US Code

Public Law 119-83 (04/13/2026)

7 U.S.C. § 2148

Importation of live dogs

(a)

Definitions

In this section:
(1)

Importer

The term “importer” means any person who, for purposes of resale, transports into the United States puppies from a foreign country.

(2)

Resale

The term “resale” includes any transfer of ownership or control of an imported dog of less than 6 months of age to another person, for more than de minimis consideration.

(b)

Requirements

(1)

In general

Except as provided in paragraph (2), no person shall import a dog into the United States for purposes of resale unless, as determined by the Secretary, the dog—
(A)
is in good health;
(B)
has received all necessary vaccinations; and
(C)
is at least 6 months of age, if imported for resale.
(2)

Exception

(A)

In general

The Secretary, by regulation, shall provide an exception to any requirement under paragraph (1) in any case in which a dog is imported for—
(i)
research purposes; or
(ii)
veterinary treatment.
(B)

Lawful importation into Hawaii

Paragraph (1)(C) shall not apply to the lawful importation of a dog into the State of Hawaii from the British Isles, Australia, Guam, or New Zealand in compliance with the applicable regulations of the State of Hawaii and the other requirements of this section, if the dog is not transported out of the State of Hawaii for purposes of resale at less than 6 months of age.

(c)

Implementation and regulations

The Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Homeland Security shall promulgate such regulations as the Secretaries determine to be necessary to implement and enforce this section.

(d)

Enforcement

An importer that fails to comply with this section shall—
(1)
section 2149 of this title be subject to penalties under ; and
(2)
provide for the care (including appropriate veterinary care), forfeiture, and adoption of each applicable dog, at the expense of the importer.

Pub. L. 89–544, § 18Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14210(a)122 Stat. 1464 Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)122 Stat. 1664 (, as added , , , and , title XIV, § 14210(a), , , 2226.)

Editorial Notes

Codification

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246 and enacted identical sections. was repealed by .

Prior Provisions

Pub. L. 89–544, § 1880 Stat. 352 Pub. L. 91–57984 Stat. 1564 section 2143 of this titleA prior section 2148, , , , prohibited any construction of this chapter which would authorize the Secretary to promulgate rules, regulations, or orders for the handling, care, treatment, or inspection of animals during research or experimentation, prior to repeal by , §§ 19, 23, , , 1565, effective one year after . See .

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4 of Pub. L. 110–246section 8701 of this titleEnactment of this section and repeal of by effective , the date of enactment of , except as otherwise provided, see , set out as a note under .

Pub. L. 110–234, title XIV, § 14210(b)122 Stat. 1464 Pub. L. 110–246, § 4(a)122 Stat. 1664

“The amendment made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] takes effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [].”
, , , and , title XIV, § 14210(b), , , 2226, provided that:

Pub. L. 110–234Pub. L. 110–246Pub. L. 110–234section 4(a) of Pub. L. 110–246section 8701 of this title[ and enacted identical provisions. was repealed by , set out as a note under .]