1. It is unlawful to move, carry, transport or ship bees, combs or used beekeeping equipment into the state of Missouri unless accompanied by a valid permit issued by the director of the department of agriculture. Applications for permit to transport bees or used beekeeping equipment into the state shall be submitted on a form approved by the director. This application form must be accompanied by a certificate of health, issued by the authorized official of the state from which the bees are to be moved, certifying that the bees and used beekeeping equipment have been inspected by an approved inspector, during a period of active brood rearing, within ninety days prior to the proposed date of movement, and that such bees and used beekeeping equipment were found apparently free from any diseases or pests. Each application shall disclose the number of colonies of bees to be transported and a description of the location or locations where said bees are to be kept. Upon receipt of an application for a permit to move bees or used beekeeping equipment into the state, accompanied by a proper certificate of health and an application fee of ten dollars per application, the director shall issue the desired permit. This shall not apply to honey bees from quarantined areas outside the state of Missouri. These quarantines shall include all federal, state or Missouri exterior quarantines. Importation of honey bees from quarantined areas shall be in accordance with the rules made pursuant to this chapter.

2. Regardless of the above provisions of this section, the director shall have the authority to issue a permit without inspection to the person or persons owning such bees and equipment if he or she is satisfied that such bees and equipment were certified and moved from the state of Missouri within ninety days prior to the desired date of reentry and have not been exposed to diseased or pest infected bees or equipment.

3. A verbal authorization may be allowed by the Missouri director if the written permit outlined above has been requested but has not been received by the time that the bees are to be moved.

4. Combless packages of bees or queens, or both, are admitted into Missouri, without a Missouri permit, when accompanied by a valid certificate of inspection from the state of origin stating they are free of diseases and pests. This shall not apply to honey bees from quarantined areas outside the state of Missouri. These quarantines shall include all federal, state or Missouri exterior quarantines. Importation of honey bees from quarantined areas shall be in accordance with the rules made pursuant to this chapter.