Import Alert: Lifting of HPAI Restrictions on Gunma Prefecture, Japan

Issuance Date: February 7, 2024 

8:40 AM, U.S. Eastern 

Effective Date: February 7, 2024—Gunma Prefecture 

Effective on the date(s) listed above and until further notice the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is lifting restrictions on the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products originating from or transiting the prefecture(s) listed above due to the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds. 

APHIS placed avian commodity restrictions on these prefecture(s) due to the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. The Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has now demonstrated complete resolution of the HPAI outbreak(s) in domestic birds in these prefecture(s) and met the requirements to regain the previous HPAI-free status in accordance with Article 10.4.6 of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Animal Health Code. Therefore, APHIS is lifting the HPAI-related import restrictions on avian commodities originating from or transiting these prefectures. 

APHIS continues to restrict the importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, avian hatching eggs, unprocessed avian products and byproducts, and certain fresh poultry products from the prefecture(s) listed below:  

Kagawa 

Yamaguchi 

Importation of any of these commodities originating from or transiting a restricted prefecture is prohibited, based on the diagnosis of HPAI in domestic birds. 

Under these restrictions, processed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting any restricted prefecture and imported as cargo must be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the commodities were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements.  

Importation as cargo of fresh, unprocessed shell/table eggs and other egg products, void of the shell (i.e., liquid eggs and dried egg whites), originating from or transiting any restricted prefecture is prohibited unless they are consigned from the port of arrival directly to an APHIS-approved breaking and pasteurization facility. An import permit and/or certificate is not required for these shipments when consigned directly to an APHIS-approved establishment. 

Processed avian products and byproducts, including eggs and egg products, for personal use originating from or transiting a restricted prefecture, entering in passenger baggage, must:  

Importation of poultry, commercial birds, ratites, and hatching eggs originating from or transiting any restricted prefecture is prohibited. However, pet and zoo birds, pigeons, and doves may be imported under an APHIS import permit and will be subject to a 30-day quarantine at the New York Animal Import Center in Newburgh, NY, or the Miami Animal Import Center in Miami, FL.  

These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. Additional information can be found on the APHIS website.