Russia Pet Import Requirements

What is a Pet Passport?

We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents according to Russia pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport for Russia will include current rabies vaccination and Russian bi-lingual health certificate. Import permits are required for imports of more than 2 personal pets or commercial imports issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.

Animals Eligible for These Import Regulations

These requirements apply to the transport of domestic dogs, cats and ferrets including assistance and service animals. Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other animals should refer to step 13.

Rabies Classifications

Russia is classified as an unlisted country (high rabies) by the European Union and many other countries. A rabies titer test will be required to return to the European Union and many other countries. See more information under Exporting pets from Russia below.

Pets must originate from countries that have not had a rabies incident within the past six months of import.

Find a Licensed Veterinarian

Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that handles the movement of live animals.

Quarantine When Importing a Pet to Russia

There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Russia as long as the following requirements are met.
Your pet must originate from an area that has been free of rabies for at least 6 months. Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats only. Owners of other pets should refer to item 13.

Russia Pet Import Requirements

All steps required to conform to regulations to import a dog, cat or ferret to Russia must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.

Step 1: Pet Microchip

Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from your during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.

Although microchipping is not required to import it to Russia, it is strongly recommended to have your pet identified with a non-encrypted, 15-digit, ISO 11784 or 11785 Annex A compliant pet microchip. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO compliant, you can bring your own microchip scanner.

Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation as to the manufacturer of the microchip and instructions on how to register your pet’s information in the manufacturer or government database in your country.

If your pet is microchipped, the microchip number should be recorded on all documentation.

Step 2: Vaccinations

Your pet must have proof of current vaccination against rabies (export health certificate or government- issued pet passport) no sooner than 21 days and no more than 11 months prior to entering Russia. Multi-year vaccines must be validated by your veterinarian on the health certificate (step 5).

Do not count the day of the veterinary visit in the wait time.

Dogs must be treated for the following diseases within 12 months of import:

• canine distemper
• canine hepatitis
• canine leptospirosis (unless currently being treated)
• canine parvovirus

Cats must be treated for the following diseases within 12 months of import:

• feline viral rhinotracheitis
• feline panleukopenia
• feline leukemia

Cats must also be checked for dermatophytosis and, if lesions are found, must undergo tests for dermatophytosis with samples processed at an approved laboratory. Cats with this condition should not be imported to Russia.

Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test

A rabies titer test is not required to import a pet to Russia from any country.

Step 4: Parasite Treatments

According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites should be administered prior to entering Russia.

The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are recommended, but not required.

Pet owners should consider keeping their pets protected when traveling internationally, and export procedures in the origination country may mandate these treatments.

Step 5: Health Certificate

All countries worldwide require an original pet health certificate issued shortly prior to travel. The certificate is issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country and includes at a minimum:

A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete a health certificate within 5 days of travel indicating that a pet is clinically healthy and vaccinated against rabies.

Related: Pet health certificate for Russia

Alternately, a government-issued Pet Passport with proof of a health check within 5 days of travel will be accepted if your country’s export procedures or airline pet policies do not mandate an export health certificate.

The certificate or Pet Passport must be signed and stamped by a government veterinarian in the origination country representing the agency responsible for the import and export of live animals.

The certificate is valid for travel to other Eurasian Economic Union Countries (Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Armenia).

Step 6: Import Permit

An import permit is not required when importing one or two dogs or cats to Russia with their owners. Imports of more than 2 animals per person or unaccompanied or commercial imports will require an import permit, pretravel quarantine and health certificate.

Other Information

Importing Puppies and Kittens to Russia

Unvaccinated puppies, kittens and kits (baby ferrets) under three months of age are granted an exception when entering Russia as they should not be vaccinated for rabies until they turn 3 months. However, they should be microchipped and travel with a specific health certificate. Pet owners can also provide a serology test with acceptable levels to prove immunity to rabies.

All pets over three months of age are subject to requirements listed here.

Related: More information on transporting a puppy.

Breeds Banned from Import to Russia

Russia does not publish a list of banned breeds. Pet owners are responsible for their pet’s behavior.

Entering Russia with a Pet

Live animals entering Russia by air should do so at Domodedovo Airport or Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow or Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg according to commercial airline routes. Upon arrival, you will register your pet at the airport veterinary office for a fee.

Pets can enter Russia by air in the cabin, as checked baggage or air cargo. In all cases, pets must travel in a crate or carrier in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.

Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?

Flights to Russia should be direct or transit through a listed third country (step 1) or another EU Member State if possible. Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.

All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the port of entry to Russia. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at importer expense.

Exporting Pets from Russia

Non-resident pets whose health and proof of rabies vaccination are still valid can exit Russia without additional documentation unless their airline requires it.

All resident dogs, cats and ferrets leaving Russia for a foreign country must have their veterinarian in Russia issue a Form 1 no sooner than 15 days prior to travel. Authorities at the border inspection post or airport will exchange this form for a Form 5(a) – International Veterinary Health Certificate. All documentation required by the importing country must be provided.

Pet owners should consider having serology levels confirmed prior to leaving Russia. Traveling internationally with the results of this test will ensure a smoother customs clearance in your destination country.

Importing Birds and Other Pet Animals to Russia

Other Animals

Domesticated rodents, rabbits, amphibians, and reptiles entering Russia should travel with their owners under non-commercial regulations and be accompanied with a current health certificate issued within 5 days of travel. They must be kept away from all other animals at home prior to travel (quarantine).

Rabbits must originate in a country without incidences of hemorrhagic disease, tularemia, pasteurellosis (Pasteurella multocida, or Mannheimia gaemolitica within the past 12 months of import. Additionally, no incidences of myxomatosis must have occurred within the past 6 months of import.

Rabbits must be vaccinated against myxomatosis, and viral hemorrhagic disease and any other diseases deemed necessary by the competent authority in the origination country.

Ferrets must be vaccinated against canine distemper, viral enteritis, pseudomonosis within 12 months of import.

These pets should conform to the following conditions:

• Be accompanied by their owner.
• Be not more than two in number without an import permit.
• Have a current health certificate including identifying microchip number (if appropriate) or specific features of the pet.
• Be transported in crates or carriers compliant with the International Air Transport Association.
• Enter Serbia at an approved Border Inspection Post.

Pet Bird Import (Non-Poultry)

Due to outbreaks of Avian Influenza, owners of pet birds wanting to import them to Russia are encouraged to contact the appropriate agency in the origination country for permission to import. The following requirements should be followed when importing a bird to Russia.

• The bird is accompanied by the owner or owner’s representative.
• The transport does not exceed 2 birds in number.
• The bird must be identified by a non-removable, legible individual marking displaying an alpha-numeric code (clip, ring, microchip, transponder, ear tag) prior to isolation and any testing (see below).
• Birds must be vaccinated against ornithosis (psittacosis), avian influenza, salmonellosis, and New Castle diseases.

Birds must be examined within five days of transport and found free of any signs of disease or external parasites. A health certificate must be issued and include the following information: characteristics of the bird, species, sex, color, owner’s information, veterinarian’s information, details of any medical tests or treatments.

Additional considerations:

• Birds must not be exposed to any other birds after the clinical examination and prior to import.
• Birds must enter Russia at an approved border inspection point.
• Birds that are subject to CITES regulations must be accompanied by additional permits (next step).

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Importers should verify that their pet is not protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This is important if your pet is not a dog or cat, and very important if it is a turtle or parrot. You will need to apply for additional permits if this is the case. Contact the Environmental Protection Agency of the Republic of Russia if you suspect that your pet is covered by CITES regulations.

Over 180 countries participate and enforce CITES regulations.

Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ Database

Related: Learn more about CITES

Need More Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Russia?

Visit PetTravelStore.com for further detail on permits, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Russia at minimal cost. Unlimited email support is included.

Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Russia?

Have a comment about importing a pet to Russia? Post it below and be published! Post it below and be published! You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.

Please note that the accuracy of comments made from Facebook users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.

Current Information

To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Russia pet import requirements.