Title 16 — ConservationRelease 119-73

§4911 Exemptions

Title 16 › Chapter CHAPTER 69— - WILD EXOTIC BIRD CONSERVATION › § 4911

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Secretary can allow an exotic bird to be brought into the U.S. even if imports are otherwise banned, limited, or paused, but only if a permit is issued and the import will not harm the species’ survival. Permits are allowed for four reasons: scientific research; as a personal pet for someone returning to the U.S. after being continuously abroad for at least one year (no more than 2 such birds per person per year); zoo breeding or display; or cooperative breeding programs that help conserve the species and are run with approved avicultural, conservation, or zoological groups meeting the Secretary’s standards.

Full Legal Text

Title 16, §4911

Conservation — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

Notwithstanding any prohibition, suspension, or quota under this chapter on the importation of a species of exotic bird, the Secretary may, through the issuance of import permits, authorize the importation of a bird of the species if the Secretary determines that such importation is not detrimental to the survival of the species and the bird is being imported exclusively for any of the following purposes:

(1)Scientific research.

(2)As a personally owned pet of an individual who is returning to the United States after being continuously out of the country for a minimum of one year, except that an individual may not import more than 2 exotic birds under this paragraph in any year.

(3)Zoological breeding or display programs.

(4)Cooperative breeding programs that are—

(A)designed to promote the conservation of the species and maintain the species in the wild by enhancing the propagation and survival of the species; and

(B)developed and administered by, or in conjunction with, an avicultural, conservation, or zoological organization that meets standards developed by the Secretary.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

16 U.S.C. § 4911

Title 16 — Conservation

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73