Exporting Horses From the U.S.

Moving horses from country-to-country requires, by law, a quarantine period where horses must be isolated. The United States Department of Agriculture requires that any equine being permanently exported overseas must spend a 30 day period in an approved isolation facility, which meets federal standards regarding space, sanitation and proximity to other animals. During this isolation period, precise testing and preparation of all needed paper work is done.

Exporting horses from the USA to another country requires an isolation/quarantine period at a USDA approved facility. Your horse, by law, will then be tested for different diseases in order to meet all export requirements. During this time, an export facility can take care of all blood and paper work that must be completed and then approved by the USDA prior to your horse's departure.

Following are typical questions and issues that arise when looking to export horses from the United States using an export facility. This information was provided by experts in equine exports Nedpoint Quarter Horses in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma.

What documents are required?

  • Current, negative Coggins test (within 12 months)
  • Copy of the original registration paper
  • Copy of your invoice or bill of sale for customs clearance at the point of destination
  • Equine isolation and transport agreement -- to be completed and signed by both parties prior to beginning the isolation period.

Full service export includes:

  • 30 days quarantine / daily care 
  • Testing and preparation of all health certificates and documents 
  • Transportation to airport of departure 
  • USDA charges at departure airport, export handling and air freight costs to airport of arrival

Not included, but necessary in export service:

  • Health or accident insurance of horse
  • Importation costs at the airport of arrival, such as, but not limited to, terminal charges and custom clearance costs 
  • Hauling to final destination from arrival airport 
  • Hauling to Nedpoint from original purchase destination in USA 
  • Additional vet, farrier or other requests will be billed as extra charges

Owners' requirement upon arrival of horse:

  • Signed Export Agreement (available upon request)
  • Payment is due in full upon arrival: if payment is not made, accumulative board of $20/day will be charged from arrival date, $250 to reissue health certificates, and if an alternate horse cannot be substituted, you are required to pay for container space on the original flight.
  • Current negative Coggins test (within 12 months) 
  • Copy of breed association papers 
  • Copy of invoice/bill of sale for customs clearance at point of destination 
  • EVA vaccination documentation (if vaccinated for EVA) for all horses

Nedpoint Quarter Horses has made International Import and Export Services for horses their specialty since 1994. Their central location in the USA makes shipping horses out of and into the USA convenient for international customers.

Nedpoint provides weekly transports:

  • EXPORT: Houston/USA to Amsterdam/The Netherlands
  • IMPORT: Amsterdam/The Netherlands to New York/USA.
  • Multiple other destinations are available upon request.

Nedpoint's isolation facility consists of 60 12 x 12 stalls, horse walkers, multiple grass turn out paddocks, and a heated underwater Aqua-tred (additional charges). Individual paddocks with attached sheds are provided for horses not accustomed to stalls such as broodmares or weanlings, or offered at owners' request. Stalls are bedded with pine shavings over rubber-matted floors. Timers provide 16 hours of lighting each day and horses are blanketed as needed during cooler months. The quarantine facility has a separate staff dedicated to caring for each horse's individual needs.

For more information, contact:

Nedpoint Quarter Horses, Inc.
Rt.1 Box 95 (Liberty road)
Pauls Valley, OK 73075 USA
Phone: (405) 238-9624
Fax: (405) 238-6330
E-mail: nedpohorse@aol.com

Also be sure to visit Nedpoint's import/export page.