Transporting Laboratory Animals, Plants, and Specimens

If you are importing such material back to the U.S., you will need to check with all the appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies before booking your flights to the U.S. Regulations for exporting depend upon the individual country; you will need to contact your destination country for information.

Note: Detroit is not an authorized port of entry for all plants and animals. While it is convenient to fly directly to Detroit, your material cannot always come in through Detroit and will have to be shipped at your expense to the facility authorized on your permit.

Following are general guidelines. Contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture for further information. For forms, information, and permit applications, see their Web site at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/.

Birds, Wildlife, Specimens. If you will be taking with you or bringing back any exotic birds or tissues, or any animal that is not domestic, you will need a permit. Contact the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services at 734-941-6801 at least two weeks before you leave. Some exotic birds may require quarantine upon importation as well as a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services; call 1-800-358-2104.

Live Animals. Laboratory animals being imported into the U.S. require veterinary certification that they have not been exposed to or inoculated with any infectious diseases. Dogs and cats can enter the U.S. with a valid rabies certificate; most airlines will require a health certificate. (Call the airlines prior to departure.) All birds and other animals being exported or imported to the U.S. must be examined by a U.S. Veterinarian and must have a signed health certificate. To schedule an inspection before you leave, or for further information, call the USDA/APHIS Veterinary Services Office at 517-324-5290. Some exotic birds may require quarantine upon importation as well as a permit from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services; call 1-800-358-2104.

Trophies (Hides, Wildlife Parts). Such material coming into the U.S. must be presented to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA/APHIS).

Cell Lines, Cultures, Tissue Samples for Research. These may require a letter of verification in order to enter the U.S. Contact the USDA/APHIS National Center for Import and Export at 301-734-8364 for live animals and 301-734-3277 for animal products before attempting to bring them into the U.S.

Plants. All plants-imported or exported-need to be declared and inspected, and may require a permit. Most foreign countries and the U.S. require special permits for entry. For further information and a faxed application, call the Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection and Quarantine at 734-942-7024. Call at least two weeks before you depart (eight weeks if you are importing or exporting a large shipment). Not all plants can go through any airport.