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Bringing Pets and Wildlife into the United States

Importations of pets and/or wildlife may be subject to state/municipality veterinary health regulations, federal quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and/or prohibitions.  Pets taken out of the U.S. and returned, may be subject to similar requirements as those entering for the first time.  For some species occasionally considered as “pets,” reentry may be prohibited. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) works in coordination with partner government agencies (PGAs) such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), along with state, local, tribal, territorial, and international law enforcement agencies to safeguard and deter the introduction of foreign animal diseases, protect animal welfare, and preclude the spread of communicable diseases. 

Agency regulations are subject to change.  Visit CBP and PGA websites for the most current information available.  The information provided here is for general awareness purposes only. 

Last Modified: Aug 20, 2024

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