Rule 901:1-17-01 | General requirements.
(A) Except upon permission or approval by the chief of the divison of animal health, no person shall transport, import, or in any other way bring any animal into the state of Ohio unless that animal meets the rules of this chapter and all applicable federal laws or is otherwise exempt.
(B) Animals imported in violation of the rules of this chapter shall be quarantined and be brought into compliance with the applicable requirements of these rules at the owner's expense. Pursuant to Chapter 941. of the Revised Code, if the animals cannot or are not, for any reason, brought into compliance the chief may order the animal returned to the place of origin, delivered to slaughter, or destroyed at the owner's expense.
(C) Imported animals shall be healthy and free of symptoms of contagious or infectious diseases and residues. The imported animals shall not have been recently exposed to any contagious or infectious diseases and shall not originate from a herd, flock, or area under quarantine. The chief of the division of animal health may prohibit or restrict entry of animals, animal products, or animal tissues into the state that may be exposed to, infected with, or may otherwise harbor or be contaminated with any dangerously contagious or infectious disease or communicable disease, residue, vector, pest, or agent.
(D) As required by the rules of this chapter, interstate certificates of veterinary inspection, USDA national poultry improvement plan, veterinary service 9-3 forms, permits, and/or permit numbers shall accompany the animal during importation.
(E) A copy of an interstate certificate of veterinary inspection must be forwarded to the "Chief, Division of Animal Health, 8995 E. Main Street, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068" within seven days of issuance.
The certificate shall be void thirty days after inspection and issuance unless specifically waived or extended time is granted by a permit from the chief.
(F) When the purpose of importation is for a sale assembly, the sale management will provide an approved veterinarian to do the following:
(1) Examine the interstate certificate of veterinary inspection of each animal brought to the sale;
(2) Inspect within a reasonable time of arrival each animal brought to the sale for symptoms of any infectious or contagious diseases; and
(3) Daily inspect each animal present at the sale for symptoms of infectious or contagious disease.
(G) Individuals wishing to import animals that do not meet the rules of this chapter may apply to the division of animal health for an entry permit. Requests for permits shall be made via email to animal@agri.ohio.gov, or telephone 614-728-6220. Permit applications shall include the completed interstate certificate of veterinary inspection listing the number and species of animals, identification numbers, the origin and date of shipments, consignor and consignee physical address, the purpose of the importation, age, and sex. All animals entering Ohio under a permit are subject to quarantine and inspection on arrival at destination.
If at any time the conditions of a permit are violated by the holder and endanger the health of other animals in the state of Ohio, the chief may suspend such permit and refuse to issue any future permit.
(H) The chief may require additional testing or declaration statements of the health and disease exposure status of animals being imported into the state.
Last updated September 11, 2026 at 9:14 AM
Supplemental Information