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Restricted Animals, Agents, Hosts, and Vectors

Monkeys and other nonhuman primates may not be imported as pets under any circumstances. Importation for permitted purposes is strictly controlled through a registration process. CDC's Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, Field Operations Branch administers these regulations.
Certain animals, such as bats, insects and snails, are known to carry zoonotic diseases. Bats are known to carry rabies and histoplasmosis. Importing such animals for any reason requires permits from CDC and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. CDC permits are issued by CDC's Etiologic Agent Import Program, whose guidelines and forms can be found on their website. Because bats can be infected with and transmit rabies, permits are not granted for importing bats as pets.

b). Etiological agents, hosts, or vectors of human disease, including microorganisms, insects, biological materials, tissue, certain live animals (e.g., live bats), and animal products may require a CDC permit for importation or transfer within the United States. CDC's Office of Health and Safety administers these regulations:

• Live Bats  (66 KB, 4 pages)
• Etiologic Agent and Vector Species
• Guidance for Individual Wishing to Import Non-Human Primate Trophies Skins or Skulls  (17 KB, 1 page)

Certain animals pose an unacceptable risk for carrying and transmitting zoonotic disease:

• Civets are prohibited because they may carry the SARS virus
• African rodents are prohibited because they may carry monkeypox
• Birds from certain Southeast Asian countries are embargoed to prevent the spread of Avian Influenza (H5N1)
• The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulates the importation of endangered species, as does the National Marine Fisheries Service

Other Useful Links about importation:

• Information on the importation of biological specimens and etiologic agents
• HHS regulations on the possession, use, and transfer of select agents and toxins 42CFR73.
• USDA regulations available online, covering the possession, use and transfer of biological agents