Bringing a pet to Mongolia

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Mongolia applies a rabies-risk-tiered pet import regime: a valid rabies vaccination, ISO microchip, and government-endorsed health certificate are always required; a rabies titer test and an import permit are added for high-risk origins. Properly documented pets are not routinely quarantined, but missing or invalid paperwork can lead to detention or refusal at the border.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Mongolia.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent ministry) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Mongolia does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines flying into Ulaanbaatar (including MIAT Mongolian Airlines and international carriers) often refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers in the cargo hold due to breathing risks — check with your specific airline. Wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, and other wild canids are subject to separate CITES and wildlife import rules and are not treated as domestic pets.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch and date, valid at arrival
  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary authority
  • Proof of ISO microchip with number matching the health certificate
  • Owner's passport and travel document showing the pet is accompanying the owner

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–60, government-endorsed health certificate ~$100–250, rabies vaccination ~$20–60, and any courier/consular legalisation of documents ~$50–150. No standard import permit fee applies in this tier, but border inspection may involve small administrative fees. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency.

The 21-day wait after the primary rabies vaccination must be complete before arrival; a pet vaccinated less than 21 days before travel can be refused entry or held at the owner's expense.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent ministry) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Mongolia does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines flying into Ulaanbaatar (including MIAT Mongolian Airlines and international carriers) often refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers in the cargo hold due to breathing risks — check with your specific airline. Wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, and other wild canids are subject to separate CITES and wildlife import rules and are not treated as domestic pets.

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch and date, valid at arrival
  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary authority
  • Proof of ISO microchip with number matching the health certificate
  • Owner's passport and travel document showing the pet is accompanying the owner

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–60, government-endorsed health certificate ~$100–250, rabies vaccination ~$20–60, and any courier/consular legalisation of documents ~$50–150. No standard import permit fee applies in this tier, but border inspection may involve small administrative fees. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency.

Low-risk origins (most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia) are treated the same as free origins for dogs: no titer test and no import permit required, provided the rabies vaccination is current and the health certificate is properly endorsed. The 21-day post-vaccination wait still applies.

Apply / official dog import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority (e.g. USDA APHIS for the US, DEFRA for the UK, or the equivalent ministry) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Mongolia does not maintain a national breed ban list for dogs entering the country. However, airlines flying into Ulaanbaatar (including MIAT Mongolian Airlines and international carriers) often refuse to carry brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers in the cargo hold due to breathing risks — check with your specific airline. Wolves, wolf-dog hybrids, and other wild canids are subject to separate CITES and wildlife import rules and are not treated as domestic pets.

Documents checklist

  • Import permit issued in advance by the Mongolian State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccine batch and date, valid at arrival
  • FAVN rabies titer test certificate showing ≥0.5 IU/ml, sample taken ≥30 days after vaccination and within 12 months of arrival
  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival and endorsed by the origin country's government veterinary authority
  • Proof of ISO microchip with number matching the health certificate and titer test
  • Owner's passport and travel document showing the pet is accompanying the owner

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally. Microchip ~$30–60, government-endorsed health certificate ~$100–250, rabies vaccination ~$20–60, FAVN titer test ~$150–300 (including shipping to an approved laboratory), import permit application and processing ~$50–200, and any courier/consular legalisation of documents ~$50–150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency.

High-risk origins (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East) require an import permit obtained before travel and a valid FAVN titer test. Apply for the permit at least 4–6 weeks before departure. Without the permit, the pet may be refused entry or held at the border at the owner's expense. The titer test must be done at an OIE/WHO-approved laboratory.

Apply / official dog import page

Frequently asked questions

Mongolia does not publish a fixed numeric cap for non-commercial pet movement in its veterinary import rules, but in practice border vets treat 1–2 dogs accompanying the same owner as personal pets. Bringing 3 or more dogs on the same itinerary is likely to be treated as commercial import, which triggers additional requirements including a commercial import licence, a veterinary certificate for trade, and possible customs duties. If you are moving with more than two dogs, contact the State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency in advance to confirm the commercial threshold.
No. Mongolia does not exempt emotional-support animals or service dogs from the standard veterinary import requirements. A service dog still needs a valid rabies vaccination, an ISO microchip, a government-endorsed health certificate, and — if coming from a high-risk rabies country — an import permit and a FAVN titer test. Airlines may allow a service dog in the cabin, but that is an airline policy, not a border exemption. Plan for the same paperwork as any other dog.
It depends on where you are travelling from. Dogs arriving from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, the Middle East) must have a FAVN test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml, with the blood sample taken at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and within 12 months of arrival. Dogs from low-risk or free origins (most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia) do not need a titer test. If the titer is below 0.5 IU/ml, the dog must be re-vaccinated and re-tested after another 30 days.
Start at least 3–4 months before departure. The sequence is: microchip first, then rabies vaccination, then wait 30 days, then FAVN blood test (results take 2–4 weeks), then apply for the Mongolian import permit (allow 4–6 weeks), then get the health certificate within 10 days of arrival. Rushing any step — especially the 30-day titer wait — can force you to delay the flight or leave the dog behind.
No routine quarantine applies if your dog arrives with a valid rabies vaccination, a properly endorsed health certificate, and — for high-risk origins — a valid import permit and titer test. Quarantine is not a standard part of the process. However, if the border vet finds missing or invalid documents, the dog can be detained at the border or at an approved facility at the owner's expense until the issue is resolved, which in practice functions as a short quarantine.
You clear passport control first, then go to the veterinary border inspection point with the dog and all original documents. The vet will scan the microchip, check the rabies vaccination date, verify the health certificate is within its 10-day validity, and — for high-risk origins — check the import permit and FAVN result. If everything matches, the dog is cleared, usually within 30–60 minutes. Keep the dog in a secure carrier until inspection is complete; UBN is not a pet-friendly terminal for loose animals.
Yes, but the same veterinary rules apply at the land border. The Trans-Siberian rail route via Naushki/Sükhbaatar and the road crossings from China (e.g. Zamyn-Üüd/Erlian) have veterinary checkpoints. You must present the same documents — rabies certificate, health certificate, microchip proof, and for high-risk origins the import permit and titer test. Land crossings can be slower and less predictable than the airport; allow extra time and carry paper originals, not just digital copies.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Mongolia.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate (international format, issued within 10 days of travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo if applied before 2011

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No import permit or titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI).

The cat must be accompanied by the owner or a designated person on the same flight. All documents must be original and accompanied by a certified English or Mongolian translation if issued in another language.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Veterinary health certificate (international format, issued within 10 days of travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo if applied before 2011

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50. No import permit or titer test is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI).

The cat must be accompanied by the owner or a designated person on the same flight. All documents must be original and accompanied by a certified English or Mongolian translation if issued in another language.

Apply / official cat import page

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian or accredited private veterinarian endorsed by the origin country's competent authority · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Import permit issued by the Mongolian General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI) prior to travel
  • Veterinary health certificate (international format, issued within 10 days of travel)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid for at least 21 days and not expired)
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies antibody titre test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory
  • Microchip identification (ISO 11784/11785) or legible tattoo if applied before 2011

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccination ~$20-50, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fee ~$50-100. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI).

An import permit must be obtained from GASI before travel. The FAVN test must be done at an approved laboratory and the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be performed at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The cat must be accompanied by the owner or a designated person on the same flight. All documents must be original and accompanied by a certified English or Mongolian translation if issued in another language.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Mongolian regulations do not explicitly cap the number of pet cats for non-commercial import, but in practice, more than 2-3 cats may be considered commercial and require additional permits and veterinary inspections. For personal pets, keep the number small and be prepared to show they are for personal companionship, not resale. If you plan to bring more than 3 cats, contact GASI in advance.
No. Mongolia does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats, regardless of their role, must meet the same import requirements: microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and for high-risk origins, a rabies titer test and import permit. Airlines may have their own policies for cabin travel, but the destination country's veterinary rules apply fully.
Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must have a rabies antibody titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at an approved laboratory at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 90 days before travel. The test result is valid for the life of the pet as long as rabies vaccinations are kept up to date.
The veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. It must be in English or Mongolian, or accompanied by a certified translation, and endorsed by a government veterinarian. Ensure the certificate includes the cat's microchip number, rabies vaccination details, and a statement of good health.
No, there is no quarantine for pet cats entering Mongolia if all import requirements are met. However, if documents are incomplete or the cat shows signs of illness, GASI may order quarantine at the owner's expense. Quarantine conditions and duration would be determined by the veterinary authorities at the point of entry.
Mongolia requires an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. If your cat has a non-ISO microchip, you should bring your own scanner to verify the chip at border control. A legible tattoo applied before 2011 may be accepted as an alternative, but microchips are strongly preferred.
An import permit is required only for cats originating from high-risk rabies countries. For cats from free or low-risk countries, no import permit is needed. The permit must be obtained from the Mongolian General Agency for Specialized Inspection (GASI) before travel. Apply at least 2-4 weeks in advance.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Mongolia.

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (in English or Mongolian, or with certified translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Proof of origin (e.g., owner's passport or export document)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: health certificate $50–150, rabies vaccination $20–50, translation fees $30–80. No import permit or titer test required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian General Agency for Veterinary Services (GAVS).

Ferrets are not listed as rabies-controlled animals in Mongolia, but a valid rabies vaccination is still required for entry. No quarantine for ferrets from free-tier origins. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival. Ferrets are allowed as pets but must be declared at customs.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (in English or Mongolian, or with certified translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Proof of origin (e.g., owner's passport or export document)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: health certificate $50–150, rabies vaccination $20–50, translation fees $30–80. No import permit or titer test required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Mongolian General Agency for Veterinary Services (GAVS).

Same requirements as free-tier origins. No quarantine. Ferrets must be declared at customs. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.

Apply / official ferret import page

Microchip
Not required
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 90+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the origin country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Import permit issued by the Mongolian General Agency for Veterinary Services (GAVS)
  • International veterinary health certificate (in English or Mongolian, or with certified translation)
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml, blood drawn ≥30 days post-vaccination, test completed ≥90 days before travel)
  • Proof of origin (e.g., owner's passport or export document)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: import permit $50–100, health certificate $50–150, rabies vaccination $20–50, FAVN titer test $100–250, translation fees $30–80. Confirm current prices with a local vet and GAVS.

Import permit must be obtained before travel. Titer test required. No quarantine for ferrets even from high-risk origins, but all documents must be complete. Ferrets must be declared at customs. Health certificate must be issued within 10 days of arrival.

Apply / official ferret import page

Frequently asked questions

No. Mongolia does not require a microchip for ferrets entering the country. However, if your ferret is travelling from a high-risk rabies country, the rabies titer test (FAVN) may require identification via microchip or tattoo for the laboratory to link the blood sample to the animal. Check with the testing laboratory.
Mongolia does not publish a specific limit for ferrets, but the general non-commercial pet movement rule allows up to 5 animals per traveller. If you bring more than 5, the shipment may be treated as commercial, requiring additional import permits and veterinary inspections. Confirm with the Mongolian General Agency for Veterinary Services (GAVS) before travelling with more than 5 ferrets.
No. Mongolia does not exempt emotional support or service animals from veterinary import rules. All ferrets, regardless of their role, must meet the same requirements: valid rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if from a high-risk country) an import permit and rabies titer test. There is no special lane for service animals.
Ferrets from CDC high-risk rabies countries (e.g., Thailand, Russia, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) must have a FAVN or RFFIT test. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination, and the result must show ≥0.5 IU/ml. The test is valid for 1 year from the blood draw date. Use an OIE/WHO-approved laboratory. The test must be completed at least 90 days before travel.
No. Mongolia does not impose quarantine on ferrets, regardless of origin country. However, if your documents are incomplete or the animal shows signs of illness, customs or veterinary officials may order isolation at your expense. Ensure all paperwork is complete before travel.
The international veterinary health certificate must be issued within 10 days before arrival in Mongolia. It must be in English or Mongolian, or accompanied by a certified translation. The certificate must be issued by an official government veterinarian of the origin country.
No. Mongolia requires ferrets to be at least 3 months old for import. This aligns with the minimum age for a valid rabies vaccination (12 weeks). Ferrets younger than 3 months cannot meet the rabies vaccination requirement and will be denied entry.

Good to know

The State Veterinary and Sanitary Inspection Agency is the competent authority for import permits and border veterinary control. Pets must enter through an international border crossing with a veterinary checkpoint; Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) is the main one. Rail and road arrivals from Russia or China are subject to the same inspection. Carry original documents with the animal; border vets will match them against the microchip.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Mongolia, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Mongolia's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.