What to know
Nonhuman primates (NHP), including monkeys, may not be imported as pets under any circumstances.
Regulation
Since 1975, federal quarantine regulations (42 CFR 71.53) have restricted the importation of nonhuman primates (NHP) to the U.S. These regulations are in place to protect U.S. residents from diseases that can spread from NHP to humans (zoonotic diseases).
NHP include but are not limited to animals commonly known as monkeys, chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas, gibbons, apes, baboons, marmosets, tamarins, lemurs, and lorises.
NHP may only be imported and distributed for bona fide scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes, as defined in regulation.
- Scientific purposes refer to the use of NHP for research following a defined protocol and other standards for research projects as normally conducted at the university level.
- Educational purposes refer to the use of NHP in the teaching of a defined educational program at the university level or equivalent.
- Exhibition purposes refer to the use of NHP as part of a public display open to the public during routinely scheduled hours in a facility that meets or exceeds Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation standards.
The majority of NHP importations into the U.S. each year are for scientific purposes.
These regulations apply to any person importing a live NHP into the United States, including currently registered importers and any person or organization applying to become a registered importer, as well as any person or organization importing NHP products, such as trophies or biological samples. These restrictions also apply to the re-importation of NHP that originated in and are returning to the U.S.
Regulations governing NHP importation are in place to protect U.S. residents from severe infections that can spread from NHP to humans. These infections include
- Viral hemorrhagic fevers, such as Ebola virus disease
- B virus (also called herpes B, monkey B virus, herpesvirus simiae, and herpesvirus B)
- Mpox
- Gastrointestinal diseases (salmonellosis, shigellosis, campylobacteriosis)
- Yellow fever
- Simian immunodeficiency virus
- Tuberculosis
- Other diseases not yet known or identified
Importers of NHP must register with CDC and implement infection control measures. Registered NHP importers must maintain CDC-approved animal facilities where mandatory quarantine occurs after importation. Registered importers must report specific information to CDC about each importation prior to shipment arrival and throughout the quarantine period. Importers must make their facilities, vehicles, equipment, and business records, including employee health records, animal health records, and records of distribution, available to CDC for inspection and ascertainment of compliance with federal regulations. For information on how to become a CDC-registered importer, email NHPImporters@cdc.gov.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and other federal, state, and local authorities may also have requirements for importing live NHP and NHP products that importers must follow.
Frequently asked questions
What is the risk to human health from NHP?
NHP may carry infectious diseases that are dangerous and sometimes fatal to humans. These infections include those caused by Shigella, Salmonella, Ebola virus, herpes B virus, Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (bacteria that cause tuberculosis, or TB), yellow fever virus, and many others. People working in temporary or long-term NHP holding facilities or involved in transporting NHP (e.g., cargo handlers and inspectors) are especially at risk for infection.
What is CDC's role in carrying out NHP regulations?
CDC’s Division of Global Migration Health (DGMH) is responsible for carrying out regulations for the importation of NHP. Since 1975, the importation of NHP has been allowed only for scientific, educational, or exhibition purposes. DGMH regulates the importation of NHP with help from federal partners.
What are the quarantine requirements for NHP imported into the U.S.?
All NHP imported into the United States must be held in a CDC-approved quarantine facility for at least 31 days after arrival. During the quarantine period, the NHP must be tested for tuberculosis and monitored for signs of illness that could represent a zoonotic disease (a disease that can spread from animals to humans). NHP that die of any cause other than injury during the quarantine period must have additional testing performed. Quarantine requirements for imported NHP are designed to prevent zoonotic diseases from spreading to the public.
I have a pet monkey (or other NHP) that I want to take with me on an international trip. Can I return to the U.S. with my pet?
No one will be allowed to bring a monkey or other NHP into the United States to be kept as a pet, even if the person already had the pet before leaving the United States. To avoid having a pet monkey or other NHP taken away upon returning to the United States, travelers should make other arrangements to care for their pets rather than taking them along when traveling outside of the United States. Prospective travelers should also be aware that many U.S. states or local jurisdictions prohibit keeping a monkey or other NHP as a pet. Prospective travelers should be aware of the legal requirements for keeping a pet monkey or other NHP in their home state or local jurisdiction before making care arrangements when traveling outside the United States. Other countries may have similar restrictions on importation of NHP.
I have adopted a monkey overseas. How do I bring it into the U.S.?
Monkeys and other NHP may not be imported as pets under any circumstances.
NHP may only be imported by CDC-registered importers for science, education, and exhibition. These restrictions also apply to the re-importation of NHP that originated in and are returning to the United States.
Can the offspring of an imported NHP be sold or otherwise distributed for a purpose other than science, education, or exhibition?
No. A person shall not accept, maintain, sell, resell, or otherwise distribute imported NHP (including their offspring) for use as pets, as a hobby, or for an occasional display to the public.
What are the requirements for importing NHP products that have been rendered noninfectious?
An NHP product means skulls, skins, bodies, blood, tissues, or other biological samples from an NHP, including trophies, mounts, rugs, or other display items. A CDC permit is not required to import NHP products if the product has been rendered noninfectious by an approved method. For information about importing NHP hunting trophies and other NHP products, visit Bringing Animal Products into the United States.
What are the requirements for importing NHP products that have NOT been rendered noninfectious?
A CDC permit is required for importing NHP products that have not been treated to render them noninfectious. Untreated NHP products may only be received by a facility equipped to handle potentially infectious NHP materials.
Apply for a permit online by visiting the CDC Import Permit Program website.
The imported NHP product must comply with all other applicable federal requirements, including those relating to packaging, shipping, and transport of potentially infectious biohazards, as well as those for select agents. To learn more, visit:
What are the penalties for violation of these regulations?
Any person who violates these regulations may be punished by a fine of up to $100,000 if the violation did not result in the death of a person. The fine may be up to $250,000 per violation if the death of a person has resulted. Individuals may also be imprisoned for up to 1 year. Organizations may be fined up to $200,000 per violation not resulting in death and $500,000 per violation resulting in death. These penalties are criminal in nature and would thus be imposed by a court, not administratively by the Department of Health and Human Services or CDC.