Bring Five or Fewer Pet Birds into the United States

• Importers should apply for an import permit online using APHIS eFile. This will help expedite the entire permitting process and enable users to track the status of their permits, confirm receipt, and easily renew or amend existing permits. For more information on import permit application, see Animal Health Permits. 
• Importers must submit the import permit application at least 7 business days prior to shipping the birds. You need to know your route of travel and specify a travel date before applying.
• The original import permit is valid for 30 days and must accompany all pet bird shipments.

• Pet birds imported from any region of the world must be accompanied by a health certificate in English or with English translation that is:
  • Issued by a salaried veterinarian of the national government of the exporting region, or
  • Issued by a certifying official and
  • Endorsed by the competent authority of that country.
• Any allowable or required deviations of endorsement must be specified on the import permit.
• Exporting countries may use the model health certificates available below or use their own document as long as it contains U.S. import health certificate requirements.
• Model health certificates:
  • Pet birds from HPAI-affected country or zone: 
    • Avian-Pet Birds-HPAI-Affected Countries-Model Health Certificate (326.4 KB) (August 2024)
  • Pet birds from HPAI-free country or zone:
    • Avian-Pet Birds-HPAI-Free Countries-Model Health Certificate (474.17 KB) (August 2024)
  • United Kingdom: 
    • 4948EHC_V7.pdf (publishing.service.gov.uk)

• Pet bird shipments must enter the United States through designated or limited ports where a USDA port veterinarian is available for inspection. If pet birds attempt to enter the United States at another port, they will be refused entry by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel. 
• A USDA port veterinarian must inspect the pet bird(s) at the U.S. port of entry, unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. import permit.
• The importer must arrange for inspection at least 3 business days in advance by contacting the USDA port veterinarian listed on the import permit, including pet bird importers entering the United States at a land border port.
• The USDA port veterinarian will visually inspect the shipment, export health certificate, and U.S. import permit. View user fee rates for inspection services.

• All pet birds require a 30-day quarantine with mandatory testing for HPAI and Newcastle disease, except for pet birds imported from Canada. 
• Quarantine must occur at a U.S. Federal quarantine facility, except for U.S.-origin pet birds returning from an HPAI-free country that are eligible for home quarantine.
  • USDA port personnel who conducted the initial inspection at the U.S. port of entry, along with the importer, will take the bird from the port of entry to the Animal Import Center. USDA port personnel will explain in detail the quarantine and testing procedures.
• Importers should make reservations directly with the USDA Animal Import Center of choice before the shipment arrives. USDA must confirm the reservation before issuing the import permit.
• Fees include, but are not limited to, port inspection, laboratory testing that occurs during quarantine, and the quarantine stay. View user fee rates for inspection services. The Animal Import Center will provide an estimate of the total quarantine costs.

Home Quarantine

U.S.-origin pet birds returning from an HPAI-free country may qualify for home quarantine: 

• The import permit will list the home quarantine location. Approval for home quarantine is approved when the permit is issued, as long as the bird arrives with compliant import documentation. The quarantine cycle begins when the pet bird leaves the port of entry for home and continues for at least 30 days.
• The pet bird(s) will be tested twice during quarantine for HPAI and Newcastle disease. Both sets of samples must have negative results before the bird(s) will be released from home quarantine.
• USDA port personnel will conduct an initial inspection at the port of entry and take the first set of samples. The importer must sign an Agreement of Pet Bird Owner (VS Form 17-8) (128.93 KB) after the initial inspection and sample collection. 
• A USDA veterinarian will visit your home to collect the second set of samples from your bird(s) for testing. You should be prepared to restrain your bird for the inspection and sample collection. 
• Fees for the home quarantine, home inspection and testing, and port of entry inspection are paid at the time of permit application. If importers arrive at the U.S. port of entry outside regular business hours, an additional fee at the time of arrival will be charged.