An elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir shall not be imported into the United States unless accompanied by an import permit issued by APHIS and unless imported into the United States within 30 days after the proposed date of arrival stated in the import permit. The port veterinarian must be notified of the date of arrival at least 72 hours before the animal arrives in the United States.

An application for an import permit may be obtained from the Import-Export Animals Staff, National Center for Import-Export, Veterinary Services, APHIS, 4700 River Road Unit 38, Riverdale, MD 20737-1231 or by visiting http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ animal_health/permits/.

The completed application shall include the following information:

The name and address of the person intending to export an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir to the United States;

The name and address of the person intending to import an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir into the United States;

The species, breed, and number of elephants, hippopotami, rhinoceroses, or tapirs to be imported;

The purpose of the importation;

The port of embarkation;

The name and concentration of the pesticide intended to be used to treat the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir for ectoparasites prior to the animal being transported to the United States;

The mode of transportation;

The route of travel;

The port of entry in the United States and, if applicable, the address of the facility to be provided by the importer for inspection, treatment, and incineration pursuant to § 93.6 of this part;

The proposed date of arrival in the United States; and

The name and address of the person to whom the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir will be delivered in the United States.

After receipt and review of the application by APHIS, an import permit indicating the applicable conditions under this part for importation into the United States shall be issued for the importation of the elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir described in the application if such animal appears to be eligible to be imported. Even though an import permit has been issued for the importation of an elephant, hippopotamus, rhinoceros, or tapir, the animal may be imported only if all applicable requirements of this part are met.