarantine to avoid extra charges.