General import rules

• "Pending" official ID is not acceptable.
• Test results must be current and complete, not out-of-date or "pending."
• If an animal has more than one form of official identification, all the IDs must be listed on the certificate of veterinary inspection.
• The rules for American bison imports are identical to the rules for bovine beef breeds.
• If you wish to import animals from several different states, or if the animals have been in this state for less than 120 days, please call the import coordinator at (608) 224-4874.
• No M-branded bovines/cattle from Mexico may be imported to Wisconsin except directly to a slaughter facility.
• For bovines that are part of a rodeo, circus, or menagerie, please visit the Circuses, Rodeos, and Menageries page.
• For animals that are an exotic ruminant species, please visit the Exotic Species page.
• Out-of-state organizers and Wisconsin participants of consignment sales that may include animals from Michigan's Modified Accredited and Modified Accredited Advanced zones should visit the Michigan MA/MAA bovine import page or call the import coordinator at (608) 224-4874 to discuss tuberculosis testing and import requirements.
• If there is a current vesicular stomatitis diagnosis or quarantine in this state, visit our vesicular stomatitis page to learn about the special import requirements.

Breeding cattle OR Animals attending fairs/exhibitions

• Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical destination address required.
• Sexually intact animals of any age, including calves at side, must have at least one form of official identification.
• All cattle and bison of any age or sex including steers moving for rodeos, recreational events, shows, or exhibitions, must have one form of official identification.
• The following are official ID: 
• USDA metal ear tag number that are part of the National Uniform Eartagging System (NUES) (starts with state 2-digit code, also known as “brite” tag)
• USDA Animal Identification Number tag (includes the visual number and/or RFID) - 15 digit number starting with 840
• American ID tag - 8 or 9 digit number prefaced with "USA"
• Manufacturer-coded RFID tag - 15 digit number with the first three digits/letters USA, 980, 982 or 985 (accepted as ID when applied before March 11, 2015)
• No TB tests required.
• No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required.
• No import permit required.
• Animals attending fairs or exhibitions may need to meet additional requirements. Contact the show organizers for more information.

Feeder cattle

• Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical destination address required.
• All dairy breed feeder cattle of any age, including steers, born after March 11, 2013, must have official identification (see section above). The CVI must include the official individual ID for all intact animals. For steers, either the official ID or a statement indicating the animals are officially identified is acceptable.
  
• All beef breed feeder cattle of any age, excluding steers, must have official identification (see section above). The CVI must include the official ID for all intact animals. For steers, a statement indicating the animals do not belong to a class of cattle or bison to which the official identification requirements apply should be added.
• A backtag will work as ID only for animals going directly to slaughter.
• No TB tests required.
• No other tests, vaccinations, or statements required.
• No import permit required.

Veal calves

• Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical destination address required.
• Veal calves of dairy breeds must have at least one form of official individual ID regardless of age or sex.
• Veal calves of beef breeds do not need official ID but must be identified as veal calves on the CVI.
• No TB tests required.
• No import permit required.