Importing Hedgehogs and Tenrecs into the United States

Eligibility for Import

• Hedgehogs and tenrecs may only be imported into the United States from a region designated as free of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD). See the list of countries/regions free of FMD on the USDA APHIS webpage.
• Hedgehogs and tenrecs may NOT be imported into the U.S. from New Zealand.

Import Permit

• An import permit is required. The application, VS Form 17-129, “Application for Import or in Transit Permit” may be obtained by emailing laipermits@usda.gov, by downloading (73.07 KB) it from the APHIS web site, or file electronically using the eFile system. Please allow 7-10 business days for permit processing. 

Veterinary Export Health Certificate

• An official health certificate is required. The official health certificate must be issued by a full-time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the exporting region, OR the certificate may be issued by a veterinarian authorized or accredited by the national government of the exporting region and endorsed by a full time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of that region. 

Ports of Entry

Hedgehogs and tenrecs may be imported into the U.S. at the designated ports outlined in 9 CFR 93.703 and noted below:

• Air and ocean ports: Anchorage and Fairbanks, AK; San Diego and Los Angeles, CA; Denver, CO; Jacksonville, Miami, St. Petersburg-Clearwater, and Tampa, FL; Atlanta, GA; Chicago, IL; New Orleans, LA; Portland, ME; Baltimore, MD; Boston, MA; Minneapolis, MN; Great Falls, MT; Newburgh, NY; Portland, OR; San Juan, PR; Galveston and Houston, TX; and Seattle, Spokane, and Tacoma, WA.
• Canadian border ports: Eastport, ID; Houlton and Jackman, ME; Detroit, Port Huron, and Sault Ste. Marie, MI; Opheim, Raymond, and Sweetgrass, MT; Alexandria Bay, Buffalo, and Champlain, NY; Dunseith, Pembina, and Portal, ND; Derby Line and Highgate Springs, VT; Oroville and Sumas, WA.
• Mexican border ports: Douglas, Naco, Nogales, Sasabe, and San Luis, AZ; Calexico and San Ysidro, CA; Antelope Wells, and Columbus, NM; and Brownsville, Hidalgo, Laredo, Eagle Pass, Del Rio, Presidio, and El Paso, TX. 

Port of Entry Inspection

• A hedgehog or tenrec from any part of the world must be inspected by an APHIS inspector at the port of entry (the first port of arrival into the U.S.). A shipment of hedgehogs or tenrecs may enter the U.S. only if each hedgehog or tenrec in the shipment is found free of ectoparasites and any clinical signs of communicable disease.
• If any hedgehog or tenrec in the shipment is found to be infested with ectoparasites or demonstrates any clinical signs of communicable diseases, then the entire shipment will be refused entry. 

Certification and Treatment Requirements

The Health Certificate must include (model health certificate provided below):

• The name and physical address of the importer (and the physical address of final destination, if different).
• The number, breed, species and description of hedgehogs/tenrecs (age in months, sex, markings) to be exported, and purpose of the exportation.
• The address or other means of identifying the premises of origin, and any other premises where the animals resided immediately prior to export.
• Any identification numbers of official seals that have been applied to the enclosure, if applicable.
• The hedgehog or tenrec originated in a region that has been recognized by USDA APHIS as free of foot-and-mouth disease.
• The hedgehog or tenrec has never been in a region where foot-and-mouth disease exists.
• The hedgehog or tenrec has not been commingled with any other hedgehog or tenrec that originated in or has ever been in a region where foot-and-mouth disease exists.
• The hedgehog was inspected by the individual issuing the health certificate and was found free of ectoparasites not more than 72 hours before being loaded on the conveyance which transported the animal to the U.S.
• All body surfaces of the hedgehog were treated for ectoparasites under the supervision of the veterinarian issuing the health certificate at least 3 days, but not more than 14 days, before being loaded on the conveyance that transported the animal to the U.S.
• The pesticide and the concentration used would kill the types of ectoparasites that may infest the animal to be imported.
• The hedgehog, after being treated for ectoparasites, had physical contact or shared a pen, or bedding materials, only with treated hedgehogs or tenrecs in the same shipment to the U.S.
• The name and concentration of the pesticide used to treat the hedgehogs is listed on the health certificate.
• All animals must be treated for ectoparasites (in accordance with this section) prior to export. Since some animals covered under this protocol may be especially sensitive to chemical treatments, S&P, Live Animal Imports or FiOps staff veterinarians may be consulted as needed by importers or APHIS field staff regarding acceptable types of ectoparasite treatments for individual species. 

Animals Refused Entry

• Any hedgehog or tenrec refused entry into the United States for noncompliance with requirements of this protocol will be removed from the U.S. within a time period specified by the Administrator or shall be considered abandoned by the importer. Pending removal or abandonment, the animal will be subject to safeguards as the inspector determines necessary to prevent the possible introduction of ectoparasites into the U.S.
• The importer will be given the following options:
  • Remove the shipment from the United States; OR 
  • The shipment may be released to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Administrator will destroy or otherwise dispose of the shipment as necessary.
• If an animal that has been refused entry is not removed from the United States within the prescribed time period or is abandoned, it may be seized, destroyed, or otherwise disposed of as the Administrator determines necessary to prevent the possible introduction of ectoparasites into the United States.

USFWS regulates the import of all species of wildlife, and species protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). These regulations are part of an international conservation effort to protect exotic wildlife subject to trade. For listed species, all required CITES permits must accompany the animal.

States and municipalities may have specific regulations concerning importation and/or possession of hedgehogs and tenrecs. Some ban the import of these animals, including Georgia, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, and all five boroughs of New York City.

It is the responsibility of the importer to check for this information. Please contact the state veterinary authority in the destination state for more information on local laws: State Regulations and Import Requirements.