Import Alert: Import Restrictions on Canada due to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza 

PCZ-232 in Nova Scotia 

PCZ-234 in Alberta 

PCZ-235 in Alberta 

APHIS imposed these restrictions due to the diagnosis of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in domestic birds in Canada. Maps of the restricted zones are available on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) highly pathogenic avian influenza zones webpage. 

APHIS lifts its import restrictions on zones in Canada after they have met World Organisation for Animal Health criteria for recovery of HPAI free status described in Article 10.4.6 of the Terrestrial Animal Health Code. 

APHIS requires a health certificate from the CFIA and an import permit for importation of pet and zoo birds from Canada.  

Pet birds, zoo birds, and Columbiformes originating from or transiting a restricted zone must be flown directly to John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, or Miami International Airport in Florida to undergo a 30-day federal quarantine that includes mandatory testing. 

Processed avian products and byproducts originating from or transiting a restricted zone, imported as cargo, must be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements.  

Importation 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 a restricted zone, imported as cargo, 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/are not required for these shipments if they are consigned to an APHIS-approved establishment.  

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

• have a thoroughly cooked appearance; or 
• be shelf-stable as a result of APHIS-approved packaging and cooking (i.e., packaged in a hermetically sealed container and cooked by a commercial method after such packing to produce an article that is shelf stable without refrigeration); or  

• be accompanied by an APHIS import permit and/or government certification confirming that the products or byproducts were treated in accordance with APHIS requirements.  

Unprocessed avian products and byproducts for personal use or in passenger baggage originating from or transiting Canada will not be permitted to enter the United States. 

Hunter-harvested wild game bird meat and carcasses must meet the conditions outlined in the APHIS Import Alert issued August 15, 2023, which can be found on the Temporary Restrictions List at the “Canada - Hunter Harvested Wild Game Bird Carcasses” link.   

These restrictions will be updated as additional epidemiological information is obtained. Additional information is available on the APHIS website: Bringing Live Animals and Germplasm into the United States From Another Country (Import) and Animal Product Imports.