Cattle Imports

Please note: as of 2/15/2020 the agreement between Montana and Idaho to allow use of brands as identification on Certificates of Veterinary Inspection is no longer in effect.

ISDA sets forth requirements for all animals entering the state of Idaho. The definition of cattle in IDAPA 02.04.21 “Rules Governing the Importation of Animals” is “All bovidae, including domestic bison.” Please use this information as a general guide when shipping cattle into Idaho, and don’t hesitate to contact us when you have questions. These requirements only cover animals entering Idaho – please see our export resources if you are shipping animals to another state.

Permits are no longer required when using an approved electronic CVI form. The only approved eCVI forms are those from GlobalVetLink, State of Oregon (Oregon veterinarians only), AgMove (formerly AgView), Vet Sentry, Mi-Corporation, myVetTech and State of Texas. If you are not using one of these forms, normal permit requirements still apply.

In addition to the below requirements, all cattle from Canada require an entry permit and individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Female cattle (intact)

Beef

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
4 months and older require vaccination for brucellosis with their legible tattoo recorded on the CVI. If they are not vaccinated they can only go to approved feedlots or approved livestock markets.
If cattle are not vaccinated for brucellosis, they will require an entry permit.
If animals are moving for show, individual, official identification must be listed on the CVI.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, 18 months and older require individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Dairy

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
4 months and older require vaccination for brucellosis with their legible tattoo recorded on the CVI. If they are not vaccinated they can only go to approved feedlots or approved livestock markets.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 60 days before entering Idaho unless entering an approved feedlot.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Rodeo

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
4 months and older require vaccination for brucellosis with their legible tattoo recorded on the CVI. Unvaccinated calves less than 4 months of age require an entry permit.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 12 months before entering Idaho.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Show

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
4 months and older require vaccination for brucellosis with their legible tattoo recorded on the CVI. If they are not vaccinated they require an entry permit.
Intact dairy breed cattle moving for show require an entry permit.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Bison

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
4 months and older require vaccination for brucellosis with their legible tattoo recorded on the CVI. If they are not vaccinated they can only go to approved feedlots or approved livestock markets.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, 18 months and older require individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Male cattle (intact)

Beef

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
Non-virgin bulls of any age and all bulls 18 months of age or older require a negative trichomoniasis test within 60 days before entering Idaho, otherwise, they can only go to approved feedlots or approved livestock markets. Idaho only accepts pooled trichomoniasis tests when the pooling is conducted at an approved lab.
If animals are moving for show, individual, official identification must be listed on the CVI.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, 18 months and older require individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Dairy

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
Non-virgin bulls of any age and all bulls 18 months of age or older require a negative trichomoniasis test within 60 days before entering Idaho, otherwise, they can only go to approved feedlots or approved livestock markets. Idaho only accepts pooled trichomoniasis tests when the pooling is conducted at an approved lab.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 60 days before entering Idaho unless entering an approved feedlot.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Rodeo

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 12 months before entering Idaho.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Show

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Bison

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, 18 months and older require individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Female cattle (spayed or freemartin)

Beef

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.

Dairy

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
If animals are moving for show, individual, official identification must be listed on the CVI.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, a statement that all animals have individual, official identification.

Rodeo

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 12 months before entering Idaho.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Show

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Bison

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.

Male cattle (castrated)

Beef

CVI with full physical address of destination.
If animals are moving for show, individual, official identification must be listed on the CVI.

Dairy

CVI with full physical address of destination.
Unless entering an approved tagging site, a statement that all animals have individual, official identification.

Rodeo

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
All animals 6 months of age and older are required to have a negative tuberculosis test within 12 months before entering Idaho.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Show

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
Individual, official identification listed on the CVI.

Bison

CVI with the full physical address of the destination.
An entry permit.

Please note that all cattle going directly to an approved slaughter facility to be slaughtered within 3 days are exempt from all of the above requirements.

If you have questions regarding brand inspections for animals entering Idaho, contact the Idaho Brand Board at (208) 884-7070.

Idaho also has a grazing permit program, with agreements between Idaho and seven (7) other states to allow established herds to commute and graze between states with slightly different requirements. If you would like to graze a herd through this program, please see the grazing permit information or call Animal Industries at (208) 332-8540.

A summary of all animal import requirements is available in our Import Brochure, which may be printed out for your offline records.

ISDA Main Office

Office Hours

ISDA Main Office

Office Hours

Cattle Imports

Cattle Imports