It is the exporter's responsibility to ensure that the animal meets the importing country requirements.

The requirements to import live animals into the State of Hawaii are subject to locally imposed quarantine requirements. Refer to the separate Micor entry for importing birds to Hawaii.

An import permit is required.

Information about the process required to import pet birds into the United States of America from Australia can be found on the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) website. This is important as the process for bringing your pet bird into the United States (US) involves multiple agencies and it is critical that you meet all requirements for each of them.

Refer to the USDA and the Department’s websites for current information about exporting animals (including any suspensions).

Email

VS.Live.Animal.Import.Export@aphis.usda.gov

Note

Where an importing country issues an import permit, the exporter must ensure the animal meets any requirements in the permit.

Health certification

The USDA defines a shipment of pet birds as five (5) or fewer birds brought into the US that are not intended for resale. If you are bringing six (6) or more pet birds into the US, you should contact the USDA about the requirements for importing commercial birds.

There are different requirements for the importation of poultry into the US. Refer to the separate Micor entry for importing poultry into the US.

Health certificate

Model Veterinary Health Certificate for the Import of Pet Birds into the United States from countries not affected with Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

Section A. Completed by the Issuing or Authorized Veterinarian

After February 19, 2018, the United States origin pet bird weighing over 100 grams must be identified by any of the following forms of Identification (microchip¹, leg band, or tattoo) to be eligible for home quarantine upon return.

Shipments of birds which are 5 or less are considered as "pet bird shipments". Shipments of birds with 6 or more are considered commercial shipments and must use a different health certificate.

¹ Importers with birds that are microchipped must provide APHIS a reader to read the chip upon U.S. arrival.

Section B. The issuing /official veterinarian certifies for export that all pet birds covered by this certificate have been inspected within 30 days of the issuance date of this document and attests to the following statements:

I, Dr ………………………………..……………, a duly authorised government veterinary officer, hereby certify that:

1. The bird(s) is/are exported in accordance with the laws of the exporting country.
2. There was no evidence of communicable diseases of poultry upon examination of the bird(s).
3. The bird(s) covered by this certificate does/do not originate from flocks nor had contact with any birds or poultry originating in a control zone established by state/provincial/federal animal health authorities due to outbreaks of Newcastle disease or Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the previous 90 days. (Use this statement if not exporting from the European countries listed in this document).
   

Note: Pet birds which export from the following European countries, omit statement 3 and use statement 7. European Union Poultry Trade Region, a region of the European Union consisting of the Member States of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.

4. The bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza.
5. CHOOSE EITHER OPTION (a) OR (b) BELOW: (strike out that which does not apply)
   
   
   1. a) The bird(s) was/were not vaccinated against Newcastle disease
      
      OR
      
      
   2. b) The bird(s) has/have been vaccinated against Newcastle disease (avian paramyxovirus) at least 21 days prior to export, using vaccines that do not contain any velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus.
      
      
6. The shipment will not transit through any region where APHIS considers highly pathogenic avian influenza to exist.
7. The consignment did not originate from, or travel through, any zones within the EU- poultry trade region that were restricted for outbreaks of Newcastle disease or HPAI in commercial poultry for the following period of time, whichever is later: 1) until the restrictions were lifted by the national competent authority; or 2) 90 days after depopulation of all affected premises, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the last affected premises, in that zone. [Note: only 1) applies if the restrictions were placed for Newcastle disease or HPAI in racing pigeons, backyard flocks or wild birds.
8. The birds were placed in new or appropriately sanitized packing materials at the premise from which the export process began.

Certificate shall be valid for 30 days from date of issue

If the issuing veterinarian is the same as the official veterinarian, only 1 signature and stamp is required.

Permission to move animals out of Australia

You may need permission under wildlife trade laws to move certain animals out of Australia. Refer to the Department's International wildlife trade requirements. There is specific guidance for non-commercial wildlife trade for public exhibition, scientific research, conservation breeding and personal use.

Email

wps@awe.gov.au

Transport requirements

The importing country may have specific transport requirements and you should check this.

Pre- and post-arrival quarantine requirements

The importing country may have specific pre- and post-arrival quarantine or isolation requirements and you should check this.

Based on agreed health certificate and importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 12 March 2021.