All captive cage birds (e.g. parrots, budgerigars, lovebirds, finches, toucans, etc.,) for importation to the Cayman Islands are subject to the requirements for entry as mentioned under General Information. Birds are prohibited from the regions and countries mentioned under Prohibitions. Health certificates for birds must be issued within 14 days of arrival into the Cayman Islands and it must be endorsed by a full time salaried veterinary officer of the national government of the country of export, and it must state the following:

1. that the bird(s) covered by the health certificate were inspected and no evidence of Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, Psittacosis (Avian Chlamydiosis), West Nile Virus or other communicable disease of poultry was found among the birds, and as far as has been possible to determined, they were not exposed to any such disease during the 90 days immediately preceding their exportation;
2. That there has been no outbreak of Newcastle Disease, Avian Influenza, Psittacosis (Avian Chlamydiosis), West Nile Virus, Equine Encephalomyelitis or any contagious disease of poultry in the past six (6) months within a 50-Ian (30-mile) radius of the place of residence of the birds; OR
3. That the birds have been kept in vector proof quarantine conditions, either at approved government quarantine stations or at a location determined adequate by the government of the country of export. That they were under veterinary supervision for a period of not less than 30 days immediately prior to export to the Cayman Islands and during which time there has been no sign of disease, and they have been screened for Newcastle Disease, Equine Encephalomyelitis or West Nile Virus, with negative results, as appropriate depending on disease(s) present in the area, and have undergone treatment with chlortetracycline or other approved treatment for Chlamydiosis;
4. That such birds were NOT vaccinated with Newcastle Disease vaccine;
5. A full description of the bird(s) including identification leg bands or microchips must be recorded on the health certificate.
   • The birds must be placed into clean new containers at the premises from which they are to be exported, and must be transported directly to the port of export and must not come into contact with any other cage birds or poultry during this period.
   • Should the exporting country be unable to meet all the certification requirements listed above, a signed letter from the veterinary authorities of the exporting country outlining which conditions cannot be met and the reasons why should accompany the application and health certificate. The Chief Agricultural and Veterinary Officer may, at his discretion, then issue an import permit and impose additional conditions, either in the exporting country or upon arrival of the birds in the Cayman Islands.
   • In order to obtain an Import Permit for the bird(s), a completed application form with a copy of the health certificate, and CITES document if required, must be submitted with the processing fee to the Veterinary Services of Cayman Islands Department of Agriculture for review and processing. The application and other documents may be submitted by fax and the fees may be sent by post or courier.
   • The fee(s) may be paid in the form of a bank draft or international money order, payable to the Cayman Islands Government. The fee for species requiring a CITES certificate is CI$50.00 (US$61.00) for any other species CI$5.00 (US$6.10).
   • Once all the conditions have been met and the appropriate fees paid as outlined above, the import permit will be issued. Allow 3 working days for processing of the documents.
   • A copy of the import permit and the ORIGINAL health and CITES documents must be affixed to the container in which the birds are being transported.
   • At least 24-hours’ notice of arrival must be given to the Veterinary Services section of the Department of Agriculture.