the Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Wel- 
fare, Washington 25, D.C. 
When Importing by Other Means Than Baggage 
It is becoming more commonplace yearly for individuals and groups 
within the continental United States to acquire foreign plant or animal 
goods. In whatever way these goods are acquired and however they are 
shipped, the receiver has responsibility for making sure that the USDA 
inspection and quarantine regulations have been complied with. 
A permit is required in most of these import situations. Even a 
partial listing covering the most common situations requiring a permit 
indicates the many segments of the general public that are concerned 
personally in this country’s effort to keep out foreign pests and diseases 
that threaten agriculture. 
A USDA permit is necessary: 
@ To import most kinds of animals,’ (including birds and eggs for 
hatching, for breeding, farming, or personal ownership). 
@ To import nursery stock and any other plant materials for farming, 
gardening, parks, or other kinds of planting. 
@ To import most kinds of fruit, vegetables, and other plant products. 
@ To import plants for fairs and exhibitions. 
@To import animals and birds--with the exceptions explained in 
footnote 2--for fairs, zoos, and other exhibitions. 
®To import plant materials or plant pests for research or for 
museums or other collections. 
® To import vaccines and other animal biologicals for veterinary 
medical use and research. 
@ To import foreign soil for research or any other use. 
Application forms for permits can be obtained by writing to the fol- 
lowing offices: 
Plant materials: Plant Quarantine Division, U.S, Department of Agri- 
culture, Washington 25, D.C.; or Plant Quarantine Division, Plant Importa- 
tions Branch, 209 River Street, Hoboken, N. J. 
Animal materials: Animal Inspection and Quarantine Division, U.S. 
Department of Agriculture, Washington 25, D.C. 
2 The USDA requires a person in this country to obtain a prior permit for the importation of animals with 
the following exceptions: horses, animals from Canada, and certain animals from the northern States of Mexico. 
This permit is in addition to the certification of animal health authorities in the country of origin, and horses 
and cattle may require further testing at a port of entry. 
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