Trade Facilitation Unit - Terrestrial Exotic Animals

The Bahamas currently has conditions to allow the importation of Terrestrial Exotic Animals from various countries. Having conducted an import risk analysis (IRA) that considers quarantine risks that may be associated with the importation to The Bahamas of Terrestrial Exotic Animals from any country, the IRA recommends that the importation of Terrestrial Exotic Animals to The Bahamas could be permitted subject to compliance with Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) measures to manage the quarantine risks of a range of significant diseases to a very low level, in line with WOAH guidelines. The IRA assessed all potential disease agents that may be introduced to The Bahamas via the importation of Terrestrial Exotic Animals and SPS measures. These diseases include Salmonella sp., lice, mites, ticks, hemoparasites, tapeworms and nematodes.

Based on this risk assessment The Bahamas Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority (BAHFSA) has developed conditions of import for Terrestrial Exotic Animals consignments. They are outlined below. All consignments of Terrestrial Exotic Animals must:

1. Meet the import conditions for Terrestrial Exotic Animals in Appendix 1

APPENDIX 1

Conditions for importation of Terrestrial Exotic Animals

1. If a country, zone, or compartment wishes to export:
   1. Terrestrial Exotic Animals,
      
      1. an international veterinary certificate (within forty-eight (48) hours of importation) is required and must attest that the animal(s):
         
         1. has/have been inspected within three (3) days immediately prior to the export date and has/have been found to be healthy and free from any evidence of disease of Tortoises or zoonosis and that, to the best of the knowledge and belief of the Veterinarian examining the animal(s) have not been exposed to any such disease during the preceding sixty (60) days;
            
         2. is/are found to be negative of Salmonella sp. using laboratory testing within no more than three (3) weeks of prior to the date of export;
            
         3. was/were isolated in the Country of Origin for no less than fourteen (14) days prior to the date of export.
            
         4. is/are free from internal parasites including hemoparasites, tapeworms and nematodes;
            
         5. is/are free of external parasites including lice, mites and ticks.
            
         6. was/were born and raised in captivity;
            
         7. has/have an ISO Microchip implanted, the brand, site,
            identification number and date of implantation;
            
      2. BAHFSA Veterinary Services MUST be given seventy-two (72) hours notice prior to the arrival of the animal(s) into The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
         
      3. Any confirmed outbreak of animal disease of significant epidemiological linkage within a seventy-five (75) mile radius of the source address above will immediately invalidate approved Import Permits.
      4. Upon arrival at the first Port of Entry in The Bahamas all documents and animals MUST be inspected and examined by a BAHFSA Veterinary Officer.
         
      5. A copy of ALL documents shall be provided to the BAHFSA Veterinary Services.
         
      6. Incomplete documentation or the finding of a communicable disease or ectoparasites among the animal(s) at the Port of Entry may result in it/them being refused entry into The Bahamas.
         
      7. Any outbreak of any exotic disease of tortoises within a one hundred (100) mile radius of the source-named above in the Country of Export prior to the animal’s shipment/ date of export WILL IMMEDIATELY NULIFY approved Import Permits.
         
      8. The animal(s) MUST be quarantined/isolated away from all other animals for a period of no less than thirty (30) days immediately after arrival in The Commonwealth of The Bahamas.
         
      9. During the mandatory quarantine period BAHFSA’s Veterinary Services will carry out regular animal health inspections and a formal Health Report by the animals’ primary Veterinarian MUST BE submitted to BAHFSA Veterinary Services.
         
      10. Neither the animal(s) nor any of its/their progeny shall be given, sold, leased, traded, rented or otherwise disposed of without prior written permission of BAHFSA’s Veterinary Services.
          
      11. Annual animal health inspections on the animal(s) shall be completed by the Competent Authority for animal health and welfare in The Bahamas with prior notification to the owner. All health records should be made available for the Animal Health Officials at the time of the inspection.
          
      12. If the residential address where the animal(s) is/are housed should change from the date of import the owner must notify BAHFSA’s Veterinary Services (the Competent Authority responsible for animal health in The Bahamas) within no less than one (1) week of the change of address for the animal(s).
          
      13. The owner will adhere to the care for (Species of animal) including but not limited to proper feeding, available and accessible drinking water at all times, proper Veterinary health care and examinations and housing for the animal(s).