Animal Import

• Livestock imports must meet Illinois requirements and comply with Federal interstate regulations. 
• All livestock entering Illinois, and consignments to Illinois auction markets, federally approved markets, and recognized slaughtering establishments shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection and/or entry permit (refer to section on specific species for permit requirements). 
• Certificates and/or entry permits shall at all times during transit be in the possession of the transporter and available for inspection upon demand.
• No animal affected with or exposed to any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease shall be moved into Illinois, except such shipments as are approved by the USDA, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, for interstate movement to recognized slaughtering establishments for immediate slaughter.

• Prior approval of interstate Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is NOT required for shipment into Illinois.
• All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis within the past 30 days must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."
• All livestock (cattle, bison, swine, equine, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, cervids) moving into Illinois shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian, EXCEPT
  • Livestock consigned direct to slaughter
  • Cattle consigned to approved stockyards or federally approved markets.
  • As specifically exempted below

• All animals (cattle, bison, swine, equine, llamas, alpacas, sheep, goats, cervids, poultry) entering Illinois for the purpose of livestock production or exhibition must be accompanied by an entry permit from the Department. 
• Entry Permits are required for shipments going to facilities licensed under the Illinois Animal Welfare Act, other than for fish. 
• An entry permit is not required for equine entering Illinois for single-day trail rides.
• VETERINARIANS - TO OBTAIN AN ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT USE THE ONLINE ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT SYSTEM. Step-by-step instructions for completing an animal import permit can be found HERE. 

APPLICANTS FOR PERMITS SHALL FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION TO THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, BUREAU OF ANIMAL HEALTH AND WELFARE:

Cattle and Bison

Number of cattle and bison entering Illinois and whether they are heifers, cows, bulls or steers; Name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee.

Swine

Number of swine in shipment; name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee; pseudorabies vaccination status of the animals.

Cervidae

Applicants for entry permits for cervidae must complete and submit the Request for Permit To Import Cervidae Form with the additional required documentation.  These materials should be submitted via email or fax (217/558-6033) to the Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare.  Be advised that processing of these requests may take up to 48 hours and no permits will be processed on weekends and holidays.

Poultry and Ratites

Number of birds in shipment; name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee.

Sheep and Goats

Number of sheep or goats in shipment; name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee.

Equine

Number of equine in shipment; name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee or location of show or exhibition.

Llamas or Alpacas

Number of animals in shipment; name and address of consignor; AND name and complete post office assigned mailing address of Illinois consignee.

Note: If you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. Click here to view Livestock Exhibition Requirement.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

Cattle must have an official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) completed and signed by a United States Department of Agriculture accredited veterinarian.

CVIs are valid for 30 days from the date of animal inspection listed on the CVI.

CVIs must include the following:

• Complete name and physical address of origin and destination
• IMPORT PERMIT
  • All cattle entering Illinois for the purpose of livestock production or exhibition must be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department. 
  • VETERINARIANS - TO OBTAIN AN ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT USE THE ONLINE ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT SYSTEM. Step-by-step instructions for completing an animal import permit can be found HERE. 
• Official ID
  • Electronic Identification Device , readable both visually and electronically beginning November 5, 2024
    • All sexually intact cattle over 18 months of age traveling across state lines, except for animals going directly to slaughter.
    •  All male and female cattle of all ages of the dairy breeds, including steers and spayed heifers.
    •  Any cattle of any age used for rodeo, recreation, or exhibition both in Illinois and out of state.
  • Cattle tagged before November 5, 2024
    • Official ID’s accepted: 840 tags, silver ‘brite’ tags, OCV/Bangs tags
•  Brucellosis:  CATTLE, EXCEPT FOR RODEO BULLS, FROM A CLASS FREE STATE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.  IF THEY DO NOT ORIGINATE FROM A CLASS FREE STATE OR ARE RODEO BULLS SEE BELOW FOR REQUIREMENTS:
  • Females under 6 months of age and bulls under 18 months of age: No brucellosis test required.
  • Females 6 months of age and over and males 18 months of age and over accompanied by, and identified on, a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection certifying to one of the following:
    • Cattle originated from a certified brucellosis free herd. Certified herd number and date of herd test shall be shown on certificate.
    • Female cattle officially vaccinated for brucellosis and under 24 months of age for beef breeds and bison and 20 months of age for dairy breeds.
    • Negative to a brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry. Brucellosis test shall have been conducted at a State or Federal laboratory; plate, tube or card test acceptable.
    • All rodeo bulls regardless of age or state of origin must be negative to an official test for brucellosis conducted within 12 months prior to entering Illinois.
• Tuberculosis: CATTLE FROM AN ACCREDITED FREE STATE HAVE NO ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS.  THOSE FROM NON-ACCREDITED FREE STATES INCLUDUING ZONES SEE BELOW. 
  • Certificate of Veterinary Inspection certifying to one of the following:
    • All cattle entering Illinois from non-accredited tuberculosis-free states must originate from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within the past 12 months, and the individual animals must have had one additional negative test within 30 days prior to entry.

There are no Trich testing requirements for cattle being imported into Illinois.

Other Named Diseases - All Classes of Cattle

• Vesicular Stomatitis
  All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."
• Bluetongue
  No cattle infected with or exposed to bluetongue, and no cattle from an area under quarantine because of bluetongue, may be transported or moved into Illinois
• Johne's Disease
  No Johne's disease culture positive animals may be moved into Illinois, except for immediate slaughter or medical treatment.

Dairy and Breeding Cattle

All lactating dairy cattle imported into Illinois are also required to test negative for avian influenza virus test via milk PCR at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory using an NAHLN approved assay.

• The samples must be collected no more than seven (7) days prior to movement.
• Samples are to be collected by an accredited veterinarian (or a state licensed veterinarian) or a sample collector approved by the animal health official in the state of origin.

Cattle for Immediate Slaughter

• Cattle for immediate slaughter accompanied by a consignment certificate and consigned to a recognized slaughtering center may be shipped into Illinois without brucellosis test or official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Such cattle shall not be diverted en route.
• Cattle consigned for slaughter not delivered directly to a recognized slaughtering center may be shipped into Illinois without brucellosis test if they are accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary inspection OR a special entry permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Health and Welfare. Such cattle shall be held in quarantine and slaughtered within 10 days of entry.

Other Movements

• There are no registered quarantined feedlots in Illinois.
• Shipments to public stockyards, recognized slaughtering centers, and Federal approved markets shall be accompanied by a consignment certificate.
• All unvaccinated heifers over 6 months of age, bulls more than 18 months of age originating from Non-Brucellosis Class Free States, areas, or countries moving through an out-of-state auction market or marketing center must be accompanied by an entry permit and official health certificate showing a negative test for brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry.  Official brucellosis calfhood vaccinates do not need to be tested until they are 24 months of age for beef breeds and bison and 20 months of age for dairy breeds.

Note: If you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. Click here to view Livestock Exhibition Requirement.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

• All equine entering Illinois for production, sale, lease, loan, trade, advertised trail ride, event, or exhibition shall be accompanied by a valid Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) that includes name and physical address of both origin and destination, name, breed, sex, and age of each equine included in the shipment and is signed by a United States Department of Agriculture accredited veterinarian of the state of origin.
• CVIs are valid for 30 days from the date of animal inspection listed on the CVI.
• A copy of the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection bearing the approval of the Veterinarian/Animal Health Official of the State of origin shall be filed with the Department within 30 days of issue.

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

•  All equine 12 months of age and older shall be negative to an official test for Equine Infectious Anemia conducted within 12 months prior to entry. CVI must include the negative EIA/Coggins date, name of lab where the EIA test was completed, and the accession number.
• All testing procedures for EIA that are approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are acceptable. The test type shall be noted on the CVI.

IMPORT PERMIT

• All equine entering Illinois for production, sale, lease, loan, trade, advertised trail ride, event, or exhibition shall be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department.                                    
• VETERINARIANS - TO OBTAIN AN ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT, USE THE ONLINE ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT SYSTEM. Step-by-step instructions for completing an animal import permit can be found HERE. 
• An entry permit is not required for equine entering Illinois for non-advertised, private, single day trail rides when the equine are leaving the state within 24 hours of entry.

Vesicular Stomatitis

All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."

Note: If you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. Click here to view Livestock Exhibition Requirement.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI)

1. Swine, except for slaughter channels or those on commuter herd agreements, must have an official interstate certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) completed by a United States Department of Agriculture accredited veterinarian from the state of origin, and include name and physical address of both origin and destination.
2. CVIs are valid for 30 days from the date of animal inspection listed on the CVI.
3. A copy of the CVI must be filed with the Department within 30 days of issue.

CVIs must include the following:

• IMPORT PERMIT

1. All swine entering Illinois must be accompanied by an entry permit from the Department. 
2. VETERINARIANS - TO OBTAIN AN ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT USE THE ONLINE ANIMAL IMPORT PERMIT SYSTEM. Step-by-step instructions for completing an animal import permit can be found HERE. 

• Official ID:

1. Electronic Identification Device, registered Ear Notch, USDA Metal ear tag or breed registry tattoo, Ear tag or site tattoo in the right ear, or slap tattoo on the right shoulder
2. All ear tags or tattoos shall indicate the state of origin of the swine.

• Pseudorabies: All states are currently PRV stage 5 status.  No additional testing is required. 

1. is less, will be tested.

• Brucellosis: All states are currently designated swine brucellosis free.  No additional testing is required.

Vesicular Stomatitis

All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."

Pig Shows/Sales Stage II or III States

"Pig Show/Sales" means events where feeder swine are commingled and sold with the intent of the swine being used for exhibition purposes.

All feeder swine shall be held for a 21 day quarantine after arrival on an owner’s premises.

Feral Swine

Feral swine may enter Illinois for any reason provided they are accompanied by a permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. All feral swine that enter Illinois must be individually identified by an approved, official ear tag and that identification listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. All feral swine must be negative to an official test for pseudorabies and brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry. Pseudorabies retest in 21-60 days post entry or testing a percentage of the swine is required.

Swine consigned for slaughter shall be accompanied by a consignment certificate.

Feeding and Breeding Sheep: Unless consigned to auction markets shall be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection within 30 days prior to entry showing sheep to be free from infectious or communicable diseases and showing individual approved, official identification. Any sheep which show lesions of contagious ecthyma (sore mouth) or club lamb fungus disease (sheep ringworm) shall not be exhibited in the state and must be removed immediately from the exhibition area.

Scrapie

No sheep which are known to be from an infected or source flock and no progeny of sheep known to be from an infected our source flock shall be transported or moved into Illinois except direct to slaughter.

The following statement must be included on the CVI:

"The sheep listed above were not exhibiting clinical signs of scrapie at the time of examination."

Bluetongue

No sheep infected with or exposed to bluetongue, and no sheep from an area under quarantine because of bluetongue, may be transported or moved into Illinois.

Vesicular Stomatitis

All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."

Exhibitions, Fairs and Shows

Exhibition requirements are distributed annually to state animal health officials and are published in the livestock premium books of the Illinois State Fair and county fairs held in Illinois.

Goats entering Illinois for breeding, exhibition or feeding purposes, except goats consigned directly to a livestock auction market, shall be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection showing individual approved identification. The Certificate of Veterinary Inspection shall indicate the goats were examined within 30 days prior to entry and found free of any infectious or communicable disease and that they have not recently been exposed thereto. Any goats which show lesions of contagious ecthyma (sore mouth) or club lamb fungus disease (sheep ringworm) shall not be exhibited in the state and must be removed immediately from the exhibition area.

Scrapie

No goats which are known to be from an infected or source flock and no progeny of goats known to be from an infected our source flock shall be transported or moved into Illinois except direct to slaughter.

The following statement must be included on the CVI:

"The goats listed above were not exhibiting clinical signs of scrapie at the time of examination."

Tuberculosis

Goats entering Illinois for any reason, including exhibition, from states that are not Accredited Bovine Tuberculosis Free must be accompanied by an entry permit and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection indicating the animals originated from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within the past 12 months, and the individual animals entering Illinois are negative to a tuberculin test conducted within 30 days prior to entry.

Vesicular Stomatitis

All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."

Dogs entering Illinois must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issues within 30 days of enter showing the age, sex, breed and description of each animal and provide a complete destination name and address within Illinois.  The animals in the shipment must be free from any visible evidence of disease and cannot originate from an area under rabies quarantine.  All dogs 16 weeks of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies and the date of vaccination and manufacturer information must be included on the CVI.  

If an animal is being transported to an Animal Welfare Licensee in Illinois, the CVI must also include a permit number issued by the Department.  The veterinarian completing the CVI may obtain a permit online at Online Animal Import Permit (also linked at the top of this page).

These regulations do not apply to dogs consigned to hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, or licensed research institutes for research or teaching.

Cats entering Illinois must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issues within 30 days of entry showing the age, sex, breed and description of each animal and provide a complete destination name and address within Illinois.  The animals in the shipment must be free from any visible evidence of disease and cannot originate from an area under rabies quarantine.  All cats 16 weeks of age and older shall be vaccinated against rabies and the date of vaccination and manufacturer information must be included on the CVI.  

If an animal is being transported to an Animal Welfare Licensee in Illinois, the CVI must also include a permit number issued by the Department.  The veterinarian completing the CVI may obtain a permit online at Online Animal Import Permit (also linked at the top of this page).

Note: If you are planning to exhibit an animal of this type, there may be additional rules. Click here to view Livestock Exhibition Requirement.

Poultry and Hatching Eggs

• All shipments of poultry (domesticated fowl including chickens, turkeys, waterfowl, and gamebirds except doves and pigeons) or hatching eggs must be accompanied by a VS form 9-3 or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection stating the pullorum typhoid status of the flock or birds in the shipment and an entry permit issued by the Department.
• All turkeys entering Illinois and not consigned to slaughter must originate from flocks or hatcheries that are officially classified as U.S. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Clean in accordance with the provisions of the National Poultry Improvement Plan or be negative to a test for Mycoplasma gallisepticum within 30 days prior to entry. A permit issued by the Department and VS form 9-3 or a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian within 30 days of entry is also required.
• Turkey hatching eggs shall originate from hatcheries or flocks that are officially classified as U.S. Mycoplasma Gallisepticum Clean.

Psittacine Birds

• All psittacine birds entering Illinois must be accompanied by an entry permit and an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

Ratites (Ostriches, Emus, Rheas, Cassowaries and Kiwis)

• All ratites must be negative to a test for Avian influenza within 10 days prior to importation.
• All ratites must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued within 30 days by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin or a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture indicating that the ratites are free from visible evidence of any contagious, infectious, or communicable disease or exposure thereto;
• Be permanently identified by means of a leg band, wing band, neckband, or microchip; and
• Be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department. The veterinarian completing the CVI may obtain a permit online at Online Animal Import Permit. 
• Ratites imported into Illinois must be kept isolated from other ratites or poultry on the premises for a minimum of 14 days.

Pigeons, Doves

• No entry requirements

Brucellosis

Bison (except calves under 6 months of age, and steers and spayed heifers) may enter Illinois if consigned direct for immediate slaughter to an approved slaughtering establishment and accompanied by a consignment certificate, or if accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection indicating the bison:

1. Originated from a certified brucellosis free herd with the certified herd number and date of the test shown on the certificate; or

2. Are official female brucellosis vaccinates under 24 months of age; or

3. Were negative to a brucellosis test within 30 days prior to importation.

Illinois does not recognize state status for bison for brucellosis.

Bison for Immediate Slaughter

A. Bison for slaughter accompanied by a consignment certificate and consigned to a recognized slaughtering center may be shipped into Illinois without brucellosis test or Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Such bison shall not be diverted en route.

B. Bison consigned for slaughter not delivered directly to a recognized slaughtering center may be shipped into Illinois without brucellosis test if they are accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection OR a special entry permit issued by the Bureau of Animal Health. Such bison shall be held in quarantine and slaughtered within 10 days of entry.

Other Movements

All unvaccinated female bison 6 months of age and older or bulls 18 months of age and older moving through an out of state auction market or marketing center must be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection showing a negative test for brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry, regardless of state or herd status. Official brucellosis calfhood vaccinates do not need to be tested until they are 24 months of age.

Tuberculosis

Bison entering Illinois for any reason other than slaughter and including exhibition must:

1. If originating from an accredited free state, be from an accredited tuberculosis free herd, or the individual animal entering Illinois must have had an individual test within 30 days prior to entry; or

2. If originating from a non-accredited free state, be from a herd where a complete negative herd test has been conducted within the past 12 months, and the individual animals must have had two negative tests within 180 and 30 days prior to entry.

Calves under 6 months of age and steers and spayed heifers may enter Illinois when accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection, or consigned for immediate slaughter to an approved slaughtering establishment accompanied by a consignment certificate.

Bluetongue

No bison infected with or exposed to bluetongue, and no bison from an area under quarantine because of bluetongue, may be transported or moved into Illinois.

Vesicular Stomatitis

All veterinarians issuing Certificates of Veterinary Inspection for livestock including equine, bovine, porcine, caprine, ovine, and cervidae transported into Illinois from any state with a confirmed diagnosis of vesicular stomatitis must include the following statement on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection: "Vesicular stomatitis has not been diagnosed on the premises of origin within the past thirty days. I have examined the premises of origin and have found no signs of vesicular stomatitis."

Exhibition, Fairs and Shows

Exhibition requirements are distributed annually to state animal health officials and are published in the livestock premium books of the Illinois State Fair and county fairs in Illinois.

All llamas and alpacas entering Illinois must be accompanied by an entry permit issued by the Department and a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian issued within 30 days of entry.

All movement of cervids, other than direct to slaughter, shall be accompanied by a permit, which can be applied for at Request for Permit To Import Cervidae Form, and a certificate of veterinary inspection completed by an accredited veterinarian.  In addition, the following requirements must be met.  Please note that import permit applications will not be processed on weekends, overnight or holidays.  Import processing may take up to 72 hours. 

• Identification: All Cervidae entering Illinois, other than direct to slaughter, must have two forms of official identification listed.  One must be an approved USDA official identifier.  The second tag may be a herd tag or other identifier.  These should both be listed on the CVI.

• Chronic Wasting Disease
  • All CWD susceptible species, including reindeer, must originated from a CWD certified herd. 
    1. Proof of enrollment must be provided with the import permit application
  • No Cervidae may enter the state if they originate from a CWD endemic area, which is defined as the area contained within a 15 mile radius from any location where CWD has been diagnosed in the past 5 years.
    1. This should be noted on the CVI.

• Tuberculosis Requirements:
  • Accredited Bovine TB Free State       
    1. Accredited Herd: No additional testing required, unless you arise from a non-accredited free state. 
    2. Qualified Herd: one negative test within 90 days of movement.
    3. All other herds: two negative tests no less than 90 days apart with the last test being within 90 days of movement.
  • Non-Accredited Bovine TB Free State
    1. Animals arising from a non-accredited free state must have a complete whole herd test within preceding 12 months and two individual tests within 180 and 30 days from movement. 
  • Proof of herd status must be provided with import permit application.

• Brucellosis Requirements:
  • Elk
    1. Brucellosis Certified herd:  No additional testing
       1. Provide proof of status with import permit application
    2. Non-Certified Herd:
       1. All animals 6 months of age and older must be negative on an approved test within 60 days prior to movement
  • All other Cervidae: recommendation of intact animals over 6 months of age negative test within 60 days of movement

• All Cervidae must be in compliance with Illinois Wildlife Code.

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources regulates aquaculture activities in Illinois.  The associated regulations can be accessed at Aquaculture, Transportation, Stocking, Importation and/or Possession of Aquatic Life.

No entry requirements.

For zoo animals, an entry permit and official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection is required insofar as the Illinois Department of Agriculture is concerned. No person may import, carry into, or possess in this state any species of wildlife taken outside of Illinois for the purpose of releasing such wildlife in Illinois without obtaining permission to do so from the director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. No person shall release, or propagate for release, any Nutria, Myocastor coypus, in this state at any time.​ No person shall import, release, hold, possess or engage in raising San Juan (sometimes called European) rabbits or finnraccoons (sometimes called raccoon dogs) (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in Illinois.

"Exotic or non-domesticated animals" means mammals (including non-human primates), reptiles and birds that are not native to North America and are not normally maintained livestock (llamas, ratites, cervids and similar animals are considered livestock under this definition) or native mammals that are not domesticated and normally maintained as pets. Not included in this definition are hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils or any member of the species felis catus that have been domesticated or canis familiaris.

All exotic or non-domestic animals entering Illinois must be accompanied by official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian of the state of origin or by a veterinarian in the employ of the United States Department of Agriculture or by a licensed veterinarian of the country of origin stating the number of animals and species, and when applicable, age and sex of the animals entering Illinois; be approved by the Animal Health official of the state or country of origin; show that the animals are free from visible evidence of contagious, infectious or communicable diseases; and show the state or country of origin.

If an animal is being transported to an Animal Welfare Licensee in Illinois, the CVI must also include a permit number issued by the Department.  The veterinarian completing the CVI may obtain a permit online at Online Animal Import Permit (also linked at the top of this page).