VS Guidance and Other Documents Related to Importing Equines

Import Notifications

Veterinary Services Guidance Documents

• Equine Testing Info Sheet (152.24 KB) 
• Requirements for Horses Imported Under CEM Waiver for a Special Event
• Requirements for Piroplasmosis Positive Horses to Import for a Special Event (236.95 KB)
• Standard Operating Procedure: Deceased Horses at U.S. Ports of Entry (204.6 KB)
• Veterinary Services Policy for the Quarantine and Testing of Horses Imported into the United States for Special Events (152.24 KB) (VS 591.59)
• Treatment of Animals for Ticks with Coumaphos (Co-Ral) (122.62 KB) (VS Guidance 7003.1)
• Approval of Permanent Privately Owned Horse Quarantine Facilities in the United States (314.4 KB) (VS Guidance 13402.1)
• Importation of Horses From Mexico Using APHIS-Approved Quarantine Facilities at Land Border Ports (326.76 KB) (VS Guidance 13405.3)
• CEM Testing of Imported Horses at Approved Quarantine Facilities (358.73 KB) (VS Guidance 13406.3)
• Testing of Equids During Import Quarantine (703.85 KB) (VS Guidance 13407.3)
• Procedures for the Import of Equines into the United States and Approved Quarantine Facilities (265.07 KB) (VS Guidance 13424.1)
• Procedures for Submitting Equine Serum Samples to the United States (147.19 KB) (VS Guidance 14001.2)
• Approval of Labs To Conduct CEM Tests (224.8 KB) (VS Guidance 15202.2)

Veterinary Services Memoranda

• Review Procedures for Animal Import Center Activities Including Veterinary Services Operations at Associated Air and Ocean Ports and Privately Owned Animal Quarantine Facilities (967.64 KB) (VS Memo 515.2)
• Tick Surveillance, Collection, and Submission of Suspected Exotic Ticks (148.97 KB) (VS Memo 556.13)

Compliance Agreements

• For the Approval of a Temporary Privately Owned Equine Import Quarantine Facility (69.94 KB)

Equine Supplemental Information

APHIS is transitioning to a new model health certificate for qualifying horses from April 13 through June 14, 2026, and there will be a change in supplemental health certificate requirements at ports of entry. During the transition:

1. Equines that arrive with a health certificate that reflects the provisions of the new model health certificate do not need to be accompanied by the supplemental health documents listed below because instead, the Competent Authority will collect and maintain this documentation for verification of health attestations. The following is an updated example supplemental for reference that may be used for such verification activities: 
   
   Example Supplemental Health Certificate for Qualifying Equines that Reside in Multiple Countries Preceding Export to the United States (200.44 KB)
    
2. Equines that arrive with currently approved health certificates must be accompanied by the following pertinent supplemental documents:

• Supplemental Health Certificate for the Temporary Importation of Foreign-Origin Horses to the United States Under CEM Waiver (9 CFR 93.301(f) (176.62 KB)
• Supplemental Health Certificate for U.S.-Origin Horses that Temporarily Reside in Multiple Countries of Different CEM, Screwworm, VEE, and FMD Disease Status for no more than 90 Days Preceding Return to the United States (9 CFR 93.301(g) (183.05 KB)
• Veterinary Export Health Certificate Addendum: Screwworm, VEE, and FMD Declaration (126.73 KB)
• Model Supplemental certification for intact horses from countries APHIS recognizes as CEM free that transit countries APHIS recognizes as CEM affected by air (666.12 KB)
• Model supplemental certification for intact horses from countries APHIS recognizes as CEM free that transit countries APHIS recognizes as CEM affected by land (738.72 KB)
• Equine Import requirements for horses residing in multiple European Union (EU) member states during the 60 days preceding export to the United States (222.31 KB)
• Import requirements for U.S. returning horses from APHIS recognizes CEM-affected countries (195.1 KB)

Beginning June 15, 2026, APHIS will only accept health certificates that reflect the provisions of the new model health certificate for qualifying equines, and therefore supplemental health documents will not need to be presented at ports of entry. Please note that the new model health certificate does not apply to Spanish Purebred Horses from Spain and Racing Thoroughbred horses from Germany, France, Ireland (Republic of), Great Britain, and Northern Ireland seeking import under 9 CFR 93.301(d), and therefore, the following supplementals remain in effect until further notice:

• Supplemental health certificate for racing Thoroughbreds from France, Germany, Ireland (Republic of), Great Britain (England, Scotland, Wales), and Northern Ireland temporarily competing in APHIS recognized CEM-free countries (152.8 KB)
• Model supplemental certification for intact Spanish Purebred horses importing under 9 CFR 93.301 (d) that transit countries APHIS recognizes as CEM affected by land (738.72 KB)