US Agriculture Service
Travelers to the United States
Travelers to the United States may find many of their questions regarding shipping of pets, horses or other animals to the U. S., as well as USDA import requirements and prohibitions on food, beverages, and agricultural products.
IMPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR SHIPPING ANIMALS, FOOD AND PLANTS
Food and Plants
Bioterrorism Act - New rules for mailing food gifts
Please note that as of December 12, 2003, food gifts mailed to the United States are subject to the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (Bioterrorism Act). People mailing food gifts to the U.S. must notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) prior to mailing their food gift in a process called "prior-notice." Please see the following links for further information and instructions for completing "prior notice."
Prior Notice for Food Articles sent by International Mail
Step-by-Step Web System Instructions
Prior Notice of Imported Food
Questions and Answers
Prior Notice Fact Sheet
Customs FAQ
Bringing Agricultural Products into the United States
Importing Pets
• Importation of Pets and Other Animals Into the United States
• Pets/Animals
Importing Pet Birds
• Importing a Pet Bird
Import of U.S. Origin Pet Birds
• Importing procedure for returning U.S. origin pet birds
Importing Horses
• Importing a horse into the United States
Importing Horse Semen
• Import of Equine Semen into the United States
Hawaii Quarantine Information for Animals
• Animal Quarantine Station Rabies Information Brochure
GENERAL INFORMATION
Traveling to the United States
• Tips for travelers
Mailing Packages
• International Mail Imports
REFERRALS TO A SELECTION OF U.S. AUTHORITIES INVOLVED WITH AGRICULTURAL IMPORTS
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Imports of foods, animals and plants
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and export permits for endangered species
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Bioterrorism Act
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
U.S. import requirements for alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives
