FW: Importing preserved arthropods

[Michel, Nicole L]

ECOLOG - 

In response to my earlier query and summary posting regarding importing
preserved arthropods, Ellen Paul provided this useful clarification on
USDA/APHIS and USFWS requirements, with specific information on how it
applies to bird products.  I'm passing it along at her request.  Hope
this helps!

Cheers,
Nicole Michel


-Original Message-
From: Ellen Paul [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Wednesday, May 02, 2007 11:12 AM
To: Michel, Nicole L
Subject: Importing preserved arthropods

Nicole -

Would you mind going back on Ecolog-L and adding this info:

APHIS permitting is primarily for importation of live specimens.  When
you enter the USA the US Customs Declaration will ask about products you
are importing and you should check the box that says . wildlife
products.  Then CBP (US Customs) may divert you to USDA/APHIS/Homeland
Security for further questions and inspection.  Someone may also ask you
for copies of your permits and even the 3-177 Declaration, even though
you really do not have to file it then, so get one on line from
http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm 


The Ornithological Council advises that this statement is incorrect with

regard to dead birds and dead manmals. See the Ornithological Council 
import permit guide at http://www.nmnh.si.edu/BIRDNET/PERMITS.html 
(major revision in progress, to include FedEx, DHL, Customs Broker info 
and IATA/DOT info). Permits are needed for ALL bird products (APHIS 
lingo for anything that was once part of a bird) and for ruminants, 
swine, and equids. Permit conditions will vary depending on the disease 
status of the country from which the exports occur and the biosafety 
status of your lab. Treatment of materials, if required, must be with a 
USDA-approved treatment method (the bird treatment methods are listed in

the manual; note that FTA cards have recently been approved). If you 
need/want info on treatment standards for mammals, contact Ellen Paul at

[EMAIL PROTECTED] Note that while technically the USDA does not 
currently regulate any small mammal diseases (where small mammal is 
defined as not swine, not ruminant, not equid), they do require permits

and they will put birds and small mammals on a single permit. In fact, 
the entire permit system is outside the regulatory system, but try 
telling that to a Customs and Border Protection inspector at the port: 
sorry, I don't need a permit because there is no regulation saying that

I need a permit.


Note that CBP *is* part of Department of Homeland Security, and APHIS is

part of USDA. After 9/11, the APHIS agricultural inspectors were 
transferred to CBP. So it is actually CBP Animal Quarantine Inspection 
people you deal with at the ports.

Also note that you DO have to file the 3-177 at the time of import if 
you are importing any regulated wildlife (e.g., stuff covered under the 
Migratory Bird Treaty Act, CITES, ESA...). That 180-day rule applies to 
nonprotected species.and technically applies only to dead, preserved, 
dried, or embedded scientific specimens or parts thereof, imported by 
accredited scientists or accredited scientific institutions for 
taxonomic or systematic research purposes.
We've had discussions with the USFWS about this limitation on the kind 
of research that qualifies for this exemption, and I hope that the next 
time they revise the regs, they will broaden this scope, but for now, 
this is the rule...

**
Nicole Michel
Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
310 Dinwiddie Hall
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118
**

FW: Importing preserved arthropods

[O'Mara, Maureen]

Dear List,

I am sending this response to all in case the information is helpful in
some way for others.  It appears the biggest challenge in importing
preserved specimens is with the airlines and their safety regulations
regarding flammable material.  The other challenge is the permitting
system in Costa Rica.

Mo

-Original Message-
From: Jaronski, Stefan 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 5:17 PM
To: O'Mara, Maureen
Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods

Hi Mo,  Am copying you on my consultant's response to Michel. Ugly ugly 

-Original Message-
From: Furth, David [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 4:54 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Cc: Jaronski, Stefan
Subject: RE: Importing preserved arthropods

First of all for Costa Rica you need to have official Collecting and
Export permits (separate permits) from their government in order to
bring the specimens legally into the USA.  Within 180 days you must file
a 3-177 Declaration with the U.S. Fish  Wildlife Service at your port
of entry.

According to International Air Transport Association (IATA) regulations
you cannot bring 70% ethanol on board airplanes.  The best thing to do
is to drain off the ethanol just before returning and use some other
non-hazardous/non-dangerous fluid like propylene glycol (OK for DNA
work), glycerin, etc.  The other option is to have them shipped in
ethanol by a trained/qualified person at an institution using proper
packaging, sealing the separate containers (not over 30ml each), and not
over 0.5 liters per package, properly labeled with a red/white Dangerous
Goods label, etc., i.e., also following IATA regulations.

APHIS permitting is primarily for importation of live specimens.  When
you enter the USA the US Customs Declaration will ask about products you
are importing and you should check the box that says . wildlife
products.  Then CBP (US Customs) may divert you to USDA/APHIS/Homeland
Security for further questions and inspection.  Someone may also ask you
for copies of your permits and even the 3-177 Declaration, even though
you really do not have to file it then, so get one on line from
http://www.fws.gov/le/ImpExp/faqs.htm 

I hope this answers your questions.  Feel free to send this to the ESA
listserve, if you think it will be helpful.

**
David G. Furth, Ph.D.
Department of Entomology
MRC 165, P.O. Box 37012
National Museum of Natural History
Smithsonian Institution
Washington, D. C. 20013-7012  USA
Phone: 202-633-0990
Fax: 202-786-2894
Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website: www.entomology.si.edu 

-Original Message-
From: Jaronski, Stefan [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 4:50 PM
To: Furth, David
Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods

David, One of our folks just got this in. I thought you might be able to
quickly and accurately answer Michel's question

Stefan

-Original Message-
From: O'Mara, Maureen 
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 2:46 PM
To: Jaronski, Stefan
Subject: FW: Importing preserved arthropods

Hi Stefan,

This came across Ecological Soc. Of A. listserve.  Thought you might
know the answer to this since you deal with APHIS so much!  Maybe even a
suggestion on who or what department to contact?

Mo

-Original Message-
From: Ecological Society of America: grants, jobs, news
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Michel, Nicole L
Sent: Monday, April 23, 2007 2:30 PM
To: ECOLOG-L@LISTSERV.UMD.EDU
Subject: Importing preserved arthropods

Hi ECOLOG'ers and NEOORN'ers,

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Apologies for cross-posting!

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I have a question regarding USDA-APHIS import permit requirements.  I
will be collecting leaf-litter arthropods (spiders, beetles, ants,
millipedes, etc.) in Costa Rica and need to bring preserved (in 70%
ethanol) specimens back to the States.  I've checked the USDA's website
and have contacted numerous people in numerous offices and still haven't
yet been able to determine whether or not arthropods count as an
animal under their definitions. =20

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Does anyone out there have experience with bringing preserved arthropods
back from Central America?  I also have heard that there are strict
restrictions on the amounts of ethanol in checked bags, but haven't yet
been able to find out what those restrictions are.

=20

Thanks for your assistance!

=20

Cheers,

Nicole Michel

=20

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**
Nicole Michel
Dept. of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
310 Dinwiddie Hall
Tulane University
New Orleans, LA 70118

**

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