Shipping Birds by Air

Shipping birds by air is the most common method that breeders choose to transport animals to new owners. However, the web of fees, permits and regulations makes the job best suited for experienced shippers. To ensure a successful transaction, shippers must comply with the airline's rules, as well as additional regulations from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

  1. Basic Guidelines

    • Birds are most commonly shipped as airline cargo in a hard plastic kennel cab. The cab must carry a label indicating the shipper's and receiver's names and addresses, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection guidelines. All containers must also carry an invoice specifying the number of animal species being shipped. A health certificate is usually required, too. Some airlines also only allow "known shippers" to use cargo service, according to The Parrotlet Ranch website. The term refers to shippers who have been investigated and who have cleared security requirements.

    Cargo Or Counter?

    • Air cargo or counter-to-counter services are the two main shipping options. Air cargo service is cheaper, and there are no limits on the number of containers, according to The Parrolet Ranch website. However, birds shipped this way may spend hours in a warehouse or airplane cargo hold until takeoff. Counter-to-counter service allows shippers to make pickups and dropoffs at a central point, which is usually an air cargo center. Shippers using this option know their bird is the last item hand-carried onto the plane, and the first one taken off.

    International Shipping

    • Exporting or importing birds, and other wild animals, requires clearance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Birds protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species need travel permits to go from one country to another, CBP's guidelines state. All shipments must go through specially designated ports in 18 major U.S. cities, according to FWS guidelines posted in December 2010. In most cases, the shipper must get an FWS license, pay a user fee and declare shipments on a special form.

    Postal Regulations

    • Live birds are generally considered non-mailable by the U.S. Postal Service, according to Section 525.1 of Publication 52, "Hazardous, Restricted and Perishable Materials." The only exceptions to this policy are made for day-old, live poultry, which are spelled out under Section 526.31. Examples on the agency's list include canaries, cockatiels, finches, parakeets and parrots. Owners trying to mail such birds may face fines and imprisonment.

    USDA Regulations

    • Shipments of pet birds not intended for resale fall under U.S. Department of Agriculture regulations. Owners must present birds for a USDA veterinarian's inspection at designated entry ports in Los Angeles, Miami or New York, according to guidelines issued in October 2011. Other key requirements include a USDA import permit and a current veterinary health certificate. If the bird originates from a country banned from importing live avian species, the animal must be quarantined for 30 days.