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Horse Import to the United States

Regardless of the point of origin, horses entering the United States will be placed in quarantine upon arrival. Horses imported into the US must have an International Health Certificate that has been by a full-time veterinary officer of the National Government in the country of origin. The International Health Certification must address the following:

• The horse has been in the exporting country for 60 days prior to importation. If this is not the case, the horse must be accompanied by certificates, issued by a full-time veterinary officer of the National Government from each of the countries the animal has visited in during the 60 days prior to importation.
• Inspection of the horse has found the animal free of contagious diseases and, as well as can be determined, free from exposure to contagious disease during the 60 days prior to exportation.
• Vaccines with a live, attenuated, or inactivated vaccine have not been administered to the horse 14 days prior to exportation.
• The horse has not been on grounds or any adjoining grounds, where any of the following have occurred 60 days prior to exportation:
  • African Horse Sickness (AHS),
  • Dourine
  • Glanders
  • Surra
  • Epizootic Lymphangitits
  • Ulcerative Lymphangitis
  • Equine Piroplasmosis
  • Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
  • Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM)
  • Vesicular Stomatitis
  • Venezuelan Equine Encephalomyelitis
• The horse has not been in a country where CEM is known to exist. In addition, the horse may not have had any contact, breeding, or otherwise, with horses from a country where CEM is known to exist for the 12 months prior to exportation.
• The horse has been found to be free from ectoparasites.

Horse Import Mandatory Testing

Mandatory TestingThe USDA assigns various quarantine periods, ranging from 3 to 60 days. All horses presented for import into the US will be tested for:

• Dourine
• Glanders
• Equine Piroplasmosis
• EIA

Horses testing positive for any of these diseases will be refused entry into the United States.

Criteria for Quarantine Periods for Horses

Horse Import and Criteria for Quarantine Periods• Three Days: All horses imported into the US from countries that require three-day quarantine will be are detained at the US port of entry while blood testing is conducted. Test results are normally available within 3 days. The USDA charges for a minimum of 3 days in quarantine, plus an additional charge for blood testing. Refer to the USDA website for more information.

• Seven Days: Horses arriving in the US from countries that require a seven-day quarantine are countries that are not recognized by the USDA as being free from VEE or screwworm. Horses will be placed in quarantine at the port of entry for a minimum of seven days. During the quarantine period, blood testing will be conducted and charges from the USDA will be assessed for a minimum of seven days.

• Sixty Days: Any horse imported into the US directly from any of the countries affected with AHS will be quarantined for a minimum of 60 days. This quarantine may take place only at the port of New York. During the quarantine period, blood testing will be conducted and charges from the USDA will be assessed for a minimum of sixty days.

Foreign Agent and Preparation

US Customs Requirements for Horse ImportAll goods, including livestock, must be cleared though US Customs upon arrival in the US. US Customs requires a completed US Customs Limited Power of Attorney of file for each importer, including Social Security number if an individual or Federal Identification Number if a business. At World Pet Travel, we are a licensed customs broker and freight forwarder. We are qualified to handle all of the US Customs paperwork for you. If the client is not a US citizen, World Pet Travel makes application to the US Customs Service for a Customs Importer Number that will allow us to complete the US Customs Entry on behalf of the client.

Although US Customs does not assess duties on imported horses, there is a US Customs Use Fee on all Non-American goods entering the country. The fee is based on the value of the animal at a rate of .0021%, with a minimum charge of $25 and a maximum charge of $485 per entry.

The horse owner must supply World Pet Travel with accurate information regarding the value of the horse to be shown on the commercial invoice and submitted to US Customs when entering the US.

Before shipment of a horse from another country, it is of extreme importance that all the necessary requirements are met. Improperly prepared documentation can mean additional quarantine time for your horse or even result in being refused entry into the US or worse yet, put down when they enter the US.

Please consult with us for a referral to one of World Pet Travel’s affiliated agents in your country before you begin.World Pet Travel Can Handle All Horse Import and Export Details.World Pet Travel has a network of agents worldwide that can provide you with the best quality and comprehensive service available, resulting in a less stressful experience for both you and your horse. Let our worldwide network of agents at World Pet Travel handle all the details for you.