Importation of Products for ResearchThe United States Department of Agriculture=s(USDA) agency called APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) is responsible for a variety of issues; health and care of animals and plants, improving agricultural productivity and competitiveness, and contributing to the national economy and the public health. One subdivision, Veterinary Services(VS), controls the National Center of Import and Export(NCIE), thus the importing of live animals and animal products. The NCIE's Veterinary Services(VS) Division was formed in order to ensure that exotic animal and poultry diseases are not imported into the United States by setting up a regulatory and inspection process. This process ensures exotic diseases are not introduced into the U.S. population. How does this affect our University researchers? USDA regulations may require permits before importing foreign animals and/or animal products. Some materials include:
Exempt products: Some products may require shipping documents or papers for the USDA Inspectors to approve upon arrival. If the shipper does not include the proper paperwork then you may be required to obtain a permit upon port inspection. Check exemptions and non-permit required products here. User fees are charged for permit activities, and a user account is recommended if 6 or more importations occur per year. The permit and fee required must be submitted before importation of any restricted products can be processed. Accounts may be established by requesting a credit application form from the following address: USDA, APHIS, FSO, UFDA or you can call the user fee help line at Area Code (612) 370-2291 for further assistance. Application Forms can be obtained several ways: 1. Download forms VS16-3, VS16-7, VS17-129 through APHIS Home Page (Adobe Acrobat Required): http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/forms/index.html#VS16 2. Call the Automated Document Retrieval System at Area Code (301) 734-4952. 3. Writing the Animal Products Program at: USDA, APHIS, VS, NCIE Products Program 4. University EHS also has some forms (i.e.: VS 16-3, VS 16-7, VS 17-129) on file in OS at 410.706.3490. For further information please contact the Animal Products Program at (301)734-7885, 734-7830, or 734-8695, or by facsimile at (301) 734-8226. * Need to find an approved establishment or shipper? Use the VS Search engine at http://aphisweb.aphis.usda.gov/ncie/query-app-estab.html Related Topics: 1) Importation of human and non-human primate products - The U.S. Public Health Service (USPHS). Department of Health and Human Services 2) Information on Importation of plant products - The USDA=s Plant Protection and Quarantine Home Page (PPQ) Related Websites: United States Department of Agriculture Center for Veterinary Biologics National Veterinary Service Laboratory The Plant Pathology Internet Guide Book (PPIGB) The American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AALAS) |
