U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE
WILDLIFE INSPECTION PROGRAM
IMPORTING AND EXPORTING
WILDLIFE
Presented by Wildlife Inspector Leigh Graham
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
Mission
The Mission of the U.S.
Fish & Wildlife
Service: working with
others to conserve,
protect and enhance
fish, wildlife, and
plants and their
habitats for the
continuing benefit of
the American people.
LAW ENFORCEMENT
The Division of Law
Enforcement contributes
to Service efforts to
manage ecosystems,
save endangered
species, conserve
migratory birds, preserve
wildlife habitat, restore
fisheries, combat invasive
species, and promote
international wildlife
conservation.
LAWS
Endangered Species Act
Lacey Act
Migratory Bird Treaty Act
African Elephant Conservation Act
Wild Bird Conservation Act
Rhino Tiger Labeling Act
CITES
CITES (the Convention on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild
Fauna and Flora) is an international
agreement between Governments. Its aim
is to ensure that international trade in
specimens of wild animals and plants does
not threaten their survival.
CITES
CITES works by subjecting international
trade in specimens of selected species to
certain controls. These require that all
import, export, re-export and introduction
from the sea of species covered by the
Convention has to be authorized through a
permitting system.
CITES
The species covered by CITES are listed in three Appendices,
according to the degree of protection they need.
Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction. Trade in
specimens of these species is permitted only in exceptional
circumstances. A US Import Permit and foreign Export or Re-export
Permit is required.
Appendix II includes species not necessarily threatened with
extinction, but in which trade must be controlled in order to avoid
utilization incompatible with their survival. A foreign Export or Reexport Permit is required.
Appendix III contains species that are protected in at least one
country, which has asked other CITES Parties for assistance in
controlling the trade. A foreign Certificate of Origin or CITES Export
or Re-export Permit is required.
IMPORTING & EXPORTING
WILDLIFE
All wildlife must be
declared upon import
or export
DESIGNATED PORTS OF ENTRY
Anchorage
Atlanta
Baltimore
Boston
Chicago
Dallas/Ft. Worth
Honolulu
Houston
Los Angeles
(907) 271-6198
(404) 763-7959
(410) 865-2127
(617) 889-6616
(847) 298-3250
(972) 574-3254
(808) 861-852
(281) 230-7225
(310) 328-6307
Louisville
Memphis
Miami
New Orleans
New York
Newark
Portland
San Francisco
Seattle
(502) 582-5989
(901) 544-3694
(305) 526-7480
(504) 219-8870
(516) 825-3950
(973) 645-6171
(503) 231-6135
(650) 876-9078
(206) 764-3463
BORDER & SPECIAL PORTS
Blaine, WA
Brownsville, TX
Buffalo, NY
Champlain, NY
Denver, CO
Detroit, MI
Dulles, VA
Dunseith, ND
El Paso, TX
Great Falls, MT
(360) 332-5388
(956) 504-2035
(716) 691-3635
(518) 298-4708
(303) 342-7430
(734) 247-6800
(703) 661-8560
(701) 263-4462
(915) 872-4765
(406) 453-5790
Guam
Laredo, TX
McAllen, TX
Minneapolis, MN
Nogales, AZ
Pembina, ND
Port Huron, MI
Puerto Rico, PR
San Diego, CA
Tampa, FL
(671) 647-6064
(956) 726-2234
(956) 686-8591
(612) 726-6302
(520) 287-4633
(701) 825-6366
(810) 985-9160
(787) 749-4338
(619) 557-5794
(727) 570-5450
DECLARATION REQUIREMENTS
Complete the Declaration for Importation
or Exportation of Fish or Wildlife.
Submit the following: all original wildlife
permits, all invoices and/or packing slips,
copies of veterinary certificates, and the
bill of lading.
Make the wildlife available for inspection.
All inspections are done at time of import
or export at a Customs Bonded Facility.
FWS CLEARANCE
You must obtain FWS clearance prior to
Customs clearance. [50 CFR 14.52(a)]
ABI Certified Entries – DO NOT
transmit/certify ABI entries until FWS
clearance has been obtained.
ABI Paperless Entries – You must submit
copy of 3461. Therefore, once you enter
data, force print 3461 but DO NOT
enter/submit to CBP.
FEES
LIVE WILDLIFE PROCEDURES
PROCEDURES FOR CLEARING LIVE WILDLIFE DURING U.S. CUSTOMS
BUSINESS HOURS
M-F 8:30 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Sat 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Be sure to fax the 48 hour notice
Call Wildlife Inspector on Duty:
a. the prior business day for shipments to be inspected before 9:00 a.m.
b. before 8:30 a.m. the day of the shipment for inspections after 9:00 a.m.
Make an appointment to meet the wildlife inspector at the airline cargo facility.
(The appointment time will be after the freight is available for inspection.)
Meet the wildlife inspector at the cargo warehouse with original documents
(3-177, permits, invoices, AWB, etc.) and user fee.
eDec (electronic filing) users need to print the eDec prior to meeting the wildlife
inspector at the warehouse. [to file the 3-177 electronically, go to
https://edecs.fws.gov]. The wildlife inspector will stamp your copy of eDec at the
time of inspection so you can clear U.S. Customs. After the wildlife inspector
returns to the office, the eDec will be cleared electronically and you can print a
copy of the eDec for your files.
After receiving FWS clearance, proceed to U.S. Customs for clearance.
PROCEDURES FOR CLEARING
LIVE WILDLIFE
AFTER U.S. CUSTOMS BUSINESS HOURS
Be sure to fax the 48 hour notice.
Call Wildlife Inspector on Duty to make an appointment
at the cargo warehouse. (No inspections will be
conducted between midnight and 6:00 a.m.)
Meet the wildlife inspector at the cargo warehouse at the
appointed time with all original documents.
Customs clearance must be obtained at O’Hare
International Airport, Terminal 5. Prior arrangement
should be made with U.S. Customs to ensure prompt
clearance, T-5 phone number 773-894-2900.
eDECS
eDECS
System Requirements
To use eDecs, you must have a computer
with Internet connectivity and an Internet
e-mail account (e.g., smith@acme.com).
You must use Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Web browser to submit eDecs to the U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service.
eDECS
Internet Settings
You only have to perform these steps
once. The eDecs system is designed to
work with Microsoft's Internet Explorer
Web browser (version 5.0 or higher). You
can download this browser for free from
Microsoft's Web site.
eDECS
eDECS – http://edecs.fws.gov
Create an Account
Create a Declaration
Submit to USFWS
You must send all documents: original
permits, invoices and/or packing lists, and
bill of lading all with a copy the eDec to the
USFWS Office.
eDECS
HELPFUL WEBSITES
Licenses and Permits
*http://permits.fws.gov
Import/Export Information, Laws, and
Regulations.
*http://www.le.fws.gov
CITES Information including current list of
Appendices
*www.cites.org
Forms
*http://forms.fws.gov
QUESTIONS?