Export Live Animals to Russian Federation

Last Modified: August 20, 2024

Electronic Signature ACCEPTED; Original Ink Endorsement REQUIRED

For Accredited Veterinarians: Electronic signature ACCEPTED

For APHIS VMO: Original ink endorsement REQUIRED

USDA-accredited veterinarians can electronically issue health certificates and use VEHCS (Veterinary Export Health Certification System) to submit them to USDA for endorsement.

USDA must ink-sign and emboss the health certificate.

Summary of Requirements

Note: Effective August 27, 2014, there is a temporary restriction on animals from Colorado and Texas due to the ongoing outbreak of vesicular stomatitis. Russia has prohibited the U.S. export of horses or other single-hoofed ungulates, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and semen and embryos of these species. Also included in the restriction are wild, zoo, and circus animals susceptible to vesicular stomatitis.

Note: Effective September 5, 2012, Russia has banned U.S. export of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and semen and embryos from donors in Mora County, New Mexico.

Note: Regarding vesicular stomatitis virus, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) of the Russian Federation has placed restrictions on the export of U.S. origin horses or other single-hoofed ungulates, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and semen and embryos of these species, including wild, zoo, and circus animals, from the following states and counties to the Russian Federation:

  • August 5, 2005 –Yellowstone County, Montana and Sablet County, Wyoming
  • May 5, 2005 – Grant County, New Mexico
  • August 31, 2012 – Mora County, New Mexico
  • July 7, 2014 – San Patricia County and Nueces County, Texas
  • August 27, 2014 – the entire states of Colorado and Texas

Note: USDA APHIS strongly recommends U.S. exporters test ruminants during the pre-export isolation for bluetongue virus using PCR test methods, regardless of the status of the premises of origin as referred to in Item 3.2.2. of the model health certificate.

Note: Regarding vesicular stomatitis virus, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) of the Russian Federation has placed restrictions on the export of U.S. origin horses or other single-hoofed ungulates, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and semen and embryos of these species, including wild, zoo, and circus animals, from the following states and counties to the Russian Federation:

  • August 5, 2005 –Yellowstone County, Montana and Sablet County, Wyoming
  • May 5, 2005 – Grant County, New Mexico
  • August 31, 2012 – Mora County, New Mexico
  • July 7, 2014 – San Patricia County and Nueces County, Texas
  • August 27, 2014 – the entire states of Colorado and Texas

Note: USDA APHIS strongly recommends U.S. exporters test ruminants during the pre-export isolation for bluetongue virus using PCR test methods, regardless of the status of the premises of origin as referred to in Item 3.2.2. of the model health certificate.

Note: Effective May 30, 2014, Russia has banned import of live pigs from the United States due to the detection of Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea (PED). (Confirmed: June 22, 2021)

Effective July 24, 2024, ALL U.S. POULTRY exports and transits to and through Russia, are temporarily restricted. 

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APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility approval is required for the export of aquatic animals caught in natural water bodies. 

Note: Regarding vesicular stomatitis virus, the Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance Service (VPSS) of the Russian Federation has placed restrictions on the export of U.S. origin horses or other single-hoofed ungulates, cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and semen and embryos of these species, including wild, zoo, and circus animals, from the following states and counties to the Russian Federation:

  • August 5, 2005 –Yellowstone County, Montana and Sablet County, Wyoming
  • May 5, 2005 – Grant County, New Mexico
  • August 31, 2012 – Mora County, New Mexico
  • July 7, 2014 – San Patricia County and Nueces County, Texas
  • August 27, 2014 – the entire states of Colorado and Texas

Note: USDA APHIS strongly recommends U.S. exporters test ruminants during the pre-export isolation for bluetongue virus using PCR test methods, regardless of the status of the premises of origin as referred to in Item 3.2.2. of the model health certificate.

Taking a Pet to Another Country?

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If your species is not listed, the requirements for that species are not known. Exporters who want to ship livestock or germplasm whose requirements are not listed above should have the importer or buyer in the destination country apply for an import permit at the appropriate ministry. This import permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

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USDA-Accredited Veterinarians

Contact a USDA-accredited veterinarian for questions about your destination country's entry requirements for animals (including any needed vaccinations, tests, or treatments) and for issuance of health certificates.

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USDA Endorsement Offices

Contact your nearest APHIS Veterinary Export Trade Services Endorsement Office for questions about endorsing an export health certificate for live animals. 

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