HEALTH CERTIFICATES FOR ANIMALS SHIPPED FROM DUKE UNIVERSITY:  The Federal Animal Welfare Act requires health certificates for dogs, cats and nonhuman primates and certain other regulated species shipped in commerce. The certificate must be signed by a licensed and accredited veterinarian subsequent to examination of the animal(s) by that veterinarian. The animal must be examined and the Health Certificate must be signed within ten days prior to the shipment date.

Political jurisdictions or persons receiving species other than dogs, cats and nonhuman primates from Duke University may require health certificates. Commercial carriers may require health certificates for any animal that they transport. For further information, contact DLAR at 684-2797.


IMPORTATION OF ANIMALS and BIOLOGICAL MATERIALS INTO DUKE:  The importation of animals and biological materials is regulated by the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and various other organizations including the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). These regulations serve to protect animal and human populations in the United States against animal-borne diseases of other countries.

For specific information about regulations governing the possession, importation, and exportation of animals and biological materials contact DLAR at 684-2797. Undocumented animal deliveries to a port of embarkation in the United States may result in serious delay or refusal of entry. Similar events may take place in foreign countries following undocumented exportation from the United States.

Biological materials include macromolecules (DNA, RNA and proteins, etc.), cell cultures and frozen embryos. Requests for a permit to import biological materials must be submitted on a completed VS Form 16-3 or VS Form 16-7 (Application to Import Controlled Material or Organisms and Vectors). Biological materials will be subject to delay or refusal at the port of entry if an importation permit is not obtained before shipment to the United States. Applications forms may be obtained from:

USDA, APHIS, VS
Import-Export Products Staff
Room 756, Federal Building
6505 Belcrest Rd.
Hyattsville, MD 20782
Telephone: (301) 436-8226