Livestock Movement Requirements, Permitting, and Regulations

Missouri’s stringent animal health regulations and rigorous disease testing help keep Missouri free from costly and threatening livestock diseases. Animals imported into Missouri must meet our import requirements to ensure the safety and health of both the animal and the Missouri livestock industry.

Missouri Movement Requirements

If you are importing animals into Missouri, moving animals within Missouri, or exhibiting animals, you can find movement requirements in our Animal Movement Regulations. Regulations relevant for animals moving into Missouri can be found on pages 4-9 and are listed by species. For animals moving within Missouri, see pages 9-13. For exhibition requirements, see pages 13-18.

Alternatively, you can find our import requirements, organized by species, at InterstateLivstock.com

MDA can provide specific information on movement requirements for any animal species Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CST) at (573) 751-3377.

General Information

All animals entering Missouri shall be accompanied by an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI, health certificate) issued within 30 days prior to movement into Missouri unless moving to an approved slaughter facility or to an approved livestock market.

All health certificates must have the physical address of livestock being moved (No post office boxes) for both the consignor and consignee.

Missouri only accepts the following electronic CVI formats: eCVI, GVL, VET-CVI, Vet Sentry, VSPS. Missouri accepts most paper forms supplied by a state’s animal health officials, as long as they are provided with unique certificate numbers.

APHIS form 7001 is not an acceptable document for interstate certificates of veterinary inspection for Missouri imports.

Missouri Movement Permits

In some instances, permits are required to import animals into Missouri. Those instances are referenced in the regulations where applicable. If you have questions regarding the animals you are importing into Missouri, or need a permit, call (573) 751-3377. Out-of-state veterinarians can use our online permitting process. This link will take you to a log-in page. If you already have an account, log in and request a permit. If you do not have an account, you will need to register for one. Once you register, you will receive an email that will ask you to create a password to set up your account. Issued permits are only valid for 15 days.

What information is required on a permit?

  • Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (health paper) number
  • Number and specie of animal(s)
  • Official ID Type (if required)
  • Age and sex of animals
  • Inspection date
  • Anticipated date of arrival
  • Test dates and results if required for the movement
  • Consignee/origin name
  • Origin physical address
  • Consignor/destination name
  • Destination physical address
  • Purpose of movement
  • Issuing veterinarian name and contact phone number

Which livestock need a permit?

  • All rodeo stock
  • All dairy cattle and dairy cattle crosses
  • Calves 60 days-of-age or less, not accompanied by dam
  • Cattle from a Designated Surveillance Area (DSA)
  • All Cattle originating from a state having less than tuberculosis free status
  • All cervids – permits cannot be issued online. Must call the office for permits.
  • All poultry or hatched eggs
  • All Mexican or Canadian (Alberta and Saskatchewan if not certified by CFIA) origin cattle
  • All swine
  • AZA Zoo to AZA Zoo movement

Missouri Exhibition Requirements

Exhibition Rule Change Resources

Animal Health Laws and Regulations