Animal Import Regulations for Maryland

Update: As of January 2, 2019 Maryland will no longer accept the APHIS-VS form 7001 for small animals entering Maryland as an official Interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (ICVI).   

General requirements for all species

Livestock and poultry imported into the State of Maryland shall meet Maryland interstate regulations and be accompanied by an approved Certificate of Veterinary Inspection or permit.  

1. Permits (Written Permission)  
   1. Swine may be moved into Maryland only if granted written permission (permit).  
   2. Where obtained: Application for such permits must be made in writing by the person wishing to import the animal(s) to the Animal Health Program, Maryland Department of Agriculture, 50 Harry S. Truman Parkway, Annapolis, MD. 21401, Telephone: 410-841-5810, at least 10 days before the anticipated movement. 
   3. Conditions: Special permits are granted only at the discretion of the Chief, Animal Health Program and animals so imported are subject to quarantine and such testing as Chief may prescribe at the owner's risk and expense. Permits are void after 30 days. 
2.  Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)  Definition: An official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is a legible certificate made on an official form issued and approved by the chief Animal Health official of the state of origin or the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  
   1. Veterinarians must use a separate CVI for each species 
   2. Please complete ALL of the following:  
      1. name and address of consignor and consignee.  
      2. origin of livestock.  
      3. accurate description or identification of livestock – one species only per CVI.  
      4. appropriate dates and descriptions, by name, of current disease tests specifically required.  
      5. status of herd of origin when required.
      6. dated statement by the approved veterinarian certifying that upon physical examination the livestock are free from any evidence of an infectious, parasitic or transmissible disease and have not recently been exposed to the same.  
   3. Who may prepare: Certificates of Veterinary Inspection shall be prepared by veterinarians in the employ of the state of origin, by those in the Veterinary Services, U. S. Department of  Agriculture, or by Accredited Veterinarians. The Accredited Veterinarians must be approved by the recognized Animal Health official of the state of origin. 
   4. How Used:  
      1. A hard copy or electronic of the approved Certificate of Veterinary Inspection must be sent  to the Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Program from the official animal health department state of origin. No faxed copies will be accepted. 
      2. Another copy of the approved Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stays with the issuing veterinarian, and one shall be given to the owner to accompany the animal.  
      3. Certificates shall be void after 30 days. 
   5. Exceptions  
      1. Immediate Slaughter: Apparently healthy livestock and poultry may be imported into the state without a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection provided they are accompanied by a waybill and consigned for immediate slaughter to a recognized public stockyard where Federal or State veterinary inspection is maintained, or shipped to slaughtering establishment or center that is approved and designated by the Veterinary Services, U. S. Department of Agriculture and the Director, Division of Animal Industries, Maryland Department of Agriculture. Such livestock shall be slaughtered within 10 days after arrival at destination except when this period is extended by a special permit from Maryland Department of Agriculture, Animal Health Program. 
      2. Any other exceptions will be found under the species involved. 
3. Sanitation of Conveyances and Stockyards:
   1. All trucks, railway cars and other conveyances, used for the transportation of livestock and poultry, shall be maintained in a sanitary condition.
   2. Owners and operators of conveyances that have been used for movement of livestock or poultry infected with, or exposed to, an infectious or transmissible disease shall obtain a certificate to be attached to the waybill or in the operator's possession stating that the conveyance and affected enclosures have been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected under official supervision. 
   3. Stockyards and Auctions: No livestock approved for entry into Maryland as free from tuberculosis, brucellosis, or other infectious disease shall be assembled, handled or confined in any public stockyard, livestock auction, sales stable or yard, unless they are properly segregated in thoroughly cleaned disinfected pens to prevent their exposure to infected livestock or premises.  

More information on current regulations 

Animal Health Program, Maryland Department of Agriculture  
Phone: 410-841-5810  
Fax: 410-841-5999  
Email: [email protected]

All Health Certificates for animals going to Washington, DC, should be sent to the following address:  

DC Department of Health
Animal Disease Prevention Division 
825 North Capitol Street, Suite 8001  
Washington, DC 20002  
Phone: 202-535-2323