Traveling with Pets
Effective 12/16/2019 a Health Certificate for Dogs and Cats is no longer needed for driving into Mexico
Driving to Mexico with Pets
Pets under the age of three months are not permitted to travel with you to Mexico.
For dogs you must have a certificate showing they have had a rabies vaccination that is current and issued at least 30 days prior to arrival in Mexico. No vaccinations paperwork is needed for cats but they will be subject to visual inspection at point of entry.
It is a good idea to bring proof of ownership, registration paperwork. All pets are subject to inspection at ports of entry into Mexico and into the U.S. and may be subject to further inspection if they appear ill.
You do not have to pay customs import fees if you have three or fewer pets with you. Four or more pets and you must pay a fee of $1,817.00 pesos (about $150 USD)
The U.S. currently, does not require proof of rabies for pets returning from Mexico.
Only dogs and cats are considered pets by Mexico.
Flying to Mexico
Pets under the age of three months are not permitted to travel with you to Mexico.
You are required to have a Health Certificate for pets flying into Baja. Check with your airline for their requirements before flying. The certificate is issued by your veterinarian and must be on letterhead and issued with eight days before you enter Mexico. The following information must be included:
- The date and expiration of most recent rabies vacation
- Owners name and address
- Description of pet: species, age, sex
- That the pet has been examined and is free of contagious diseases
- The veterinarians license number
Dogs must also have a certificate showing they have had a rabies vaccination and that it is current and issued within 30 days of your entry into Mexico
Both dogs and cats need to have proof from the veterinarian that they are free from internal and external parasites (tapeworm & ticks) and that they have been treated against them in the past six months.
No vaccination paperwork is needed for cats, but they will be subject to visual inspection at point of entry.
You will need the original Health Certificate and a copy of the certificated at your point of entry. You must visit the Mexican Animal and Plant Health Inspection office (OISA) to contact the official personnel working with SENASICA. Once these have been presented and they have been inspected, an Animal Health import certificated will be issued for your pet(s).
It is a good idea to bring proof of ownership, registration paperwork. All pets are subject to inspection at ports of entry into Mexico and into the U.S. and may be subject to further inspection if they appear ill.
Your pets must be in a clean and clear travel carrier with no other toys, treats, beds or other objects in the carrier. If the carrier is dirty or contains anything other than the pet, a disinfection will be applied, removing all that is inside the carrier for proper destruction.
You do not have to pay customs import fees if you have three or fewer pets with you. Four or more pets and you must pay a fee of $1,817.00 pesos (about $150 USD)