USDA APHIS maintains regionalization determinations that define which countries or zones are considered free of specific diseases such as foot-and-mouth disease or African swine fever. An outbreak can trigger an immediate suspension of live animal imports from the affected region. Importers should subscribe to APHIS alerts and build contingency sourcing plans to manage this regulatory risk.

USDA APHIS governs the importation of live animals, enforcing quarantine, health certificates, and disease-status requirements at the border. USDA FSIS takes over for products derived from slaughtered animals — meat, poultry, and egg products — requiring that shipments originate from FSIS-approved foreign establishments and undergo reinspection at US ports of entry. The two agencies operate distinct approval and inspection systems.