Transport of wildlife is a complicated process. The possible regulations that could apply to the transport of live wildlife include:
- Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
- CITES guidelines for the non-air transport of live wild animals and plants (CITES)
- U.S. Code, 50 CFR 14, Subpart J-Standards for the humane and healthful transport of wild mammals and birds to the U.S.
- Lacey Act and Lacey Act Amendment of 1981 (18USC 42)
- Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
- Wild Bird Conservation Act (WBCA)
- International Air Transport Association (IATA)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Wildlife covered under USFWS import regulations includes:
- Mammals
- Non-Human Primates
- Elephants & Ungulates
- Marine mammals
- Other Terrestrial Mammals
- Marsupials
- Rodents
- Sloths, Bats & Dermopterans
- Wild Birds
There are, however, many other species that not listed here that may fall under CITES regulations for both import and export.Due to the complex nature of live wildlife transport, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service strongly recommends that you contact USFWS Law Enforcement officials at your local, authorized port or the Division of Management Authority directly to ensure that all necessary regulations are followed prior to transport. For more information, please consult the Office of Law Enforcement.