Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

​This information is current as of May 20, 2020.

There are currently no changes to Wisconsin import requirements due to COVID-19.

Importing sheep and goats from outside Wisconsin

These are the requirements for domestic sheep and goats. For import requirements for nondomestic sheep and goats, see exotic ruminants.

Required:

• Certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI) with complete physical origin and destination address
  
• Official identification written on the CVI (one of the following):
  
• Scrapie tag (flock or serial)
• Official USDA RFID 840 tag (15-digit number beginning with "840")
• Complete and legible breed association or registration tattoo, accompanied by registration papers in owner's name
• Tattoo with both a USDA assigned flock number and a unique individual ID number
• USDA-approved implanted microchips when implanted in the animal and either registered by a breed association with the number recorded by the registry on the registration certificate accompanying the animal, or for sheep participating in the Scrapie Flock Certification Program
• Import permits​ for goats from Michigan's Modified Accredited (MA) Zone (see below) and sheep or goats that are rodeo stock or part of a multi-species menagerie, such as a petting zoo
• If there is a current vesicular stomatitis diagnosis or quarantine in the state of origin, effective May 30, 2014, Wisconsin no longer requires a permit or special statements.
  

Not required:

• Import permit (except for goats from Michigan's MA Zone, rodeo stock animals, or animals from a menagerie, such as a petting zoo)
  
• Tests or statements (except for goats from Michigan's MA Zone)
  

Goats from Michigan's Modified Accredited (MA) Zone only (this includes Montmorency, Alpena, Alcona, and Oscoda counties)

In addition to the CVI and official identification requirements noted above, goats from Michigan's MA Zone need the following:

• Animal(s) must originate from a herd that has had a negative whole-herd TB test in the last 12 months for all animals one year and older. The date and result of the whole-herd test must be on the CVI.
  
• All individual animals, regardless of age, must have a negative individual TB test within 60 days before import to Wisconsin.
  
• If the whole-herd TB test was less than 60 days before the import date, and every individual animal being imported was included in the whole-herd test, the whole-herd test can serve as both required tests. Call 608-224-4874 to find out if your test situation qualifies.
• If the whole-herd test was more than 60 days before the import date, every individual animal regardless of age imported must have had a negative TB test in the 60 days before import.
• If an individual animal being imported to Wisconsin was not part of the whole-herd test because it was too young at the time of the test, it needs a negative TB test in the 60 days before import.
• If an individual animal being imported to Wisconsin was not part of the whole-herd test because it was not part of the herd at the time of the test, please call (608) 224-4874.
• All goats entering Wisconsin from Michigan will be quarantined on arrival and require a TB test between 60 and 90 days after arrival.
  
• If the animals are attending a fair, exhibition or sale, the animals must return to their state of origin after the show to avoid the quarantine and retest requirement. The CVI must include the following statement: "These animals are attending the show only and return to the state of origin after the show." For more information, call (608) 224-4874.
  
• Goats from the MA zone in Michigan are not eligible to enter Wisconsin to be sold at a consignment sale or auction.
• An import permit​ is required.

Importing Directly to Slaughter

Sheep and goats going directly to slaughter must have official individual ID, but do not need a CVI. However, animals that are designated as slaughter animals but are not being sent directly to a slaughter facility must meet the regular import requirements as outlined above.

Moving sheep and goats within Wisconsin

Required:

• Neutered sheep or goats under 12 months old
  
• Sheep or goats under 12 months old that is shipped directly to a slaughtering establishment for slaughter.  (A market is not a slaughter establishment.)
  

Not required:

• A cur​rent certificate of veterinary inspection (CVI)
  

For additional requirements for sheep and goats attending a fair or exhibition, please visit our Fairs, Shows and other Special Events page.

Exporting sheep and goats out of Wisconsin

Except as noted below, Wisconsin does not have specific export requirements for sheep or goats. Please contact the state or nation of destination to learn the import requirements.

​For goats going to a show or sale in Michigan's Modified Accredited Zone with the intention of returning to Wisconsin, call the Wisconsin Division of Animal Health import coordinator at (608) 224-4874 for more information.