CIS
Russia
Entering "Russia": what you need
Bringing a dog or cat into Russia from abroad is governed by Rosselkhoznadzor under the unified EAEU rules (Customs Union Commission Decision No. 317, Chapter 15) — not to be confused with exporting a pet that already lives in Russia, covered in the "Leaving the country" block below. A titer test isn't a standalone requirement — it's an alternative when the rabies vaccination falls outside the allowed window.
Vaccinations
Minimum age is 12 weeks. The rabies vaccination must be given no later than 20 days before dispatch, unless already vaccinated within the previous 12 months.
Rabies titer test
Only needed as an alternative, when the rabies vaccination falls outside the allowed 20-day/12-month window: a lab-confirmed antibody titer of ≥ 0.5 IU/ml is then required instead.
Documents
For 1–2 animals accompanying the owner — an international veterinary passport bearing the origin country's competent authority's mark of a clinical exam no more than 14 days before dispatch; no separate import permit or quarantine needed. For 3–5 animals, the owner can use Rosselkhoznadzor's own standing annual import permit, form №1 (accessed via the "Argus" system, not a one-off application). For larger or commercial imports the procedure isn't detailed in public sources — check directly with Rosselkhoznadzor (Russia's agricultural/veterinary watchdog — not Rospotrebnadzor, which handles consumer rights and has nothing to do with pet imports). A microchip isn't required — the law allows bringing in unidentified animals.
Entry notes
No quarantine with a complete document set and up to 2 animals. A microchip isn't required but makes identification easier. Separately, on departure from Russia форма 5a is valid 5 days for the outbound flight itself and lets you bring the same pet back into Russia within 90 days without new paperwork.
Leaving "Russia": the paperwork
This is the country's general departure procedure — it doesn't depend on where you are heading. For arrival requirements, see the destination country's card or the From → To section.
Documents
a veterinary certificate (форма №1) is issued at a state veterinary clinic (СББЖ) at your place of residence no more than 5 days before departure (exam + all vaccines up to date) — only the person who will actually travel with the pet can receive it, a power of attorney isn't accepted. In Moscow and St. Petersburg форма №1 can be exchanged for the international certificate in a single visit at one institution — ВГНКИ (Moscow) or ВНИИЗЖ (St. Petersburg); elsewhere the exchange happens at the departure airport's border veterinary checkpoint (Госветнадзор), usually on the day of or 1–3 days before the flight — budget time, the queue there can take several hours, especially before evening flights. EU countries get a Евросправка, most other countries a форма №5a certificate; EAEU countries need no exchange at all — форма №1 just gets an "export permitted" stamp (see the Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan pages). Only vaccines legally registered in Russia count.
Sources: Россельхознадзор (fsvps.gov.ru) — правила ввоза; ФГИС «Меркурий»; портал Госуслуги (verified Aug 2026)
Verified: August 28, 2026
This information is for reference only and does not replace advice from an embassy, veterinary authority or airline. Rules change — always verify with official sources before you travel. Never give your pet a sedative or sleep medication before a flight without a veterinarian's prescription — pressure changes at altitude can make it fatal.
Hani Walk — walk tracking, a digital pet passport and vaccination reminders, always at hand in the app.