02 NCAC 52B .0212          IMPORTATION REQUIREMENTS: WILD ANIMALS

(a)  A person shall obtain a permit from the State Veterinarian before importing any of the following animals into this State:

(1)           Skunk;

(2)           Fox;

(3)           Raccoon;

(4)           Ringtail;

(5)           North and South American felines;

(6)           Marten;

(7)           Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula).

(b)  Permits for the importation into this State of any of the animals listed in Paragraph (a) of this Rule shall be issued only if the animal(s) will be used in a research institute, or for exhibition by a USDA licensed exhibitor, or organized entertainment as in zoos or circuses.

(c)  Nothing in the permit requirements for the importation of wild animals, as defined by G.S. 113-129 and as set forth in this Subchapter, shall excuse or exempt the applicant from compliance with applicable North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission rules in 15A NCAC 10B .0100 or 15A NCAC 10H .1400.

(d)  Camelids, bison, and other bovidae other than domestic cattle may be imported into the State if accompanied by an official health certificate issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian, as defined in 02 NCAC 52B .0401, which states that:

(1)           all animals six months of age or older have tested negative for brucellosis within 30 days prior to importation; and

(2)           all animals six months of age or older have tested negative for tuberculosis within 60 days prior to importation; and

(3)           the herd of origin has had no brucellosis or tuberculosis diagnosed within the past 12 months.

(e)  Additionally, all bison and other bovidae other than domestic cattle may be imported into the State only if officially identified in accordance with 9 CFR 86.1, which shall be incorporated by reference, including any subsequent amendments and editions, and can be obtained free of cost at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID&node=pt9.1.86&rgn=div5#se9.1.86_11. The requirements of this Paragraph shall not apply to camelids, llamas, vicunas, alpacas, and guanacos from other states that are tuberculosis Accredited-Free and brucellosis Certified-Free, when accompanied by an official health certificate.

(f)  Any species or hybrid of a mammal not otherwise covered in the Administrative Code must be accompanied by a valid certificate of veterinary inspection.

(g)  Imported elephants shall be accompanied by an official health certificate issued by a licensed, accredited veterinarian for the duration of the certificate in North Carolina, as defined in 02 NCAC 52B .0401, which states that "all animals have tested negative for tuberculosis within 365 days prior to importation."

History Note:        Authority G.S. 106‑317; 106‑400;

Eff. April 1, 1984;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1998; February 1, 1996; May 1, 1992;

Temporary Amendment Eff. February 18, 2002;

Temporary Amendment Expired August 1, 2002 (See Rule .0213);

Amended Eff. August 1, 2002;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. March 26, 2017;

Amended Eff. December 1, 2022.