Federal law does not prohibit the importation of equine meat, but all shipments must come from a USDA FSIS-approved foreign establishment and are subject to reinspection at the US port of entry. Separate state-level restrictions may apply to sale or distribution within certain states.

Equine meat falls under heading 0205, which is dedicated solely to horses, asses, mules, and hinnies. Bovine meat is classified under headings 0201–0202, and swine meat under 0203. The species distinction is the primary classification driver, not the cut or temperature state.