Bringing Animal Products into the U.S.

Trophies of nonhuman primates and other animals under import restriction

Some animal trophies fall under CDC import restriction because they pose a risk for infecting humans. The animals CDC regulates or otherwise restricts include nonhuman primates, African rodents, bats, civets, and small turtles. Trophies made from these animals require a CDC permit unless the importer presents proof that the items have been rendered noninfectious. Acceptable proof that items have been rendered noninfectious include a taxidermy certificate with official government stamp OR certification statement from a government agency, research institute, or licensed veterinarian describing the method used for rendering the item noninfectious. Persons who plan to import unprocessed trophy materials from nonhuman primates or other CDC-restricted animals should review the permit requirements and complete an application form with CDC's Import Permit Program (IPP).

Trophy materials from animals other than those listed above are not restricted by CDC unless they are known or suspected to be capable of transmitting human disease.

Both the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and international treaty (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES) ban the importation of trophies from endangered species (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species Program). The National Marine Fisheries Service website provides additional information on endangered marine species.

Bushmeat

Bushmeat is raw or processed meat derived from wild animals, such as cane rats, nonhuman primates, and bats. Many U.S. federal agencies have restrictions on the importation of bushmeat. Most bushmeat is illegal to ship, mail, or carry into the United States. Upon reaching U.S. borders, bushmeat will be confiscated and destroyed. Persons who carry or import bushmeat may be fined.

Although some countries and ethnic groups consider snails to be bushmeat, smoked snails are allowed if they are declared.

Animal species restricted by CDC include certain turtles, nonhuman primates, bats, civets, binturongs, genets, and African rodents. For more information about the animals and animal products that CDC regulates and restricts, see

• Bringing an Animal into the United States
• Legal Authorities for Control of Communicable Diseases

Bushmeat has been linked to Ebola. Learn more:

• Bushmeat
• Ebola

Other products from restricted animals

As with animal trophy materials, animal products from restricted animals used for other purposes must be properly processed to render them noninfectious. Civet oil imported for use in the perfume industry is one of these products.

Certain products which are associated with infectious diseases and are more difficult to render noninfectious, such as goatskin drums from Haiti which have been associated with anthrax, may not be imported.

Animal species restricted by CDC include certain turtles, nonhuman primates, bats, civets, binturongs, genets, and African rodents. For details on restricted animals, please see Bringing an Animal into the U.S.

Infectious biological agents, infectious substances, and vectors

Infectious biological agents capable of causing illness in humans, materials known or reasonably expected to contain an infectious biological agent, vectors of human disease (animals such as insects or bats that can carry zoonotic diseases), and CDC-regulated animal products that have not been rendered noninfectious may require a CDC permit for importation or transfer within the United States. CDC permits for approved scientific, exhibition, or educational purposes are issued by CDC's Import Permit Program, whose guidance and forms can be found on Import Permit Regulations and Standard Interpretations.

Additional information about products restricted by CDC can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations 42 CFR 71.54 Import regulations for infectious biological agents, infectious substances, and vectors.

Rendering animal products non-infectious

A taxidermy certificate with an official government stamp OR a certification statement from a government agency, research institute, or licensed veterinarian should be included with the trophy, stating that the animal has been rendered noninfectious by―

• Heat (heated to an internal temperature of 70°C (158°F) or placed in boiling water for a minimum of 30 minutes)
• Preservation in formalin
• Chemically treating in acidic or alkaline solutions (soaking in a solution below pH 3.0 or above pH 11.5 for 24 hours)
• The use of hypertonic salts
  • Soaking, with agitation, in a 4%(w/v) solution of washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃) maintained at pH 11.5 or above for at least 48 hours OR
  • Soaking, with agitation, in a formic acid solution (100kg salt [NaCl] and 12kg formic acid per 1,000 liters water) maintained at below pH 3.0 for at least 48 hours; wetting and dressing agents may be added.
• Gamma irradiation at a dose of at least 20 kilograys at room temperature (20°C or higher)
• Ethylene oxide
• In the case of raw hides, salting for at least 28 days with sea salt containing 2% washing soda (sodium carbonate, Na₂CO₃)
• For bones only, the following methods are acceptable
  • Dry heat at 82.2°C (180°F) for 30 minutes
  • Soaking in boiling water for 20 minutes
  • Soaking in a 0.1% chlorine bleach solution for 2 hours
  • Soaking in a 5% acetic acid solution for 2 hours
  • Soaking in a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution for 2 hours
• Or any other method approved by CDC

Related links

• Animal and Animal Product Import (USDA APHIS)
• Import and Export: US State and Territory Animal Import Regulations (USDA APHIS)
• Suspension of Entry of Animals, Articles, or Things from Designated Foreign Countries and Places into the United States