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Import/Export Permit Information

Many etiologic agents, infectious materials or vectors containing infectious agents are imported from foreign locations into the United States for domestic use (educational, scientific, commercial, etc.). Packages containing etiologic agents or vectors originating in these foreign locations must have an importation permit issued by the United States Public Health Service. Importation permits are issued only to the importer, who must be located in the United States. The importation permit, with the proper packaging and labeling, will expedite clearance of the package of infectious materials through the United States Public Health Service Division of Quarantine and release by U.S. Customs. Washington University must use the services of an Import Broker to clear imports with the United States Customs Service. The WU Purchasing Web Site Contains the Import Broker Fact Sheet which contains the necessary contact information for handling imports. (When in the WU Purchasing Web Site, click on Import/Export under Purchasing Services.)

Importation Permits for Etiologic Agents

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Veterinary Services (VS) regulates the importation of animals and animal-derived materials to ensure that exotic animal and poultry diseases are not introduced into the United States. Generally, a USDA veterinary permit is needed for materials derived from animals or exposed to animal-source materials. Materials which require a permit include, animal tissues, blood, cells or cell lines of livestock or poultry origin, RNA/DNA extracts, hormones, enzymes, monoclonal antibodies for IN VIVO use in non-human species, certain polyclonal antibodies, antisera, bulk shipments of test kit reagents, and microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, protozoa, and fungi. Exceptions to this requirement are human and non-human primate tissues, serum, and blood. Various other animal materials which require a permit include dairy products (except butter and cheese), and meat products (e.g., meat pies, prepared foods) from countries with livestock diseases exotic to the U.S. Import permit applications may be obtained through our Automated Document Retrieval System at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/permits, or by writing the Import/Export Animal Products Program at:

USDA, APHIS, VS, NCIE
Products Program
4700 River Road, Unit 40
Riverdale, MD 20737-1231

For further information or questions concerning import applications, please contact the Animal Products Program at Area Code (301) 734-3277 or by facsimile at (301) 723-8226. User fees are charged for all import services for restricted animal products. All applications for a veterinary permit to import materials or transport organisms and vectors must be accompanied by payment before processing can begin. Acceptable methods of payment are: check, money order (payable to USDA, APHIS), VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or an APHIS User Fee Credit Account. User fee credit accounts are recommended if there are more than 6 fee activities per year.

To establish a User Fee Credit Account please contact our Field Servicing Office for a credit application. You may write to their office to obtain the User Fee Credit Application at the following address:

USDA, MRP-BS, MBS, ART
P.O. Box 3334
Minneapolis, MN 55403

Or to request a User Fee Credit Application by phone, call the User Fee Help Line at: (877) 777-2128 (U.S. and Canada only) or (612) 370-2291.

The schedule of primary user fees (9 CFR, Part 130.8) for the importation of animal-derived materials are as follows:*

*Please note all fees are subject to change

USDA Import/Export Information

• APHIS The National Center for Import and Export (for animals, animal products, and biologics)
• Agricultural Permits (plants and plant products)