Butterfly Farmers must have permits from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to ship butterflies across state lines.  Not all butterflies are allowed to be shipped into all states.  Here is a chart that shows which butterflies are allowed to be shipped into which states for a butterfly release.

USDA butterfly release chart

Monarchs are not allowed to be shipped across the continental divide.

New York State requires a permit if you plan on releasing more than 50 butterflies.