---
kind: "section"
citation: "50 C.F.R. § 14.52"
title: "50"
number: "14.52"
heading: "Clearance of imported wildlife."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/50/14.52"
---

# §14.52. Clearance of imported wildlife.

- (a) Except as otherwise provided by this subpart, a Service officer must clear all wildlife imported into the United States prior to release from detention by Customs officers. A Service officer must clear all wildlife to be exported from the United States prior to the physical loading of the merchandise on a vehicle or aircraft, or the containerization or palletizing of such merchandise for export, unless a Service officer expressly authorizes otherwise. Such clearance does not constitute a certification of the legality of an importation or exportation under the laws or regulations of the United States.
- (b) An importer/exporter or his/her agent may obtain clearance by a Service officer only at designated ports ([§ 14.12](/cfr/50/14.12.md)), at border ports ([§ 14.16](/cfr/50/14.16.md)), at special ports ([§ 14.19](/cfr/50/14.19.md)), or at a port where importation or exportation is authorized by a permit issued under [subpart C](/cfr/50/subpartC.md) of this part. An importer/exporter must return forthwith any wildlife released without a Service officer's clearance or clearance by Customs for the Service under authority of [§ 14.54](/cfr/50/14.54.md) to a port where clearance may be obtained pursuant to this subpart.
- (c) To obtain clearance, the importer, exporter, or the importer's or exporter's agent will make available to a Service officer or a Customs officer acting under [§ 14.54](/cfr/50/14.54.md):
  - (1) All shipping documents (including bills of lading, waybills and packing lists or invoices);
  - (2) All permits, licenses or other documents required by the laws or regulations of the United States;
  - (3) All permits or other documents required by the laws or regulations of any foreign country;
  - (4) The wildlife being imported or exported; and
  - (5) **Any documents and permits required by the country of export or re-export for the wildlife.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[45 FR 56673, Aug. 25, 1980; 45 FR 64953, Oct. 1, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 52889, Dec. 26, 1985; 61 FR 31869, June 21, 1996]

### Authority

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 668, 704, 712, 1382, 1538(d)-(f), 1540(f), 3371-3378, 4223-4244, and 4901-4916; 18 U.S.C. 42; 31 U.S.C. 9701; Pub. L. 115-334, 132 Stat. 4490.

### Source

Source: 45 FR 56673, Aug. 25, 1980, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[45 FR 56673, Aug. 25, 1980; 45 FR 64953, Oct. 1, 1980, as amended at 50 FR 52889, Dec. 26, 1985; 61 FR 31869, June 21, 1996]