Montana Import Requirements

Equine Import Alert

The State of Montana is issuing an emergency order modifying import requirements for equines entering Montana.

• All equines entering Montana must be traveling on a certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) issued no earlier than 72 hours prior to travel into Montana.  This 72-hour restriction also applies to equines who are issued a CVI in Montana to travel out-of-state and are returning to Montana on the same CVI.
• Equines that may have been exposed to EHV-1 within 14 days prior to CVI inspection are not eligible for importation into Montana until this order is lifted.
• Equines exhibiting any clinical signs consistent with EHV-1 or EHM, including a fever, are not eligible for importation into Montana until this Order is lifted.
•  All other importation requirements for equines eligible for entry into Montana pursuant to this Order remain in place.
• This Order is effective immediately.

Dairy Cattle Import Alert

Until further notice, the importation of lactating dairy cattle into Montana must meet the testing and movement requirements of the USDA APHIS Federal Order, effective April 29, 2024, including:

• A negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory within 7 days prior to movement.
• A certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) per 9 CFR Part 86, Animal Disease Traceability, including:
  • The lactation status of the cow (lactating or non-lactating)
  • Negative test results including laboratory name, accession number, and test date
  • Individual official identification 
• Montana Import Permit
  • To obtain an import permit number call the permit line at 406-444-2976 (24/7 via Phone) or email a scanned copy of the CVI to livpermits@mt.gov (Monday-Friday 8am-4:30pm via email).

Clinical dairy cattle or cattle from herds with a positive test or compatible clinical signs are not eligible for importation into Montana.

Lactating dairy cattle moving direct to slaughter are not required to have a premovement test and may travel on a CVI or other documentation approved by the State Veterinarian.

For further information on testing guidelines and requirements, please see the USDA APHIS Federal Notice at the following link: www.aphis.usda.gov/sites/default/files/aphis-requirements-recommendations-hpai-livestock.pdf

 Bovine

• Beef Cattle (Identification Requirements UPDATED)
• US Origin Domestic Bison
• US Origin Sporting/Rodeo Cattle
• Show/Exhibition Cattle

For more information please contact Fish, Wildlife, and Parks at 406-444-2535.

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