Requirements for the Importation of Bees Other Than Honey Bees from Canada

Last Modified: February 21, 2024
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  • Only Bombus impatiens, Bombus occidentalis, Megachile rotunda (alfalfa leafcutter bee), Osmia lignaria (blue orchard bee), and Osmia cornifrons (hornfaced bees) are allowed to be imported.
  • The exporter must obtain an export certificate, from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), verifying that the bees are of Canadian origin (no more than 10 days prior to shipment).
  • APHIS headquarters must be notified of the shipment 10 business days prior to shipping. The notification must include the full name, address, and telephone number of the consignee, consignor, and full details of the arrival into the United States. If the shipment is arriving by airline, the full flight details must be included. If the bees are trucked across a land border, the port must be staffed by a Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Inspection officer. You must also provide full details of how many queens and/or packages of bees will be shipped. 

For questions about permits for regulated organisms and soil:

Pest Permits Team

Email: pest.permits@usda.gov

Phone: 301-851-2285

Alt-Phone: 866-524-5421