Laws and Regulations

Legal Authorities for Animal Importation

For information about the legal authorities governing animal importation, please see the Laws and Regulations page on the Quarantine and Isolation site.

Laws and Regulations Related to Animal Importation

African Rodents

Control of Communicable Diseases; Restrictions on African Rodents, Prairie Dogs, and Certain Other Animals (42 CFR 71.56)External
Federal Register notice

See also Bringing an African Rodent into the United States and The African Rodent Ban.

Birds and Bird Products

Notice of Rescission of February 4, 2004, Order and Subsequent Amendments Prohibiting the Importation of Birds and Bird Products from Specified Countries
Although the CDC restrictions have been rescinded, CDC continues to support the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its steps to prevent importation of birds and unprocessed bird products from countries with the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus in domestic poultry. The import restrictions do not apply to U.S.-origin pet birds, which will be allowed to return after 30 days at a USDA quarantine facility.

Civets

Notice of Embargo of Civets
May 3, 2005. On the CDC SARS site

See also Bringing a Civet into the United States.

Foreign Quarantine Regulations

Guidance Regarding “Rabies-Free” Countries and Importing a Dog into the United States
This page contains information clarifying that CDC now interprets “rabies-free” in the context of its dog importation regulations (42 CFR Parts 71.51) to mean “canine rabies virus variant-free.” Federal Register updated on January 31, 2019.

Foreign Quarantine Regulations, Suspension of Entry of Animals, Articles, or Things from Designated Foreign Countries and Places into the United States
This page contains information about the Suspension of Entry of Animals, Articles, or Things from Designated Foreign Countries and Places into the United States covered in 42 CFR 71.63.

Foreign Quarantine Regulations, Final Rule of HHS/CDC Nonhuman Primate Importation Regulation 42 Code of Federal Regulations Part 71.53.
This page contains the final rule for 42 CFR 71.53. The final rule is effective beginning April 16, 2013.

Foreign Quarantine Regulations, Final Rule to Establish a User Fee for Filovirus Testing of Nonhuman Primates.
This document contains the final rule for 42 CFR 71.53 that establishes a user fee for filovirus testing of nonhuman primates. The final rule became effective on March 14, 2013.

Foreign Quarantine Regulations, Advance Notice of Proposed Revision of HHS/CDC Animal Importation Regulations 42 CFR Parts 71.51
This document contains the advance notice for proposed rule making for 42 CFR71.51. Public comment period is now closed.

Discussions Regarding Exotic Animal Importation, Sale, and Distribution: Summary of Information Presented at Public Meeting on May 18, 2006External
Federal Register notice; updated August 8, 2006