Regulations – Chapter 12 – Entry Requirements

Identification

Official individual identification is an approved identification device under federal requirements that is tamper-proof and uniquely identifies the animal to the premises on which it was identified. Examples include:

1. Official 840 tags (radio-frequency identification [RFID] tags or visual)
2. For Exhibition Purposes Only
   1. Official individual animal registration identification accompanied by registration papers

Official individual identification is required and shall be listed on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection for the following classes of cattle and bison:

1. Breeding Beef Cattle
2. All Dairy Cattle
3. All Exhibition Cattle
1. Exhibition Cattle may use animal registration number if accompanied by registration papers unless
2. Entered into a sale, in which case Official Identification Tags must be used

Official Individual Identification is exempted for the following classes of cattle and bison

1. Animals Moving Directly to Slaughter
2. Animals Moving to an Approved Tagging Site
3. Animals Moving to an Approved Stockyard

Adopted August 19, 2022, Amended November 17, 2025.

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3

Bovine Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI)  Requirement

Lactating Dairy Cattle Entry Permit Required

Cattle from a farm with cows positive for Bovine Avian Influenza Virus (HPAI) are not allowed entry into Mississippi unless permitted by the State Veterinarian.

Negative test for Influenza A virus at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory using an NAHLN approved assay

• Milk samples: Samples to be collected include milk/udder secretions from individual cows by approved veterinarian or personnel. Each quarter is sampled and combined into one sample for submission to the laboratory. Submissions must be between 3-10 ml of milk per animal.
• Pooling of milk samples can be done only at the laboratory.
• For groups/lots of 30 or fewer animals moving interstate, all animals being moved must be tested. If more than 30 animals are moving interstate, then only 30 animals total must be tested. 
• Sample collection and testing must take place no more than seven (7) days prior to interstate movement.

OR, Originate from a Monitored Unaffected Herd as part of the USDA Dairy Herd Status Program, and notate this on the CVI

Amended November 17, 2025

Brucellosis

The following requirements must be met for cattle to be eligible to enter Mississippi.

Cattle originating from states classified as:

1. Free States/Accredited Free Herds

There are no test requirements. No permit is required.

1. Non Free State or Area
   1. Test eligible cattle from non-quarantined herds (excluding certified brucellosis free herds) may enter Mississippi provided the cattle have been tested and are negative to the official brucellosis test within 30 days prior to entry, and are individually officially identified on an official health certificate. Permit needed
   2. Steers and spayed heifers from any herd and official calfhood vaccinates of the dairy breeds under 20 months of age, and official vaccinates of the beef breeds under 24 months of age, which are not parturient or post parturient, from non-quarantined herds, can enter without test restrictions.

Amended: August 19, 2022.

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3

Tuberculosis

All cattle over 6 mos. of age will be required to be negative to an official tuberculosis test within 30 days prior to date of shipment. Exemptions to Testing:

1. Beef Cattle from an Accredited Free State or Herd
2. Dairy Cattle from an Accredited Free Herd
3. Dairy Cattle for Exhibition Only (60 day test allowed)
4. Dairy Cattle Direct to Slaughter
5. Steers or Spayed Heifers

Amended 3/2010 and August 19, 2022.

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3

Trichomoniasis

1. No bull that has tested positive for Bovine Trichomoniasis (Tritrichomonas foetus) shall be brought into this state for any purpose whatsoever except to go directly to slaughter and must be on a VS 1-27 form.
2. No bull may be brought into this state without being accompanied by a negative test for Trichomoniasis except for the following animals:
1. Exhibition and rodeo bulls that are temporarily in the state only for the purpose of the event and will be leaving the state after the event
2. Bulls consigned to go directly to slaughter;
3. Virgin bulls with accompanying statement which may be written on the CVI or be an official state form.
4. Bulls to be castrated on arrival with permit.
3. A bull that is brought into this state without being accompanied by a negative test for Trichomoniasis shall not be commingled with any cow unless the bull is tested and found to be negative for Trichomoniasis prior to commingling.
4. All bulls tested for Trichomoniasis, whether in-state or to be brought into this state, shall be identified by one or more of the following means prior to importation: a. U.S.D.A. official permanent ID to include but not limited to
1. USDA NUES ear tag;
2. official 840 radio frequency identification device (RFID);
3. official 840 flap or bangle tag.
5. Virgin bulls. A virgin bull is a bull less than 18 months of age in which only one permanent central incisor teeth is in wear are not present and that has never been commingled with breeding females. Virgin bulls, other than exhibition and rodeo bulls, brought into this state shall, in addition to any other required documentation, be accompanied by a certification of virgin status signed by the owner of the bull, or the owner’s representative or a duly authorized veterinarian. The certification shall include the bull’s individual identification. If the owner seeking to import the virgin bull into this state acquired the bull from a breeder or another owner then a certification of virgin status signed by the breeder and each prior owner of the bull, or their representative must also accompany the bull. (See Trichomoniasis Regulation for full instructions.)

Amended 2010, May 11, 2020 and August 19, 2022.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Equines entering Mississippi for any purpose must be accompanied by:

1. An official interstate health certificate issued by a licensed accredited veterinarian, or state or federal veterinarian showing the name, breed, registration number, if any, tattoo or brand, if any, sex, age, color and markings of each horse listed on the certificate. Name of laboratory, laboratory number, date of test, and test results for each horse must be recorded on the health certificate.
2. Record of physical examination of each animal, verifying animal to be free of symptoms of any infectious, contagious, or communicable disease.
3. Officially recognized Equine Passport may be used in lieu of Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
4. An official copy of the official laboratory test for Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins test), certifying the animal to be negative to test within the past 12 months.
   Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

All swine must be accompanied by an official health certificate and a permit prior to movement obtained with the number of the permit shown on the certificate. All swine must be individually identified with official identification on the health certificate, with the exception of entry for exhibition only, in which case registration identification along with registration papers are allowed, and must originate from herds that have not had an infectious or communicable disease within the past 90 days prior to movement, and this statement written on the health certificate. In addition, the statement: “To the best of my knowledge, swine represented on this certificate have not originated from a premises known to be affected by Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea virus (PEDv), and have not been exposed to PEDv within the last 30 days.”

Amended April 16, 2014 and August 19, 2022.

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3

Brucellosis

All gilts, sows, and boars six (6) months of age and over for breeding or show purposes must be negative to an official brucellosis test made within 30 days immediately preceding the date of entry. The exceptions are swine on a show circuit when 60 days will be allowed, or swine that originate from a validated brucellosis free herd or from a Swine Brucellosis Free State.

Pseudorabies

All gilts, sows, and boars six (6) months of age and over for breeding or show purposes must be negative to an official pseudorabies test made within 30 days immediately preceding the date of entry. The exceptions are swine on a show circuit when 60 days will be allowed, or swine that originate from a validated Pseudorabies Validated/Qualified Herd or from a Swine Pseudorabies Stage 5 State.

Amended August 19, 2022.

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3

All swine for immediate slaughter shall be consigned to a recognized slaughtering establishment on either a health certificate or permit or waybill or inspection certificate from federally inspected stockyards. In either instance, a copy shall accompany swine and a copy shall be forwarded to the State Veterinarian of Mississippi.

Amended November 17, 2025.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

All sheep and goats, except those for immediate slaughter shall be accompanied by an official certificate of veterinary inspection (OCVI) and shall comply with the following:

1. Intact sheep and goats require individual identification by an official USDA Scrapie eartag, brand, or tattoo recorded on the OCVI.
2. “I certify these animals are free of clinical signs of the diseases contagious footrot, keratoconjunctivitis, contagious ecthyma (Orf), scabies and lice and that the sexually intact animals represented on this form are not known to be scrapie-positive, suspect, high risk, or exposed, and did not originate from a known infected, source, exposed, or noncompliant flock.”
3. When originating from an area known to have scabies, must be dipped within ten (10) days immediately preceding the date of entry in an USDA approved dip, and maintained on absolutely clean premises until delivered to the final destination. Dairy goats and dairy sheep maintained separate from other sheep and goats are exempt from dipping when certified free of scabies on OCVI.
4. Dairy goats and dairy sheep over 6 months of age must be negative to an official tuberculin test and an official brucellosis test made within 30 days immediately preceding date of entry. Dairy Sheep and Goats entering for show purposes ONLY are exempt from the Brucellosis and TB Test requirement. Animals that are sold in public sale or private treaty and remain in Mississippi must meet the Brucellosis and TB Test requirement.
5. All sheep and goats for immediate slaughter shall be consigned to a recognized slaughtering establishment on either an OCVI or permit or waybill or inspection certification from federally inspected stockyards. In either instance, a copy shall accompany sheep and goats and a copy shall be forwarded to the State Veterinarian of Mississippi.
6. Animals from “non-consistent” states may only enter if from a Scrapie Certified Flock with prior entry permit from the state veterinarian.

Amended October 24, 2013

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Rabies Vaccination. All dogs, cats, and ferrets three (3) months or older transported or moved into the state for any purpose shall be accompanied by proof of current rabies vaccination per guidelines outlined in the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians Rabies Compendium. Proof of vaccination must be provided via a rabies vaccination certificate signed by an attending, licensed veterinarian. Mississippi Law requires all dogs and cats to be vaccinated for rabies, using three (3) year vaccine following Rabies Compendium guidelines. For purposes of entry, Mississippi will accept manufacturer recommendations but animals must comply with the three (3) year immunity vaccine requirement if staying in the state or if the animal requires a booster to remain current. Dogs, cats, and ferrets under three (3) months of age may be admitted without rabies vaccination to be quarantined until vaccination at three (3) months of age.

Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. Dogs, cats, and ferrets for exhibition, change of ownership, adoption or unaccompanied by owner, must have an official Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued by an accredited veterinarian with the following compliance:

1. Apparently healthy and free from all contagious and infectious diseases and recent exposure thereto.
2. Did not originate within an area under quarantine for rabies, or exposed. Dogs, cats, and ferrets accompanied by owner (not for purposes of exhibition, change of ownership, adoption etc.) are not required to have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

(Amended November 20, 2019)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

See General Requirements.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

No ratite shall enter Mississippi unless accompanied by a prior permit issued by the State Veterinarian or his designated representative. Such permits shall be issued only upon certification by a licensed, accredited veterinarian that such birds are free from:

1. Ticks.
2. Salmonella pullorum as determined by a testing procedure, approved by the State Veterinarian, conducted within 30 days of shipment
3. Avian Influenza as determined by a testing procedure, approved by the State Veterinarian, conducted within 30 days of shipment. Each bird should be identified on the health certificate with either an official United States Department of Agriculture leg band or micro chip.
4. In addition to the aforementioned requirements, the Board of Animal Health recommends that all ratite birds be vaccinated against Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Any and all chicks, poults, hatching eggs, and breeding stock shipped or transported into Mississippi must be produced from flocks which meet the U. S. Pullorum-typhoid Clean Mycoplasma gallisepticum, and Mycoplasma synoviae requirements as outlined in the rules of the National Poultry Improvement Plan and the National Turkey Improvement Plan.

Avian Influenza:

1. All poultry and waterfowl- (including direct to slaughter) requires a negative PCR or  AGID of 20 birds per flock within 7 days of shipment. If the flock is a participant in the NPIP AI Clean, or part of a recognized State Monitoring Plan that is equivalent, then this requirement is waived.
2. Pet birds susceptible to AI may not enter from an affected area without a negative test.
3. No poultry, waterfowl or susceptible pet birds may enter Mississippi from an affected area without a prior permit.

All birds, including poultry and hatching eggs, originating from any state in which Avian Influenza (A.I.) has been diagnosed are prohibited entry into Mississippi , until all quarantines, either State and/or Federal, are released in said State.

Shipping, hauling, trucking, carrying or in any manner transporting live or unprocessed poultry or other birds, hatching eggs, unprocessed eggs, rendered poultry byproducts, egg flats, poultry coops, cages, crates, and any other used poultry equipment from states in which a reportable, contagious disease, such as, but not limited to, Avian Influenza (A.I.), Infectious Laryngotracheitis (ILT) or Exotic Newcastle Disease (END), Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MS) or Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) or Salmonella pullorum has been diagnosed, are prohibited entry into Mississippi until all State and/or Federal quarantines are released in said State. Poultry that have been exposed to said diseases may not enter the state without a prior permit from the state veterinarian. Said permit shall be based on a science based risk assessment. All live poultry transporting vehicles entering Mississippi must have a certificate showing it has been cleaned and disinfected at the place or origin, as specified in CFR, Volume 8, 1983, Section 71.10. The cleaning and disinfecting certificate must be signed by a State or Federal Veterinarian, or by a licensed accredited Veterinarian, or by a qualified person designated by the State Veterinarian. Any materials used in the shipping of eggs into the State of Mississippi , must be new, or cleaned and disinfected plastic flats. In the event contaminated materials are found, the entire lot will disposed of immediately at the expense of the shipper.

Amended November 17, 2025.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Llama- is defined as the generic term for three of the South American camelids- (llama, alpaca, guanaco)

1. General Requirements for Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
2. Entry Permit required.
3. In addition, individual identification is required. Individual identification includes age, sex, color, registry name and number, and permanent identification.(USDA ear tag, tattoo or microchip) of each animal being transported. If microchip is used, a reader must be supplied by the owner. A color photograph with a notarized letter verifying that the animal in the photograph is the animal represented on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection will be accepted as a form of individual identification.

(AMENDED NOVEMBER 4, 2011.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Definitions:

1. Bison: American, European bison and exotic cattle must meet the same entry requirements as domestic cattle.
2. Exotics:
1. Exotic Livestock – are defined as grass-eating or plant-eating, single hooved or cloven-hooved mammals that are not indigenous to this state and are known as ungulates, including animals from the swine, horse, tapir, camel, llama, rhinoceros, elephant, deer, and antelope families. It is illegal to import wild or feral swine into Mississippi .
2. Camelidae – are defined as members of the family of animals which includes camels, lamas, and vicunas. The domestic members of the genus lama includes the llama, alpaca, and guanaco.
3. Exotic bovidae – are defined as non-indigenous members of the family of animals which includes water buffalo, gnu (wildebeest), addax, antelope, and nilgai (among others).
4. Cervidae – are further defined as wild or captive members of the family of animals which includes deer, elk, moose, caribou, reindeer and the subfamily musk deer. It is illegal to import white-tail deer into Mississippi.

Requirements:

1. A prior permit for entry and a certificate of veterinary inspection with complete name and address of consignee and consignor are required on all exotics entering the state. Owners of exotic livestock in Mississippi are required to have an “Exotic Livestock Permit” issued by the Board of Animal Health.
2. All animals shall be officially tagged or permanently marked in such a way that they will be identifiable as the animals listed on the health certificate. The accredited veterinarian must state on the certificate that the exotic livestock have been inspected and are free of external parasites and evidence of contagious and communicable disease.
3. Also cervidae 6 months of age and over must be tested negative for brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry and tested negative to tuberculosis with a cervical tuberculosis test within 30 days prior to entry.
4. Importing CWD Susceptible Animals into Mississippi.

White-tailed Deer, Elk, Red Deer, Reindeer, Moose, Sika, Mule Deer and Black-tailed Deer and crosses of those animals are considered CWD susceptible animals and are not allowed entry into Mississippi, with the exception of permits for cervids for exhibition purposes only. Additionally, it is illegal to import white-tail deer into Mississippi.

1. In addition, exotic bovidae 6 months of age and over must be tested negative for brucellosis within 30 days prior to entry and negative to a tuberculosis test within 30 days prior to entry.
2. In addition, exotic swine must be tested negative to a brucellosis and a pseudorabies test within 30 days prior to entry
3. In addition, camelidae used for milking must be tested negative to a brucellosis and an axillary tuberculosis test for within 30 days prior to entry on all animals 6 months of age and older.
4. In addition exotic equine, donkeys, asses, burros and zebras must be in compliance with domestic equine requirements..

Amended July 11, 2012, July 2020, and November 17, 2025.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

Definition: Non-human primates (NHP) refers to the Order Primates except for Humans.

Prohibited From Entry: All primates listed in the inherently dangerous animals list are regulated by Mississippi Department of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks, unless permitted by them.

Requirements

1. A prior permit for entry and a certificate of veterinary inspection with complete name and address of consignee and consignor are required on all Non-human primates entering the state
2. Negative Tuberculosis within 12 months
3. Negative Herpes Complex Test , All macaques ( Macaca spp) shall be initially tested for Herpes B virus and, thereafter, be required only in the event of a possible exposure to the virus by humans. All medical records and results of such testing shall be maintained by the permittee and made available for inspection by MBAH personnel. Any test results indicating a positive reaction to a TB test must be reported immediately to the MS Board of Animal Health, the MS State Department of Health, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

See General Requirements

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

All wild (non-domesticated) animals, including native or exotic game animals shall be certified by a qualified veterinarian to be free of communicable or infectious disease. Such certification shall accompany said animal(s) being imported into Mississippi . Prior entry permit required.

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

See General Requirements, Entry Permit Required

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §69-15-3.

See General Requirements.  Entry Permit required for non-domesticated animals.

Source: Miss. Code Ann. §69-15-3.

Amended November 17, 2025.

The Board will conduct an oral proceeding on a proposed rule or amendment if requested by a political subdivision, an agency or ten (10) persons in writing within twenty (20) days after the filing of the notice of the proposed rule.

(Adopted July 7, 2005.)

Source: Miss. Code Ann . §25-43-3.104.

No hoofed animals may enter the State of Mississippi which originate from a premises currently quarantined for vesicular stomatitis.

All hoofed animals entering the State of Mississippi from a county which contains a premises currently quarantined for vesicular stomatitis, shall be examined by an accredited veterinarian to determine whether they are free from signs of vesicular stomatitis within 5 days prior to arrival into the State of Mississippi, and shall be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection with the following written statement signed by that accredited veterinarian:

“All animals identified on this Certificate of Veterinary Inspection have been examined by me and found to be free from signs of vesicular stomatitis. Owner provided history which indicates that during the past 30 days, these animals have not been located within a facility quarantined for vesicular stomatitis.”

A permit shall also be required and can be obtained by calling 601-359-1170 during business hours.

(Amended March 3, 2001, August 8, 2016, November 20, 2019)

Source: Miss. Code Ann., §69-15-3