Permits (USDA/CDC)

Items Requiring Permits

Etiologic agents: It is impractical to list all of the several hundred species of etiologic agents. In general, an import permit is needed for any infectious agent known to cause disease in humans. This includes, but is not limited to, bacteria, viruses, rickettsia, parasites, yeasts, molds, and prions. In some instances, agents which are suspected of causing human disease also require a permit.

Biological Materials: Unsterilized specimens of human and animal tissue (including blood), body discharges, fluids, excretions or similar material, when known or suspected of being infected with disease transmissible to humans require a permit under these provisions in order to be imported.

Animals: Any animal known or suspected of being infected with any disease transmissible to humans. Importation of turtles of less than 4 inches in shell length and all non-human primates requires an importation permit issued by the Division of Quarantine.

Insects: Any living insect, or other living arthropod, known or suspected of being infected with any disease transmissible to humans. Also, if alive, any fleas, flies, lice, mites, mosquitoes, or ticks, even if uninfected. This includes eggs, larvae, pupae, and nymphs as well as adult forms. 

Snails: Any snails capable of transmitting schistosomiasis. No mollusks are to be admitted without a permit from either Centers for Disease Control or the Department of Agriculture. Any shipment of mollusks with a permit from either agency will be cleared immediately.