Horse, Donkey, Mule and Zebra Import Requirements

Certificate Requirements

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) or a Six-Month Horse Passport

Permit Requirements

Import Permit

Brand Inspection - If the area of origin does not have brand inspections, one should be obtained upon arrival in Montana. To obtain an inspection, contact a brand inspector.

Re-Entry Permits

Any Montana origin horse leaving the state and returning within 30 days may obtain a 30 day import permit before leaving Montana. 

• Re-entry permits are only valid for horses leaving the state to participate in events or exhibitions, they are not valid for horses that are being sold, changing ownership or breeding.
• If the horse does not return to Montana before their Certificate of Veterinary Inspection expires (30 days from the date of inspection), then a new CVI and Import Permit will be required.
• All testing requirements remain the same

As of April 1st, 2016 horses traveling on electronic Certificates of Veterinary Inspection (eCVI's) will not be required to obtain a re-entry permit

• The horse(s) must meet all of the above requirements
• The destination address on the eCVI must be the Montana address the horse is returning to OR
• Have a statement included stating "these horse(s) are returning to Montana within 30 days"

Any horse traveling on a paper CVI will still require a Re-Entry Permit number

Testing Requirements

Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) – All animals must have a negative EIA test (Coggins test) within the 12 months prior to importation. Exception: A nursing foal under 6 months of age accompanied by the EIA negative dam is exempt from test requirements.

Equine Viral Arteritis (EVA) – No test is required. All stallions imported into Montana must comply with Official Order 09-01-I.

1. Stallions with a positive test result must either have proof of prior vaccination against the disease or a negative semen test.
2. Stallions that are known carriers (shedders) of EVA in semen must have approval from the Montana State Veterinarian prior to importation.

Equine Semen Requirements

Import Permit