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Importing into the United States - Indo-American Chamber Of ...

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The importation <strong>into</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> of<br />

any wildlife, <strong>the</strong>ir parts or products is prohibited<br />

if <strong>the</strong> wildlife was captured, taken,<br />

shipped, or possessed contrary to <strong>the</strong> laws of<br />

<strong>the</strong> foreign country.<br />

The importation of fea<strong>the</strong>rs or skins of any<br />

bird, except for scientific and educational purposes,<br />

is prohibited, except for <strong>the</strong> species<br />

noted in this paragraph. This prohibition does<br />

not apply to fully manufactured artificial flies<br />

used for fishing or to personally taken, noncommercial<br />

game birds. Fea<strong>the</strong>rs or skins of <strong>the</strong><br />

following species are permitted entry: chickens,<br />

turkeys, guinea fowl, geese, ducks, pigeons,<br />

ostriches, rheas, English ring-necked pheasants,<br />

and pea fowl not taken from <strong>the</strong> wild.<br />

On October 23, 1992, <strong>the</strong> Wild Bird Conservation<br />

Act became effective. This act focuses<br />

on live bird species listed in <strong>the</strong> Appendices to<br />

<strong>the</strong> Convention on International Trade in<br />

Endangered Species (CITES). Now, if you<br />

import live birds, you must meet <strong>the</strong> requirements<br />

of this law in addition to existing<br />

requirements of CITES, <strong>the</strong> Endangered Species<br />

Act, <strong>the</strong> Migratory Bird Treaty Act, or o<strong>the</strong>r<br />

applicable regulations. Import permits must be<br />

obtained from <strong>the</strong> Fish and Wildlife Service,<br />

<strong>Of</strong>fice of Management Authority.<br />

Live birds, <strong>the</strong>ir parts and products that<br />

are protected under <strong>the</strong> Migratory Bird Treaty<br />

Act may be imported <strong>into</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>United</strong> <strong>States</strong> for<br />

scientific purposes or certain propagating purposes<br />

only under permits issued by <strong>the</strong> Fish<br />

and Wildlife Service, <strong>Of</strong>fice of Migratory Birds,<br />

located in <strong>the</strong> region where <strong>the</strong> importation<br />

will occur or where <strong>the</strong> importer resides.<br />

Imports of birds (pets, migratory birds,<br />

falcons) are subject to <strong>the</strong> quarantine requirements<br />

of <strong>the</strong> USDA and Public Health Service.<br />

Quarantine space must be reserved in advance<br />

of import. Prior to export, health certificates<br />

must be obtained. Inquiries should be<br />

addressed to <strong>the</strong> appropriate agency.<br />

On June 9, 1989, <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish and Wildlife<br />

Service announced a ban on <strong>the</strong> importation of<br />

most African elephant ivory and any products<br />

made from it. The ban covers all commercial<br />

and noncommercial shipments, including personal<br />

baggage accompanying a tourist. There<br />

are limited exceptions for antiques, trophies,<br />

and personal household effects. For fur<strong>the</strong>r<br />

information, contact <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish and Wildlife<br />

Service, <strong>Of</strong>fice of Management Authority, 4401<br />

N. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203, Tel.<br />

1.800.358.2104.<br />

The importation of birds, cats, dogs, monkeys,<br />

and turtles is subject to <strong>the</strong> requirements<br />

of <strong>the</strong> U.S. Public Health Service, Centers for<br />

Disease Control, Quarantine Division, Atlanta,<br />

GA 30333; of <strong>the</strong> Veterinary Services of <strong>the</strong><br />

Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service,<br />

Department of Agriculture, Hyattsville, MD<br />

20782; and of <strong>the</strong> U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.<br />

The importation of live turtles, tortoises, and<br />

terrapins with a carapace length of less than<br />

four inches, and <strong>the</strong> viable eggs of turtles, tortoises<br />

and terrapins, is allowed by <strong>the</strong> U.S.<br />

Public Health Service only under strict requirements<br />

as to purpose and quantity. The U.S.<br />

Public Heath Service does not allow <strong>the</strong> importation<br />

of live, non-human primates, including<br />

monkeys, as pets.<br />

OTHER MISCELLANEOUS<br />

PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED<br />

MERCHANDISE<br />

White or yellow phosphorus matches, fireworks<br />

banned under federal or state restrictions, pepper<br />

shells, switchblade knives, and lottery tickets are<br />

prohibited.<br />

40. Foreign Assets Control Restrictions. The<br />

<strong>Of</strong>fice of Foreign Assets Control administers<br />

regulations (31 CFR, Chapter V) which generally<br />

prohibit <strong>the</strong> importation of merchandise or<br />

goods that contain components from <strong>the</strong> following<br />

countries: Taliban (Afghanistan), Cuba,<br />

Iran (see note below), Iraq, Libya, Serbia (see<br />

note below), and Sudan. These restrictions<br />

apply to <strong>the</strong> country of origin, regardless of<br />

where <strong>the</strong> item was acquired.<br />

These proscriptions do not apply to informational<br />

materials such as pamphlets, books,<br />

tapes, films, or recordings, except those from<br />

Iraq.<br />

There are also strong restrictions on <strong>the</strong><br />

importation of rough diamonds from Sierra<br />

Leone, Angola, and Liberia. Contact your local<br />

port for more information on <strong>the</strong>se so-called<br />

“conflict diamonds.”<br />

82 U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE

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