Applying for a permit to import nontransgenic Drosophila melanogaster

Overview

If you wish to import nontransgenic strains of any Drosophila species, you must obtain a permit from a division of the USDA called Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ). Applications are submitted using the e-permits system. To use the e-permits system, you must first register online.

A PPQ import permit may be used for multiple shipments in a three-year period from any of the countries or continents you designate in your application. See What should I do with permits once I receive them?

If you have already received an import permit and it has expired, you can renew the permit online.

If you have questions about importing nontransgenic strains, email Plant Protection and Quarantine or call 877-770-5990.

Instructions for the Import Permit application
  1. Go to Permits Log In page.
  2. On eAuthentication page, type in User ID and Password. If you have not yet registered, see Registering to use USDA online permit applications.
  3. On "Welcome to ePermits page, click "Create/Renew/Amend Application".
  4. On "Choose Program Offices", choose "Plant Protection and Quarantine" and click "Continue".
  5. On "Choose Application types for PPQ" page, choose "PPQ 526 Permit to Move Live Plant Pests, Biological Control Agents, Bees, Parasitic Plants, Federal Noxious Weeds, or Soil" and click "Continue".
  6. Read "Select Agent Confirmation" page. Click "Continue".
  7. On the "Specify Application Type" page, select "New" and click "Continue".
  8. On the "Confidential Business Information (CBI) Verification" page, most academic investigators will choose "No" to the question "Does this application contain Confidential Business Information?" (If you are doing commercial research and your application qualifies for CBI treatment, you can figure out for yourself all the special stuff you need to do if you click "Yes" on this page...). Click "Continue".
  9. On the "Applicant Information" page, fill in the required fields and click "Continue".
  10. On the "Article Summary" page, click "Enter New Article".
  11. On the "Select or Enter Regulated Article" page, choose "Unknown" from the drop-down menu for "Where was the article originally collected?". In the "Origin Explanation" box, type "Lab strains". From the "Intended Use" menu, choose "Research - Lab". From the "Find regulated article by category" menu, choose "Invertebrate Pests - Insects". From the "Select one or more regulated articles menu, highlight "Drosophila melanogaster" and then click the ">>" button to enter it in the "Select article from the provide list" box. Click "Continue".
  12. On the "Article - Edit Detail" page, check off "Any" for "Life Stage(s)". For "Established in US?", click "Yes". For "Major Host", enter "N/A". For Additional Accompanying Material", choose "Culture medium" from the drop-down menu. Click "Continue".
  13. On the "Enter Culture Designation" page, type "Various nontransgenic genotypes". Click "Continue".
  14. On the "Article Summary" page, click "Done entering articles".
  15. On the "Origination Points - Movement Type", select "Importation" from the "Movement type" drop-down menu. Enter the current date under "Approximate Date(s) of Initial Import or Movement".
  16. On the "Importation - Origination Points Summary" page, click "Multiple Countries/Continents".
  17. On the "Origination Point - Multiple Countries and/or Continents", check off the Continents/Subcontinents from which you might import flies. (You may instead select individual countries if this is your preference.) Click "Continue".
  18. On the "Importation - Origination Points Summary" page, click "Done With Origination Points".
  19. On the "Destination - Importation Movement/Continued Curation" page, fill in the required fields and click "Continue".
  20. On the "Proposed Measures Summary", click "Enter New Proposed Measure".
  21. On the "Proposed Measure" page, select "Drosophila melanogaster" from the "Proposed Measures For" drop-down menu. Under "Escape Prevention", check "Other" and type "Standard Laboratory Containment" in the box. Under "Disposition Method", check "Autoclave", "Dry Heat" and "Freezing" unless you want to customize the response to your lab practices. Click "Continue".
  22. On the "Proposed Measures Summary", click "Done with Proposed Measure".
  23. On the "Attachments" page, click "Continue".
  24. On the "Certify and Submit" page, click the "Certify and Submit" button.
  25. The "Application Submitted" page will appear with an application number for your records.