Pet Export from Turkey to Russia
– Requirements & Regulations

This page summarises the official veterinary requirements of the Russian Federation for exporting pets from Turkey to Russia for non-commercial purposes (personal pets, relocation, family travel). When the rules below are met, no separate import permit or quarantine decision from Rosselkhoznadzor is required for up to two animals per owner.

All Turkish veterinary documents (pet passports and certificates) must be issued and/or endorsed by the competent authority in Turkey – T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry) or veterinarians authorised by it.

General Import Requirements for Dogs and Cats

Microchip

A microchip is mandatory for all pets entering Russia. It must:

• Be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
• Comply with ISO 11784/11785 standards.
• Have its number recorded in the pet passport and/or the veterinary certificate.

Mandatory Vaccinations for Dogs

Under Russian rules, each dog imported into the Russian Federation must be vaccinated against the following diseases:

• Rabies
• Canine distemper
• Infectious canine hepatitis (adenovirus)
• Parvoviral infection
• Adenoviral infections (CAV-2)
• Leptospirosis (if the dog has not been treated with dihydrostreptomycin or an equivalent licensed substance)

Validity of vaccinations for dogs:

• All non-rabies vaccines listed above must not be older than 12 months at the time of departure.
• If any of these vaccines were not given within the last 12 months, revaccination must take place no later than 20 days before departure.

Rabies vaccination for dogs:

• The rabies vaccine must be valid at the time of entry into Russia.
• Russia accepts rabies vaccines with a revaccination interval longer than one year if:
  • The issuing veterinarian confirms in the certificate that the immunity period has not expired, or
  • A laboratory test confirms rabies antibody levels of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
• Puppies under 3 months of age may be imported without rabies vaccination under Russian rules.

Mandatory Vaccinations for Cats

For cats, the following vaccinations are required:

• Rabies
• Panleukopenia (feline panleukopenia)

Validity of vaccinations for cats:

• Cats vaccinated against panleukopenia with a vaccine that has a revaccination interval longer than 12 months cannot be imported if 12 months or more have passed since vaccination.
• If the cat has not been vaccinated against panleukopenia within the last 12 months, the vaccine must be administered no later than 20 days before departure.

Rabies vaccination for cats:

• Russia accepts rabies vaccines for cats with a revaccination interval longer than one year, provided that:
  • The issuing veterinarian confirms that the immunity period has not expired, or
  • Laboratory testing confirms rabies antibody levels of at least 0.5 IU/ml.
• Kittens under 3 months of age may also be imported without rabies vaccination under Russian rules.

Turkish International Pet Passport or Veterinary Certificate

Pets exported from Turkey to Russia may travel with a Turkish International Pet Passport or with a veterinary certificate issued in Turkey. In both cases, the document must be prepared by a veterinarian and endorsed in accordance with the rules of T.C. Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry).

If your pet has a Turkish International Pet Passport, it must include at least the following records:

• Microchip number and implantation date.
• Rabies vaccination: date, manufacturer, batch number and validity period.
• For dogs: vaccinations against canine distemper, infectious hepatitis/adenovirus, parvovirus and leptospirosis.
• For cats: vaccination against panleukopenia.
• Parasite treatments (internal and external) with dates and product names.
• A clinical health declaration made by an official veterinarian within 14 days before departure.

If the pet does not have a valid Turkish passport, a Veterinary Certificate is required:

• Issued by a licensed veterinarian in Turkey.
• Endorsed by the official veterinary authorities under Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı, where required.
• Must contain the following information:
  • Identification of the animal (including microchip number and description).
  • Rabies vaccination (date, manufacturer, batch number, expiry date).
  • Other mandatory vaccinations according to Russian rules (for dogs or cats, as listed above).
  • Details of parasite treatment (internal and external).
  • A statement that the animal is clinically healthy and free from signs of infectious disease.

Form 5A (if applicable)

In some cases, Russian pets temporarily exported to Turkey may travel on a Russian Form 5A (or its updated equivalent) issued in Russia before departure. This form can allow re-entry within 90 days without issuing entirely new documents. If the form has expired, new veterinary documents must be prepared before returning to Russia.

Parasite Treatment (Deworming & External Parasites)

Parasite treatment is mandatory for all pets entering Russia. It must:

• Include treatment against internal parasites (deworming).
• Include treatment against external parasites (fleas, ticks, etc.).
• Be recorded by the veterinarian in the international veterinary passport or in the Form No. 15 certificate (with date, product and veterinarian’s stamp/signature).

Rabies Antibody Test (Titer Test) – Required for Turkey to Russia

For exports from Turkey to Russia, a rabies antibody test (blood titer test) is treated as a mandatory requirement for this route. The test confirms that the rabies vaccination has produced a sufficient level of immunity and provides an additional layer of protection against document or rule misinterpretation.

The rabies antibody test must demonstrate antibody levels of at least 0.5 IU/ml. The result should be issued by an authorised laboratory and attached to the veterinary documents (pet passport and/or veterinary certificate), so that both Turkish and Russian veterinary authorities, as well as airlines and transit points, can verify compliance.

In practice, this blood test significantly reduces the risk of disputes during veterinary checks and is considered an essential part of preparing a pet for travel from Turkey to Russia.

Number of Pets Allowed

Each owner may bring a maximum of two pets (dogs or cats) into Russia for personal use without a special import permit or quarantine decision from Rosselkhoznadzor.

If you plan to bring more than two animals, you will need to obtain prior permission from Rosselkhoznadzor, the Russian veterinary and phytosanitary authority.

Obtaining this authorization independently is extremely difficult due to the complexity of the system and the need to work through the Argus veterinary information system, which is not accessible to private individuals.

For movements involving more than two animals, we recommend using the services of certified agents who specialise in document preparation and authorization procedures for pet importation into Russia.

Important Recommendations

• All documents must be accurately completed to avoid delays or refusal at the border.
• Parasite treatment (deworming and external parasites) is mandatory for all pets, including cats and dogs.
• Keep copies (printed or digital) of all Turkish documents issued under Tarım ve Orman Bakanlığı, as well as the Russian-side forms and certificates.
• Make sure that the rabies blood test result (titer test) clearly shows antibody levels of at least 0.5 IU/ml and is attached to your travel documents.

Our Services

If you are unsure whether your documents, vaccinations and rabies blood test fully comply with Russian rules and practical requirements for this route, we can review everything in advance and help you avoid problems at the border.

• Pet Travel Document Check
• Phone Consultation
• Pet Transportation with a Courier