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

An import permit is required.

Information about the process required to import poultry into the United States of America (US) can be found on the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention​ websites.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service regulates the importation of birds. Poultry arriving at US ports of entry may need to be inspected by US Fish and Wildlife Inspectors.

Email

LAIE@USDA.GOV

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

Note

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

The USDA defines poultry to include chickens, doves, ducks, geese, grouse, guinea fowl, partridges, pea fowl, pheasants, pigeons, quail, swans, and turkeys. Pigeons and doves (columbiform species) are allowed to import as commercial birds, theatrical birds, or pet birds. Which import category to apply under depends on how the birds are to be used and how many birds are in the shipment.

As importing country requirements may change without advice to the Department you should check the import permit and/or the country website carefully at the time of preparation for export. Refer to the USDA information for importing live poultry into the United States.​

The following conditions are provided as a guide only. Certifying officers must review the import permit(s), any conditions provided by the exporter and the country website to ensure that the issued document(s) are consistent with the permit(s).

Health certificate

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

• No flocks of origin for the hatching eggs/DOC were vaccinated against any H5 or H7 subtype of avian influenza.
  *If vaccinated, include name of vaccination, manufacturer, batch number and date of administration.
• The flock(s) of origin for the hatching eggs 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.
  *Include name of vaccination, manufacturer, batch number and date of administration
  OR
  The flock(s) of origin for the hatching eggs have not been vaccinated against Newcastle disease.
  [Delete inapplicable option]
• The flock(s) of origin was/were inspected on the premises of origin prior to movement of the shipment and;
  • Not exposed to notifiable avian influenza or Newcastle disease (avian paramyxvirus-1)
  • Found to be clinically free of signs of communicable diseases of poultry within 30 days prior to the hatching of the first egg laid for this shipment
  • Not located in an area which has been subject to any movement restrictions imposed for animal health reasons
  • Not in any area under quarantine during the 90 days preceding exportation.
• Flock of origin: [flock of origin full address to be listed here]
• Hatching eggs were exported from an area that was not adjacent to any areas under quarantine during the 90 days preceding exportation.
• The shipment will not transit through any regions identified by APHIS where highly pathogenic avian influenza exists, as listed on the USDA APHIS website
• The flock(s) of origin has/have been tested negative for Avian Metapneumovirus (also known as Turkey Rhinotracheitis (TRT), Avian Rhinotracheitis, or Swollen Head) using 30 birds per house by RT-PCR, ELISA, or serology [delete inapplicable options]. The birds from the flock of origin(s) have not been vaccinated against this disease.
• The flock(s) of origin has/have been tested negative for egg drop ​syndrome (EDS 76 or adenovirus 127) using at least 5 percent or a minimum of 150 birds within the previous 90 days.
• The flock(s) of origin has/have tested negative for Salmonella enteritidis (SE) within the previous 30 days and there is no evidence or knowledge of SE present in the flock(s).
• All hatching eggs for export to the United States have been cleaned and sanitized as soon as possible after collection using an approved-for-use-sanitizing agent in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions.
• The hatching eggs have been packed in new or appropriately sanitized packing materials at the premises from which the hatching eggs were to be exported.

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

Exporters are advised to check the USDA Veterinary Service website or updated Import Notices and advice on entry requirements for avian importation.

The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) may impose temporary trade restrictions as disease outbreaks occur. Refer to the USDA List of APHIS-recognised animal health statuses of regions regarding specific animal diseases or pests for more information.

Transport requirements

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

Pre and post arrival quarantine requirements

Poultry (not including hatching eggs of any kind) must be quarantined at one of the USDA facilities listed below or private quarantine may occur in an APHIS approved zoological facility.

Note

An import permit will not be issued until quarantine arrangements have been finalised.

Based on ​a permit issued in September 2022 and importing country website and information.

Entry last reviewed ​12 October 2022.