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HomeFish and Game CodeDiv. 3Ch. 4Art. 1§ 2353 Wildlife Importation Requirements

§ 2353 Wildlife Importation Requirements

Fish and Game Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 2353 Wildlife Importation Requirements

You can bring in or keep certain animals from other states only if they were legally taken there, the state doesn't ban them, and you file a declaration when you bring them in.

Key Takeaways

  • •The animal must be legal to own where it was taken.
  • •California law must not prohibit keeping that animal.
  • •A declaration must be submitted when the animal enters the state, unless it's part of a food shipment on a carrier.

Example

You caught a pet ferret in Oregon and want to bring it to California.

You must first make sure ferrets aren't on California's banned list, then fill out a declaration form and give it to the wildlife department when you cross the border, unless the ferret is being shipped as food for passengers.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 2353 Wildlife Importation Requirements

(a) Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians shall not be imported or possessed in this state unless all of the following requirements are met: (1) The animals were legally taken and legally possessed outside of this state. (2) This code and regulations adopted pursuant thereto do not expressly prohibit their possession in this state. (3) A declaration is submitted to the department or a designated state or federal agency at or immediately before the time of entry, in the form and manner prescribed by the department. (b) Birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, or amphibians legally taken and legally possessed outside of this state may be imported into this state and possessed without a declaration if the shipment is handled by a common carrier under a bill of lading or as supplies carried into this state by common carriers for use as food for the passengers. (c) The commission and the department shall not modify this section by any regulation that would prohibit the importation of lawfully killed migratory game birds taken in any other state or country and transported into this state pursuant to the migratory bird regulations adopted annually by the Secretary of the Interior. (Amended by Stats. 2007, Ch. 285, Sec. 45. Effective January 1, 2008.)

Last verified: January 10, 2026

Key Terms

imported or possessedlegally taken and legally possesseddeclarationcommon carrier

Related Statutes

  • § 2346 Wildlife Transport Bag Limits
  • § 2347 Wildlife Transport Limits
  • § 2348 Live Animal Shipping Labels
  • § 2352 Bird Transport Restrictions
  • § 1300 Wildlife Conservation Law

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Fish and Game Code. Section 2353.
View Official Source