Hello All,
I thought I would post the following  from the entomology listserve site.

As you can see by the following post Aphis has a big job other than simply keeping check on bees. The following post was in response to a question from a researcher in Japan wanting to simply move caged live beetles for a few minutes through a U.S. airport during a plane change.

Sincerely,
Bob Harrison
member entomology list


  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 11:08 PM
  Subject: Re: Permission for transit in the U.S.


  Dear --------,

  yes, you will need a transit permit. Otherwise you risk your insects being destroyed by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) when you land, plus other fines.  I have used transit permits several times in the past 3 years.  I was collecting insects in the Caribbean and Central America and then taking them to our lab in Germany.  Fortunately the laws in the US allow transit permits and at least for us, getting the permit was relatively quick and easy.  I'd plan on a few months if this is the first time you apply.  

  You'll have to contact USDA-APHIS, because they will issue the permits, but they will pass the information along to Customs and Border Protection, who will then take care of everything at your port of entry.  They'll need to know exactly when you will enter the country and when you will leave.  Customs agents will meet you when you get off the plane, look through all of your luggage, your beetles and then escort you to your connecting flight.  Your connecting flight must not land in another US city, it must be a nonstop flight from your port of entry to Japan or other foreign country.  This may be difficult if you are landing in an airport lacking a connection to Japan, Miami, for example.  You should find out if your airline(s) will allow you to transport beetles. The CBP agents will be sure to tell the ticket agents that you are carrying beetles when they escort you to the counter (who'll be curious why you are surrounded by 2-4 armed CBP agents).   I know of some colleagues who have not been allowed to board their plane with their live insects.  Although it can be a huge hassle and you can wait several hours at the airport after you land, the system does work.  As USDA-APHIS advised me once, it's best to avoid the US if you can, but I know this is rarely possible for places along the Caribbean basin. 

  You will also need a statement that the species you collect are not protected species, since CBP is responsible for enforcing laws on illegal trade of rare or endangered species (CITES or Washington Convention).  

  For more information please contact me directly.  

  cheers,



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