State Regulations for the Virgin Islands

For More Information Please Contact:

Director of Veterinary Services
Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture
10345 Grove Place, Kingshill USVI 00850

General Requirements

Whenever the laws and regulations concerning the movements and health of livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals into the Virgin Islands are more restrictive than the laws and regulations of the Federal Government, the laws and regulations of the Virgin Islands shall apply in addition to those of the Federal Government.

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. Dogs and cats do not need an import permit.

Applications for a permit can be obtained here:

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

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.

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.

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.

Any livestock, poultry, birds, or other animals that enter the Virgin Islands which is found to be affected, a carrier of or been 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.

All animals that enter into the Virgin Islands 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.

Domestic Imports

Health Certificates

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.).

A copy of this health certificate must be sent to the Director of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture, 10345 Grove Place, Kingshill, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850. This certificate shall become void 30 days after issuance.

Endorsement of health certificate by USDA is not necessary.

Visiting the USVI with a dog or cat?

All dogs and/or cats domestically entering the US Virgin Islands shall be accompanied by an official health certificate from your local veterinarian stating that the animal did not originate from an area quarantined for rabies.

All dogs and/or cats are required to have been vaccinated within 12 months prior to shipment except those dogs and/or cats that are less than twelve (12) weeks of age.

The certificate of vaccination for rabies must be attached to the official health certificate.

All dogs and/or cats internationally entering the US Virgin Islands are subject to Federal Import Regulations.

For more information, please click here.

International Imports

Foreign Animal Imports

All animals entering the US Virgin Islands, that originate from outside of the United States, are subject to federal import regulations and inspection from the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. For more information please visit: aphis.usda.gov.

Get in touch with us!

Connect with us in our VIDA offices on St. Croix, St. John, or St. Thomas. Or, send us an email using the button below.

(340) 774-5182
info.doa@doa.vi.gov