A Federal Migratory Bird Import/Export permit authorizes a permittee to import and/or export across the international boundary into and/or out of the United States. This includes live birds as well as mounted birds, specimens, feathers, parts (including samples, blood, and DNA), nests, and eggs.
Who Needs It?
Permits are issued to the individual or entity conducting the import and/or export. If you reside or are located outside the United States, U.S. contact information (name, address, phone number) must be provided. This can be an agent located in the U.S; however, an agent or taxidermist cannot be the permit holder unless they meet all issuance criteria, including demonstrating legal acquisition and legal possession of bird(s).
Migratory bird is defined in 50 CFR 10.12. Migratory bird means any bird which belongs to a species listed in 50 CFR 10.13, whatever its origin, whether or not raised in captivity, and including mutations and hybrids of any such species. Migratory Bird includes live birds as well as any part, nest, or egg of any such bird. This includes any product, whether or not manufactured, which consists, or is composed in whole or part, of any such bird, part, nest, or egg.
Pre-Act specimens require permit for import/export (50 CFR 21.2(a)). “Pre-Act” refers to migratory birds, their parts, nests, or eggs, lawfully acquired prior to the effective date of Federal protection under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (16 U.S.C. 703-712). Pre-Act are not exempt from import/export permit requirements; however, Pre-Act specimens may be possessed and transported within the U.S. without a permit (50 CFR 21.2(a)), including for personal use. For most species, the Pre-Act date is 1918; however, you may provide justification for a different pre-Act date. You must provide documentation to support Pre-Act status, such as old records, photographs, or other available evidence. Within the U.S., Pre-Act items may be gifted but may not be purchased or sold (50 CFR 21.2(a)). A copy of the import permit and paperwork showing legal acquisition and import should remain with the specimen(s) at all times.
What is not covered by this permit?
Do not use this form for transporting Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, species listed under CITES (the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species), or species other than migratory birds. If you will be transporting Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and/or CITES listed species in addition to migratory birds, migratory birds may be included in those application forms.
A Migratory Bird Import/Export Permit does not apply to birds identified as Domesticated Animals (50 CFR 14.4) and Part 14 regulations apply. For birds to qualify as domesticated animals, they must not be obtained from the wild and must be visually distinct from their wild counterparts. For example, Barnyard Mallards typically have large patches of white that distinguish them from wild Mallards.
A federal Migratory Bird Import/Export Permit is not required to move migratory birds across state lines.
We do not require a federal Migratory Bird Import/Export permit for pellets, bolus, or similar items. Even though there is a possibility that they may contain pieces of migratory bird species, the primary composition are rodents and fish, respectively.
Process
Submit an Application
To submit an application online or through the mail, follow the instructions on our ePermits site.
Application Fee
- $75
- Application fee is non-refundable.
- Federal, Tribal, State, and local government agencies, and those acting on the behalf of such agencies, are exempt from the processing fee (documentation may be required).