[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 42, Volume 1]
[Revised as of October 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 42CFR71.52]

[Page 432]
 
                         TITLE 42--PUBLIC HEALTH
 
    CHAPTER I--PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN 
                                SERVICES
 
PART 71--FOREIGN QUARANTINE--Table of Contents
 
                         Subpart F--Importations
 
Sec. 71.52  Turtles, tortoises, and terrapins.

    (a) Definitions.
    As used in this section the term:
    Turtles includes all animals commonly known as turtles, tortoises, 
terrapins, and all other animals of the order Testudinata, class 
Reptilia, except marine species (Families Dermochelidae and 
Cheloniidae).
    (b) Importation; general prohibition. Except as otherwise provided 
in this section, live turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 
inches and viable turtle eggs may not be imported into the United 
States.
    (c) Exceptions. (1) Live turtles with a carapace length of less than 
4 inches and viable turtle eggs may be imported into the United States, 
provided that such importation is not in connection with a business, and 
the importation is limited to lots of fewer than seven live turtles or 
fewer than seven viable turtle eggs, or any combinations of such turtles 
and turtle eggs totaling fewer than seven, for any entry.
    (2) Seven or more live turtles with a carapace length of less than 4 
inches, or seven or more viable turtle eggs or any combination of 
turtles and turtle eggs totaling seven or more, may be imported into the 
United States for bona fide scientific or educational purposes or for 
exhibition when accompanied by a permit issued by the Director.
    (3) The requirements in paragraphs (c)(1) and (c)(2) of this section 
shall not apply to the eggs of marine turtles excluded from these 
regulations under Sec. 71.52(a).
    (d) Application for permits. Applications for permits to import 
turtles, as set forth in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, shall be made 
by letter to the Director, and shall contain, identify, or describe, the 
name and address of the applicant, the number of specimens, and the 
common and scientific names of each species to be imported, the holding 
facilities, the intended use of the turtles following their importation, 
the precautions to be undertaken to prevent infection of members of the 
public with Salmonella and Arizona bacteria, and any other information 
and assurances the Director may require.
    (e) Criteria for issuance of permits. A permit may be issued upon a 
determination that the holder of the permit will isolate or otherwise 
confine the turtles and will take such other precautions as may be 
determined by the Director to be necessary to prevent infection of 
members of the public with Salmonella and Arizona bacteria and on 
condition that the holder of the permit will provide such reports as the 
Director may require.
    (f) Interstate Regulations. Upon admission at a U.S. Port, turtles 
and viable turtle eggs become subject to Food and Drug Administration 
Regulations (21 CFR 1240.62) regarding general prohibition.
    (g) Other permits. Permits to import certain species of turtles may 
be required under other Federal regulations (50 CFR parts 17 and 23) 
protecting such species.

(Approved by the Office of Management and Budget under control number 
0920-0134)