Uncle Sam Regulates Tortoise Road Trips: Bureaucracy Meets Slowpokes
Published Date: 1/23/2026
Notice
Summary
The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wants to keep collecting info about moving certain land tortoises across state lines to help keep them safe and healthy. If you’re involved in moving these tortoises, this means no big changes but you can share your thoughts by March 24, 2026. This process won’t cost extra but helps protect tortoises and keep paperwork clear.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Tortoise Interstate Move Certificate Rule
If you move leopard tortoises, African spurred tortoises, or Bell's hingeback tortoises across state lines, the animals must be accompanied by a health certificate (certificate of veterinary inspection). The certificate must be signed by a Federal or accredited veterinarian and must state the tortoises were examined and found free of ticks within 30 days prior to movement; moves are allowed for sale, health care, adoption, or export only with that certificate.
Paperwork Burden and 3-Year Extension
APHIS is requesting OMB approval (OMB Control Number 0579-0156) to continue this information collection for an additional 3 years. APHIS estimates the public reporting burden averages 1.5 hours per response, with 50 respondents each making 5 responses (250 responses total) and an estimated 375 total annual burden hours.
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Key Dates
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