Department of Livestock

Official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection

1. CVI are valid for not more than 30 days after the date of inspection, except where otherwise noted in this rule.
2. CVI must include:
   • Consignor and address of origin
   • Consignee and final destination address
   • Accurate description and identification of each animal (see specific species requirement)
   • Purpose for which they are shipped, method of transportation, identification and address of the transporter
   • The health status of the animals involved, including dates and results of inspections, tests and vaccinations required by the state of Montana per species
   • A signature by the issuing veterinarian who is certifying that the animals shown thereon are free from evidence of any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease or known exposure thereto
3. A copy of the CVI must be mailed immediately to the state veterinarian of Montana, P.O. Box 202001, Helena, Montana 59620-2001.
4. Accredited veterinarians who are approved by the chief veterinary official of the state of origin and accredited USDA veterinarians may inspect animals for entry into the State of Montana.

1. Animals Entering Montana:
   Permits are only good for 10 days from date of issuance. That gives the importer 10 days to enter Montana. Some animals may require additional testing to enter (see specific species for details). Please call the Department of Livestock if you have any questions.
2. Pet Stores:
   All animals that are destined for pet stores must have both an Import Permit and a CVI.

For more info. call Department of Livestock (406)444-2043, 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday. To obtain a permit call (406)444-2976, 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday. Veterinarians may obtain a Montana Import Permit Number at (406)444-2976, seven days a week, 24 hours a day.

Alternative Livestock Import Requirements

1. "Alternative Livestock" include:
• Bighorn, Dall Sheep, Desert Sheep, and Rocky Mountain Goats
• Captive Cervids - Antelope, Caribou, Deer, Elk, Fallow Deer, Muntjacs, and Reindeer
• Musk Ox
2. Call the office to obtain requirements and import permit during business hours only.
3. Please fax all paperwork including testing and purity test chart to (406) 444-1929 prior to calling for the permit. This will save a lot of time and repetition on paperwork.
4. Alternative livestock are permitted only to a licensed alternative livestock ranch in Montana.
5. Alternative livestock animals acquired from another state/province must be marked with a Montana ear tag within 30 days of importation.
6. The following attached statements should appear on the CVI signed by an accredited veterinarian in the state/province of origin:
• "To the best of my knowledge, animals listed herein are not infected with para tuberculosis (Johnes Disease) and have not been exposed to animals infected with para tuberculosis. To the best of my knowledge, the premises of origin have not been the site of significant disease outbreak in the previous 24 months that was not contained and extirpated using recognized disease control standards."
• The following statement only pertains to elk: "No CNS symptoms or deaths have been observed in the herd of origin within the last 5 years."
7. All cervidae will have received an appropriate anthelmintic treatment within 20 days of shipment. This treatment is to be documented on the CVI.
8. All Alternative Livestock animals in the shipment must test negative for Tuberculosis (TB) and Brucellosis.
9. All Alternative Livestock animals must be individually identified by an official metal USDA tag (NOTE: Ranch tags are not official tags).
• Tag numbers will be requested during the permit application and must be recorded on the CVI.
10. The Montana importer will be assess an import fee of $50 for the first animal and $10 for each additional animal, per permit issued.

For information call the Animal Health Division (406)444-2043, 8 AM - 5 PM, Monday-Friday. Permits for Alternative Livestock are available only during business hours.

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