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

An import permit, health certificate and owner declaration are required.

Contact the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Forests and Fisheries (MAFFF)​ for information about the process required to import animals into the Kingdom of Tonga from Australia.

Address

Department of Agriculture
PO Box 14
Nuku'alofa
KINGDOM OF TONGA

Email

info@mafff.gov.to

Note

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

The following conditions were provided in a permit issued by the authorities of the Kingdom of Tonga in April 2018.​

1. ​The day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate from breeding establishments and hatcheries that are audited and approved by the Australian Department of Agriculture.
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation confirming successful audit and approval of breeding establishment and hatchery by Department of Agriculture within 12 months prior to export.


2. The Australian State or Territory from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs for export to Tonga originate is free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (fowl plague).
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation from the State or Territory Veterinary authority confirming the State/Territory from where the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originated is free from highly pathogenic avian influenza (fowl plague).


3. The Australian State or Territory from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate is free from Newcastle disease as defined by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation from the State or Territory Veterinary authority confirming the State/Territory from where the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originated is free from Newcastle disease as defined by the OIE Terrestrial Animal Health Code.


4. The breeding flocks from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate were vaccinated against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) using a registered vaccine as listed in the attached vaccination schedule.
   
   The Department issues certification based on a copy of the vaccination program of the breeding flocks from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate which includes the date of vaccination, the age of flock at vaccination, name of disease and name of vaccine.Vaccination for IBDV must be included in the schedule.


5. The day-old chickens have been vaccinated against Marek’s disease using a registered vaccine (delete if hatching eggs).
   
   The Department issues certification based on a declaration from the operator of the breeding flock establishment that the day-old chickens have been vaccinated against Marek’s disease using a registered vaccine.


6. There has been no evidence of fowl cholera (Pasteurella multocida), infectious bronchitis (IB) and infectious laryngo-tracheitis (ILT) in the breeding establishment from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate for the six (6) months prior to export.
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation from the State or Territory Veterinary Authority of no evidence of the relevant notifiable diseases in the breeding establishment for the six (6) months prior to export.
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation from the operator of the breeding flock establishment of no evidence of the relevant non-notifiable diseases in the breeding establishment for the six (6) months prior to export.


7. The breeding establishment from which the day-old chicks or hatching eggs for export to Tonga originate have shown no evidence of mycoplasmosis (M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae) for the six (6) months prior to export.
   
   The Department issues certification based on documentation from the State or Territory Veterinary Authority of no evidence of the relevant notifiable diseases in the breeding establishment for the six (6) months prior to export.
   
   Documentation from the operator of the breeding flock establishment of no evidence of the relevant non-notifiable diseases in the breeding establishment for the six (6) months prior to export.


8. Any vaccination of the breeding flocks from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate against ILT, IB and fowl cholera is listed in the attached schedule. The vaccination schedulecontains:
   1. date of vaccination
   2. the age of flock at vaccination
   3. name of disease
   4. name of vaccine
   
   
   ​ The Department issues certification based on a copy of the vaccination program of the breeding flocks from which the day-old chickens or hatching eggs originate which includes the date of vaccination, the age of flock at vaccination, name of disease and name of vaccine. Any vaccination for ILT, IB and fowl cholera must be included in the schedule.


9. The day-old chickens showed no sign of mycoplasmosis on the day of shipment (delete if hatching eggs)
   
   The Department issues certification based on a declaration from a registered veterinarian who inspected the day-old chickens on the day of shipment and found no sign of infectious and contagious disease, including mycoplasmosis (unless this inspection is performed by a Department of Agriculture Veterinary Officer).


10. The day-old chickens or hatching eggs were placed into new packaging for export to Tonga.
    
    The Department issues certification based on a declaration from the exporter confirming the day-old chickens or hatching eggs were packed in new packaging for export.​

Permission to move birds out of Australia

You may need permission under wildlife trade laws to move birds 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

wildlifetrade@dcceew.gov.au​

General conditions of permit to import live animals:

Document requirements

d) All importations of animals are to be accompanied by

1. The import permit issued for the importation.


2. A declaration signed by the owner or exporter of the animals providing such information and guarantees as may require regarding the identification, history and origin of the animals.


3. An international animal health certificate signed and stamped by an official veterinary officer of the exporting country certifying the state of good health of the animals and giving particulars, where applicable of the biological tests to which the animal have been subjected, the vaccination carried out on the animals which are the subject of the certificate and any measures taken to prevent the spread of disease.

Transport requirements

e) Unless special provision has been made on the import permit, animals must be transported directly to Tonga without transhipment, offloading or contact with animals not subject to the same import permit or animals not of equivalent certified health status from the port of departure to the port of arrival in Tonga.

Based on a permit issued in April 2018 and importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed 2 September 2021.​