For international travel, the destination country sets the horse entry requirements. Every country is unique in their requirements, but they all require the U.S. Department of Agriculture to endorse health documents completed by a private practitioner. It is important to plan ahead for the international movement of horses, as some countries have requirements such as isolation under USDA supervision for 30 days prior to export or vaccinations to be completed three months prior to export date. Timing is critical for ensuring entry into the destination country.

When importing horses into the United States, the requirements for entry are typically based on the disease status of the country the horse has resided in for the past 90 days. Importation requirements also depend on the purpose of entry (competition, breeding, sale, or U.S.-based returning horses) and the anticipated length of stay (“temporary” stays are less than 90 days, while “permanent” stays are longer than 90 days). Horses arriving by plane undergo import quarantine and testing requirements at one of the permanent international ports, including LA Port Office (CA), Miami Ports (FL), Chicago Port (IL), Kentucky Import Center (KY), or New York Ports (NY). The length of stay is dependent upon the disease status of their origin country; most require three-day quarantines, though horses coming from a country with Venezuelan encephalitis or Screwworm require a week-long quarantine. Horses coming from countries that see African Horse Sickness require a 60 day quarantine.

For release from import quarantine, all imported horses must test negative for Equine Infectious Anemia, Equine Piroplasmosis, Dourine, and Glanders and be clinically healthy upon examination. Horses who originate from a Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) affected country must undergo CEM testing subsequent to the import quarantine unless they are granted a waiver for competition by USDA. Experienced brokers can assist horse owners and veterinarians in determining and meeting the requirements for importation and exportation of horses.

Horses imported into the United States are unlikely to be vaccinated for local and regional diseases prior to importation. Horses do NOT get vaccinated while in USDA import quarantine and should be evaluated and appropriately vaccinated by a veterinarian upon release. All horses residing in the United States should be vaccinated against Eastern and Western Encephalomyelitis, West Nile Virus, tetanus, and rabies.