Virgin Islands(U.S) - Obtain Permit to Import Animals

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Procedure

1. Apply for a permit at the Office of the Director of Veterinary Services, Estate Lower Love, Kingshill. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850.
2. Payment must be received before permit is issued.

Arrival of the animals

All livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals entering the Virgin Islands shall upon arrival remain in the custody of the carrier pending an inspection and release by an authorized veterinarian or a designated agent of the Department of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands. All livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals must have, upon entering the Virgin Islands, an official health certificate. An official health certificate is a legible official form completed and issued by a licensed accredited veterinarian of the State of origin or by a veterinarian employed by either the State of origin or the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and which contains:

1. The complete name and address of the consignor and the consignee, including final destination if different from consignee's address, and;
2. An accurate description with complete identification of the animal(s) listed, and;
3. The date and results of any required test(s) conducted, and;
4. A complete description (including dates of administration) of any vaccinations and/or treatment, and;
5. Designation of the purpose the animal is to be imported for (i.e., breeding, sale, etc.).

The Director of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture, Estate Lower Love, Kingshill, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850 must receive a copy of the said health certificate. The certificate shall become void 30 days after issuance.

Any livestock, poultry, birds, or other animals upon entering the Virgin Islands are subject to immediate quarantine, test, or treatment as directed by the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture.

All animals that are affected, a carrier of or have recently exposed to any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease, shall be returned to its point of origin or destroyed and disposed of as directed by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture or his authorized representative, at the expense of the owner or importer. The Government of the Virgin Islands in no way shall render any compensation for any animals so destroyed.

Animal imported from areas where screwworms are known to exist must be accompanied by an accredited certificate stating that the animal(s) has been treated with an insecticide approved by the USDA. The animal must also be examined by a Federal or State Veterinarian of the State of origin immediately before shipment and has been found free of screwworms.

More details about importing animals

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Required Documents

• Completed application form.
• Official health certificate

Office Locations & Contacts

Director of Veterinary Services
Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
RR1 Box 10345
Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850
Phone: 340-778-0997
VIDA Locations

Eligibility

No livestock, poultry, birds or other animals that are affected with or have been exposed to an infectious, contagious, communicable disease, or ectoparasites or which originated in an area quarantined by a territory, State, or the Federal Government because of such disease or parasites shall be permitted to be introduced into the Virgin Islands except with a permit issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands.

Fees

• Permits for horses: $75.00.
• All other permits are $25.00 per species.

Validity

All permits are valid for 2 months after issuance.

The health certificate is valid for 30 days after issuance.

All livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals entering the Virgin Islands under permit shall be consigned to an individual who is a resident of the Virgin Islands or to a legal entity authorized by law to do business with the Virgin Islands.

The consignee shall hold the animals upon arrival until all the provisions of the permit have been met. All permits shall be void 2 months after issuance.

Documents to Use

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Processing Time

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Instructions

The Office of the Director of Veterinary Services, Estate Lower Love, Kingshill. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850, processes all application to obtain a permit to import animals.

Required Information

• Name and address of consignor and consignee.
• Species and number of animals.
• Identification number of each animal (tattoo, microchip, ear tag)
• Point of origin.
• Proposed date of shipment.
• Destination and local address.
• Means of transportation.
• Reason for shipment and use of animals.

Need for the Document

Following are procedures on how you can obtain a permit to import animals into Virgin Islands.

Information which might help

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Other uses of the Document/Certificate

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External Links

• US Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture:

http://www.vifresh.com/vitnary.php

Others

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