What do IHCs need to comply with according to the importing country?

International Health Certificates (IHCs) serve as essential documentation to ensure that animals or animal products meet the health standards specified by the importing country. Compliance with the disease requirements of the importing country is crucial because each country has its own regulations designed to protect public health, animal health, and agricultural integrity. These requirements may include specific vaccinations, testing for diseases, and health guarantees that must be documented.

When an importing country establishes its disease requirements, it does so based on its own risk assessment and health status. Therefore, ensuring compliance with these unique requirements is vital for any importation process to be successful and to prevent the introduction of foreign diseases that could impact local animal populations and public health.

The other considerations, such as USDA disease requirements, import permits issued by states, and animal transport regulations, do play roles in the compliance process but are secondary to the necessity of adhering specifically to the disease requirements laid out by the importing country.