State NPIP requirements: what you need to ship and receive poultry by state
12 minute read · published 2026-05-02
Every interstate shipment of live poultry or hatching eggs falls under state-of-destination rules. Most require NPIP "U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean" status at minimum; many require additional testing (Mycoplasma, Avian Influenza); a few require pre-shipment notification or import permits. This page summarizes what each state asks for. Confirm with your state vet before any shipment - rules change.
The baseline: NPIP U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean
Nearly every state requires birds and hatching eggs to come from an NPIP-certified Pullorum-Typhoid Clean flock. The NPIP certificate number (formatted XX-NNN, e.g. 31-554) goes on the shipping documentation. This baseline is universal except for direct-to-state-fair transit and a few rural exceptions.
State-by-state quick reference
| Alabama (AL) | NPIP + 30-day pre-shipment notification for game birds. AI-Monitored recommended. |
| Alaska (AK) | Restricted. Permit required. Hatching eggs only via designated channels. |
| Arizona (AZ) | NPIP + CVI (certificate of veterinary inspection) within 30 days. |
| Arkansas (AR) | NPIP. AI-monitored required for game birds. |
| California (CA) | NPIP + AI-monitored + CVI. Pre-shipment notification to CDFA for some species. |
| Colorado (CO) | NPIP. CVI for adult birds. |
| Connecticut (CT) | NPIP + AI-clean flock declaration. |
| Delaware (DE) | NPIP + CVI. |
| Florida (FL) | NPIP. Game-bird permits required for hunt preserves. |
| Georgia (GA) | NPIP. AI-monitored encouraged. State vet pre-notification for adult game birds. |
| Hawaii (HI) | Restricted. Permit + multi-week quarantine + biosecurity inspections. Live birds rarely shipped here; hatching eggs case-by-case. |
| Idaho (ID) | NPIP + CVI. |
| Illinois (IL) | NPIP. AI-monitored for backyard flock declarations. |
| Indiana (IN) | NPIP + CVI for adult birds. |
| Iowa (IA) | NPIP. AI-clean required during fall migration window. |
| Kansas (KS) | NPIP. |
| Kentucky (KY) | NPIP. |
| Louisiana (LA) | NPIP + CVI within 30 days. |
| Maine (ME) | NPIP. |
| Maryland (MD) | NPIP. AI-monitored encouraged. |
| Massachusetts (MA) | NPIP + AI-clean for any adult birds. |
| Michigan (MI) | NPIP + CVI. |
| Minnesota (MN) | NPIP + AI-clean during migration. State vet pre-notification for adults. |
| Mississippi (MS) | NPIP. |
| Missouri (MO) | NPIP. |
| Montana (MT) | NPIP + CVI within 30 days. |
| Nebraska (NE) | NPIP. |
| Nevada (NV) | NPIP + CVI. |
| New Hampshire (NH) | NPIP. AI-monitored encouraged. |
| New Jersey (NJ) | NPIP + AI-monitored. |
| New Mexico (NM) | NPIP + CVI. |
| New York (NY) | NPIP + AI-monitored + import permit for any shipment of adult birds. Day-olds via NPIP only. |
| North Carolina (NC) | NPIP. |
| North Dakota (ND) | NPIP. |
| Ohio (OH) | NPIP. Mg-Ms clean for game birds. |
| Oklahoma (OK) | NPIP. |
| Oregon (OR) | NPIP + CVI within 30 days. |
| Pennsylvania (PA) | NPIP. AI-monitored encouraged. |
| Rhode Island (RI) | NPIP. |
| South Carolina (SC) | NPIP. |
| South Dakota (SD) | NPIP. |
| Tennessee (TN) | NPIP. |
| Texas (TX) | NPIP. Pre-notification to TAHC for adult shipments. |
| Utah (UT) | NPIP + CVI within 30 days. |
| Vermont (VT) | NPIP. |
| Virginia (VA) | NPIP. |
| Washington (WA) | NPIP + AI-monitored + import permit for adults. |
| West Virginia (WV) | NPIP. |
| Wisconsin (WI) | NPIP. AI-clean during migration. |
| Wyoming (WY) | NPIP + CVI within 30 days. |
| Puerto Rico (PR), USVI | Restricted. USDA APHIS permit + 30-day quarantine + CVI. |
The acronyms you'll see
- NPIP - National Poultry Improvement Plan. The USDA-administered cooperative program. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean is the baseline; flocks can also enroll in Mycoplasma Clean, Avian Influenza Clean, and other programs.
- CVI - Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. A licensed accredited veterinarian inspects the flock and signs paperwork attesting to health status. Typically valid 30 days.
- AI-Monitored / AI-Clean - Avian Influenza surveillance. Quarterly drop testing (cloacal swabs from a percentage of the flock) submitted to a state lab.
- Mg/Ms-Clean - Mycoplasma gallisepticum / synoviae clean. Important for game-bird and breeder flocks.
- State import permit - Pre-shipment authorization required by some states (CA, HI, AK, NY for adults, WA for adults).
How to actually ship interstate, in 5 steps
- Confirm your flock's status. NPIP # current? AI-monitor on schedule? CVI within 30 days if shipping adults?
- Confirm the destination state's rules. Use the USDA APHIS state directory above to find the destination state vet. Email or call.
- Get any required permits. CA, NY (adults), WA (adults), HI, AK, PR require pre-shipment paperwork.
- Pack and ship. USPS Express for day-old chicks (15 minimum) and hatching eggs. UPS Air or private carrier for adults. Include NPIP certificate and any state-required paperwork inside the box.
- Notify the buyer with tracking. Most states require the buyer to retain the NPIP/CVI documents for 6+ months.
Common rejection reasons at the destination
- NPIP number not on the documents (forgotten in the paperwork)
- CVI expired (older than 30 days at delivery)
- Pre-shipment permit not obtained for restricted states
- Shipment during an HPAI outbreak quarantine in destination county
- Sender flock not on AI-monitored list when required
- Carrier delay pushed delivery past CVI expiry
For breeders
Enroll your flock in NPIP through your state animal health agency. The basic Pullorum-Typhoid Clean enrollment is usually $50-200 plus annual testing fees. Adding AI-Monitored is another $50-100/year. Most breeders also self-cert with USDA accredited veterinarian.
Buyer-facing tip: write your NPIP # and tier (P-T Clean, AI-Monitored, Mg-Ms Clean) into every listing - it builds buyer confidence and qualifies you for shipments to restricted states.
For buyers
Filter for NPIP-only listings in our search. If you're in CA, HI, AK, NY, or WA, confirm with your state vet before purchase that the breeder's certifications meet your state's requirements.
Pair with our USPS shipping guide and interstate rules cheat sheet.