Bringing a pet to Russia

Last reviewed October 2, 2026

Russia requires an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and an international veterinary health certificate for every dog entering the country. There is no routine quarantine for properly documented pets, but border veterinary inspectors examine paperwork closely and can refuse entry or order isolation if anything is missing. Requirements differ by the rabies-risk status of the origin country: dogs from high-risk origins need an additional rabies titer test, while dogs from low-risk or rabies-free origins do not.

Requirements for your pet

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

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 exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Russia does not maintain a national breed ban for dogs entering the country. However, some airlines flying to Russia restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo due to breathing risks. Check with your airline. Additionally, certain cities or regions may have local rules on dangerous breeds, but these generally do not affect entry for non-commercial pets.

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Veterinary passport (if issued by origin country)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, airline fees for in-cabin or cargo transport ~$100–500. No titer test or import permit fees apply for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

The 21-day rabies wait applies after the first vaccination or booster. No quarantine if documents are in order.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

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 exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Russia does not maintain a national breed ban for dogs entering the country. However, some airlines flying to Russia restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo due to breathing risks. Check with your airline. Additionally, certain cities or regions may have local rules on dangerous breeds, but these generally do not affect entry for non-commercial pets.

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Veterinary passport (if issued by origin country)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, airline fees ~$100–500. No titer test or import permit fees apply for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

The 21-day wait after rabies vaccination is strictly enforced. The health certificate must be issued within 5 days of arrival.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government veterinarian of the exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited vet for US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Breed restrictions

Russia does not maintain a national breed ban for dogs entering the country. However, some airlines flying to Russia restrict brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers from cargo due to breathing risks. Check with your airline. Additionally, certain cities or regions may have local rules on dangerous breeds, but these generally do not affect entry for non-commercial pets.

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of travel
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing vaccination at least 21 days before travel
  • FAVN/RFFIT titer test result (≥0.5 IU/ml) from an approved laboratory, sampled at least 30 days after vaccination
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 microchip
  • Veterinary passport (if issued by origin country)

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, FAVN titer test ~$100–250, airline fees ~$100–500. No import permit fee applies for non-commercial pets. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

The titer test is the key extra step for high-risk origins. The 30-day wait after vaccination before sampling means the process takes at least 51 days from vaccination to travel (21 days wait + 30 days to sample + lab processing time). No quarantine if all documents are valid, but border vets may still order isolation if paperwork is incomplete.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 dogs per person are allowed under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is treated as commercial and requires additional permits, veterinary inspections, and possibly a commercial import licence from Rosselkhoznadzor. The 5-pet limit applies per traveller, not per family.
No. Russia does not exempt emotional support animals or service dogs from the standard import requirements. All dogs, including service animals, must have an ISO microchip, a valid rabies vaccination (at least 21 days old), and an international veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of travel. If arriving from a high-risk rabies country, a FAVN titer test is also required. Airlines may have their own policies for service dogs in the cabin, but border control will still check the same documents.
It depends on where you are travelling from. If your dog is coming from a country Russia considers high-risk for rabies (e.g., Thailand, most of Africa, India, Middle East), a FAVN or RFFIT titer test showing at least 0.5 IU/ml is required. The blood must be drawn at least 30 days after rabies vaccination. If you are coming from a low-risk or free country (e.g., EU, US, UK, Japan), no titer test is needed.
At least 21 days must pass between the rabies vaccination and arrival in Russia. The vaccine must be given when the dog is at least 12 weeks old. If it is the dog's first rabies vaccine, the 21-day clock starts from that date. If it is a booster, the 21-day wait still applies unless the previous vaccination was kept up to date without gaps — in that case, the wait may not apply, but Russian border vets often still check for a valid certificate showing at least 21 days since the most recent shot.
The international veterinary health certificate must be issued within 5 days before arrival in Russia. Some airlines or border posts may accept a certificate issued within 10 days, but the official Russian requirement is 5 days. Plan your vet visit close to departure — a certificate issued too early will be rejected.
No, there is no routine quarantine for dogs entering Russia if all required documents are valid and in order. However, if the border veterinary inspector finds missing or invalid documents, the dog may be refused entry or placed in isolation at the owner's expense until the situation is resolved. Ensure your microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and any required titer test are all correct before you travel.
No. Pets can only enter Russia through designated border crossings that have a veterinary control point. Major international airports like Moscow Sheremetyevo, Domodedovo, and Pulkovo in St. Petersburg have these facilities. Land border crossings with veterinary control also exist, but not all. Check with Rosselkhoznadzor or your airline for the list of approved entry points. Arriving at a crossing without veterinary control can result in refusal of entry for your pet.

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

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 exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet A or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine name, batch, and date
  • Microchip implantation certificate or record

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible customs inspection fee ~$50–100. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Russia does not apply a formal 'free' tier; this tier is a theoretical construct for EU-equivalent territories. In practice, all non-EAEU origins are treated similarly, but pets from countries with negligible rabies risk may face less scrutiny.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

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 exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet A or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine name, batch, and date
  • Microchip implantation certificate or record

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible customs inspection fee ~$50–100. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Russia does not differentiate between low-risk and high-risk origins for pet cats; all must meet the same requirements. Pets from countries with controlled rabies may be subject to less scrutiny.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

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 exporting country (e.g., USDA APHIS-accredited veterinarian for the US, or equivalent national authority) · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet A or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine name, batch, and date
  • Microchip implantation certificate or record

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50, possible customs inspection fee ~$50–100. No titer test, import permit, or quarantine fee applies. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Russia does not require a rabies titer test or import permit for pet cats from any country, including high-risk origins. Cats from high-risk countries may be subject to additional scrutiny or quarantine at the discretion of border officials.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

Frequently asked questions

Up to 5 cats are generally allowed as personal pets without a commercial import license. More than 5 may be considered commercial and subject to different regulations. Check with Rosselkhoznadzor for the latest rules.
Yes. Russia does not grant exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats entering Russia must comply with the same veterinary requirements, including a health certificate, rabies vaccination, and microchip.
No. Russia does not require a rabies titer test for pet cats, regardless of the origin country. Only a valid rabies vaccination certificate is required, with vaccination at least 21 days before entry.
The international veterinary health certificate must be issued within 5 days of the cat's arrival in Russia. It must be endorsed by an official government veterinarian of the exporting country.
Yes. Your cat must be identified with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip. The microchip number must be recorded on the rabies vaccination certificate and the health certificate.
No. There is no mandatory quarantine for pet cats entering Russia if all import requirements are met. If the animal shows signs of illness or the documents are not in order, border officials may order quarantine or return the animal.
A kitten must be at least 3 months (12 weeks) old to enter Russia. This is because the rabies vaccination cannot be given before 12 weeks of age, and a 21-day waiting period after vaccination is required.

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

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 exporting country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet. or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine batch, and validity dates
  • Microchip implantation certificate or documentation

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50, health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Ferrets from free-tier origins (Andorra, San Marino, Vatican City) follow the same Russian federal rules as other pets. Ferrets are not covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so Russia applies its own rules.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

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 exporting country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet. or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine batch, and validity dates
  • Microchip implantation certificate or documentation

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50, health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50. No titer test or import permit is required for this tier. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Ferrets from low-risk origins (most of Europe, US, UK, Japan, Australia) follow the same Russian federal rules as other pets. Ferrets are not covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so Russia applies its own rules.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

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 exporting country, endorsed by the national veterinary authority · valid 5 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Minimum age: 3 months

Documents checklist

  • Import permit issued by Rosselkhoznadzor prior to travel
  • International veterinary health certificate (form No. 1 Vet. or equivalent) issued within 5 days of departure
  • Rabies vaccination certificate showing microchip number, vaccine batch, and validity dates
  • FAVN/RFFIT rabies titer test result from an approved laboratory (≥0.5 IU/ml)
  • Microchip implantation certificate or documentation

Rough budget

Approximate costs: microchip $30–50, health certificate $100–200, rabies vaccination $20–50, FAVN titer test $100–250, import permit $50–150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Rosselkhoznadzor.

Ferrets from high-risk origins (CDC-flagged high-risk for dog rabies, e.g., Thailand, most of Africa, South Asia, Middle East) require a rabies titer test and an import permit. Ferrets are not covered by the EU Pet Travel Scheme, so Russia applies its own rules.

Rosselkhoznadzor Russia

Frequently asked questions

Russian regulations do not set a specific numerical limit for ferrets as pets, but non-commercial import is generally limited to 2 pets per traveller. If you bring more than 2, the shipment may be considered commercial and require additional permits and veterinary inspections. Confirm with Rosselkhoznadzor before travel.
No. Russia does not exempt emotional support or service animals from import requirements. All ferrets, regardless of role, must meet the same rabies vaccination, microchip, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit rules. Airlines may allow them in the cabin, but border veterinary control will still require full documentation.
Ferrets from high-risk countries (e.g., Thailand, most of Africa) must have a rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) with a result of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The test must be done at least 90 days after rabies vaccination and at least 90 days before import. The test is valid for 2 years if rabies vaccination is kept current.
Yes. A microchip conforming to ISO 11784/11785 is required for identification. The microchip must be implanted before rabies vaccination, and the microchip number must appear on all documents. If your ferret already has a non-ISO microchip, you may need to carry a reader or have a new ISO chip implanted.
The international veterinary health certificate must be issued within 5 days of departure. It must be issued by an official government veterinarian and endorsed by the national veterinary authority of the exporting country. The certificate must state that the ferret is healthy and has been vaccinated against rabies.
No. Russia does not require quarantine for ferrets with valid documentation. However, if documents are incomplete or the ferret shows signs of illness, it may be detained for veterinary inspection at the border. Ensure all paperwork is complete before travel.
No. Russia does not impose breed restrictions on ferrets. All ferrets are treated the same under import rules. However, some airlines may have restrictions on brachycephalic animals, but ferrets are not typically affected.

Good to know

The Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance (Rosselkhoznadzor) is the authority. All dogs entering Russia must be accompanied by an international veterinary passport or a veterinary certificate issued by the exporting country's official veterinary service. Electronic pre-notification via the Rosselkhoznadzor 'Argus' system is often required by the airline or border post. The 5-pet limit applies to non-commercial movement; above that, commercial import rules and permits apply. Confirm current requirements with Rosselkhoznadzor or the Russian embassy in your origin country before travel.

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 Russia, 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 Russia's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.