International Regulations (IRegs) for Animal Product Exports

Last Modified: May 26, 2025

APHIS Veterinary Services (VS) created the International Animal Product Export Regulations (IRegs) to provide exporters with our best understanding of importing countries' requirements for certain animal-origin products.

Countries may change their import requirements without notice. In all cases, the exporter is responsible for having their importer confirm with the Ministry of Animal Health in the importing country the certification requirements prior to shipping. The exporter should obtain any required certificates prior to shipping. Most countries will not accept certificates issued after consignments have shipped. The availability of APHIS endorsement of certificates should not be assumed until after consultation with the pertinent VS Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services (aka VS Service Centers).  

Exporters are responsible for confirming prior to shipment that they have all certification required for the consignment.

The primary role of APHIS VS in the certification of animal products for export is to provide certification about the animal health status of the region of origin of the product. If other certifications are required, APHIS, VS may not be the Agency authorized to provide the required export certificate.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements for exporting animals, animal products, or to obtain a zoosanitary certificate for an animal product, you should contact the VS Field Operations Veterinary Export Trade Services (aka VS Service Centers) covering the area from which the product will be exported, the area in which your office is located, or the area in which the product is manufactured. If you have a shipment on hold in a foreign country, please contact the Veterinary Services service center that issued your certificate.

* If you have a shipment of animal products or by-products that has been exported from the United States and you intend to return the shipment to the United States, please use our VS Permitting Assistant.

IRegs for Animal Product Exports

For countries not listed, the requirements are not known. However, exporters wanting to ship animal products should have the interested party (importer/buyer) in the destination country contact the appropriate ministry for the specific requirements.