Transporting large parrot (macaw) to STX

U.S. Virgin Islands - * Whenever the laws and regulations concerning the movements and health of birds into the Virgin Islands are more restrictive than the laws and regulations of the Federal Government, the laws and regulations of the Virgin Islands shall apply in addition to those of the Federal Government. No birds that are affected with or have been exposed to an infectious, contagious, communicable disease, or ectoparasites or which originated in an area quarantined by a territory, State, or the Federal Government because of such disease or parasites shall be permitted to be introduced into the Virgin Islands except with a permit issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands. All applications for a permit must be directed to the Office of the Director of Veterinary Medicine Estate Lower Love Kingshill. St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850. All livestock, poultry, birds, and other animals entering the Virgin Islands under permit shall be consigned to an individual who is a resident of the Virgin Islands or to a legal entity authorized by law to do business with the Virgin Islands. The consignee shall hold the animals upon arrival until all the provisions of the permit have been met. All permits shall be void 2 months after issuance. All birds entering the Virgin Islands shall upon arrival remain in the custody of the carrier pending an inspection and release by an authorized veterinarian or a designated agent of the Department of Agriculture of the Virgin Islands. All birds must have upon entering the Virgin Islands, an official health certificate. Such certificate shall be approved by the chief livestock sanitary officials, State Veterinarian, or Federal Veterinarian of the State of origin. Such approval shall be indicated by his or her personal signature which shall mean the animal(s) meet the Virgin Islands requirements. A copy of this health certificate must be sent to the Director of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Agriculture, Estate Lower Love, Kingshill, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands 00850. This certificate shall become void 30 days after issuance. Any birds upon entering the Virgin Islands is subject to immediate quarantine, test, or treatment as directed by the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture. Any birds that enter the Virgin Islands which are found to be affected, a carrier of or been recently exposed to any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease, shall be returned to its point of origin or destroyed and disposed of as directed by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture or his authorized representative, at the expense of the owner or importer. The Government of the Virgin Islands in no shall render any compensation for any animals so destroyed. All psittacine birds must a have a prior permit, issued by the Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture, upon entry into the Virgin Islands. The birds must also be accompanied by an official health certificate stating that the birds are free from an infectious or contagious disease and did not originate from a quarantined area for any infectious or contagious disease of the species.

http://www.internationalparrotletsociety.org/stateimportregs.html

and

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/animal_import/downloads/vi.html

Have you tested your macaws for psittacosis? I think they can't come in if they test positive for antibodies to it.

If you want info from someone with large parrots on STX, PM me. I have a friend with a few that have been here for years.

USFW on island administrates import of birds to VI. All birds have to have health certificate from licensed vet within X days of entry. American Airlines doesn't haul birds, so we had to take Delta. Contact the airline for rules and what type of carriers they allow. Beware that most airlines won't fly pets when the forecasted high temperature is going to exceed 85F on any portion of your journey. Here's some contacts for you:

Lynelle Dowe - Fisheries Biologist / Division of Fish and Wildlife - Work: 340-775-6762x109
E-Mail: dfw.permits@gmail.com / 6291 Estate Nazareth / St.Thomas, VI 00802
Note: Lady who processed bird imports for STX
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William Coles / US Fish & Wildlife STX / Work: 340-713-2422 / E-Mail: wcoles@vitelcom.net
Note: Send him e-mail when arriving with birds
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When I came with my 5 birds, I sent in all paperwork and waited, and waited, and waited. After multiple phone calls I received my permits. When I showed up with birds, there wasn't even anyone at airport from fish & wild life.

Good luck!
Fred

Thanks everyone for all the good info!