MX

Importing Your Pet to Mexico

Relaxed to import
Verification date not recorded. Confirm current requirements with the destination authority.
Prepared by , International Animal Health Consultant

SENASICA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria) inspects every dog and cat on arrival in Mexico and issues the import certificate, the Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI), at its offices at every point of entry. There is no advance import permit. You ask SENASICA staff for the CZI form when you arrive.

SENASICA sets three origin groups. Pets of Canadian origin and provenance need no health certificate or vaccination record, just a physical inspection on arrival. Pets from the US are the same, except that dogs need a document showing they are free of New World screwworm, signed by a USDA-accredited vet within the 5 days before travel. Pets from every other country need a health certificate issued no more than 15 days before arrival.

SENASICA’s page sets no fixed quarantine period for dogs and cats. Where a pet presents a risk, SENASICA decides what measures apply, at the owner’s cost.

Import Requirements

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 5 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

Where your pet travels from

GroupWhat appliesOrigins
CanadaOrigin and provenance Canada: physical inspection on arrival; no health certificate or vaccination record (same procedure at the border strip or on a cruise). SourceCanada
United StatesOrigin and provenance US: physical inspection on arrival and no health certificate or vaccination record; dogs (not cats) need the screwworm (GBG) inspection document signed by a USDA-accredited vet within the 5 days before travel. USDA APHIS guidance (last modified 21 September 2026) adds that it has applied since 3 August 2026 and is not endorsed by APHIS. SourceUnited States
Other countriesHealth certificate no older than 15 days (original and copy) showing rabies vaccination (under 3 months exempt), clinical health, and internal and external deworming within six months; documentary and physical check on arrival. Sourceall countries other than Canada and the United States

Import permit

  • The Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI) is issued at the point of entry: under Ley Federal de Sanidad Animal Article 24 (fraccion I covers live animals), imports are subject to inspection and to issue of the CZI at the point of entry into Mexico. SENASICA's pet page likewise has the CZI applied for on arrival (recorded separately).
    Ley Federal de Sanidad Animal (ultima reforma DOF 21 May 2024), checked 2 October 2026
  • The CZI is applied for on arrival: the owner asks SENASICA staff at the point of entry for the CZI application form for a dog or cat (it can also be downloaded beforehand). No advance import permit is described.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Microchip

  • Not listed: SENASICA's import page (4 August 2026) lists the documentary requirements for each origin: Canada, physical inspection only with no health certificate or vaccination record; the US, physical inspection plus, for dogs, the screwworm (GBG) inspection document; other countries, a health certificate with five listed elements (issuer, addresses, rabies vaccination, clinical health, deworming). No list mentions a microchip, so none is required for import. USDA APHIS (21 September 2026), CFIA (4 August 2026) and GOV.UK 3915NFG (revised 18 October 2023) do not require one either.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Rabies vaccination

  • Pets from countries other than the US and Canada: the health certificate must state the rabies vaccination date and its validity; animals under 3 months are exempt. Applies to dogs and cats from countries other than the US and Canada.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
    Official sources differGOV.UK APHA notes for guidance 3915NFG (revised 18 October 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68a72ea82f18566482155765/3915EHC-guidance.pdf) say, for exports from the UK, 'The Mexican veterinary authorities require rabies vaccination not less than 15 days and not more than 12 months prior to export'. SENASICA's own, newer page (4 August 2026) sets no minimum interval and is followed for the Mexican rule; pets certified on UK certificate 3915EHC still need the 15 day to 12 month window.
  • Not required: pets of Canadian or US origin and provenance do not have to present a health certificate or vaccination record; they are physically inspected on arrival. Applies to dogs and cats of Canadian or US origin and provenance.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Rabies titre test

  • Not listed: SENASICA's import page (4 August 2026) lists the documentary requirements for each origin: Canada, physical inspection only with no health certificate or vaccination record; the US, physical inspection plus, for dogs, the screwworm (GBG) inspection document; other countries, a health certificate with five listed elements (issuer, addresses, rabies vaccination, clinical health, deworming). No list mentions a rabies antibody titre test, so none is required for import. USDA APHIS, CFIA and GOV.UK 3915NFG do not require one either.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Health certificate

  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): the screwworm (NWS) inspection document for dogs has been required since 3 August 2026. Applies to dogs travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): dogs need the NWS Inspection Certificate for Pet Dogs Moving (Exporting) From the United States to Mexico, signed by a USDA-accredited vet and issued no more than 5 days before travel. This matches SENASICA's own page. Applies to dogs travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 5 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): the dog NWS document is issued directly by the accredited vet and is not endorsed by APHIS. Applies to dogs travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): pet cats need neither a health certificate nor an NWS inspection document. Applies to cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Other origins: a health certificate (Certificado de Buena Salud), original plus a plain copy, issued no more than 15 days before arrival. Applies to dogs and cats from countries other than the US and Canada.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
    Official sources differGOV.UK APHA notes for guidance 3915NFG (revised 18 October 2023, https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/68a72ea82f18566482155765/3915EHC-guidance.pdf) ask for the clinical examination within 48 hours before export from the UK, and UK certificate 3915EHC (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/652fd1279274590013f95955/3915EHC_V4.pdf) says it is valid for 7 days. SENASICA's own, newer page (4 August 2026) accepts a certificate up to 15 days old and is followed for the Mexican rule; UK exports still follow the 3915EHC timing.
  • Other origins: the certificate is issued by an official vet of the competent authority, or by a private vet on letterhead showing their professional licence number (or equivalent). Applies to dogs and cats from countries other than the US and Canada.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Other origins: the certificate states the exporter's name and address in the origin country and the importer's destination address in Mexico, and that the animal was clinically healthy at the pre-travel inspection. Applies to dogs and cats from countries other than the US and Canada.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Without a health certificate or vaccination card, the owner must use a private vet of their choice in Mexico to apply the treatments and issue the certificate; SENASICA staff or an authorised third-party specialist (TEA) may also certify good health after assessment. Applies to dogs and cats from countries other than the US and Canada.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per CFIA guidance for exports from Canada (date modified 4 August 2026), matching SENASICA's own page: no health certificate is needed for dogs and cats from Canada. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from Canada.
    Export of dogs and cats to Mexico (date modified 4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): pet cats have not needed a health certificate to enter Mexico since 16 December 2019. Applies to cats travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Dogs of US origin and provenance: on arrival the owner must present the inspection document showing the dog is free of New World screwworm (gusano barrenador del ganado, GBG); cats are exempt. Applies to dogs of US origin and provenance.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Dogs of US origin and provenance: the GBG inspection document must be signed by a USDA-accredited vet within the 5 days before travel. Applies to dogs of US origin and provenance.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

  • Not listed: SENASICA's import page (4 August 2026) lists the documentary requirements for each origin: Canada, physical inspection only with no health certificate or vaccination record; the US, physical inspection plus, for dogs, the screwworm (GBG) inspection document; other countries, a health certificate with five listed elements (issuer, addresses, rabies vaccination, clinical health, deworming). No list mentions any vaccine other than rabies (other origins only) or any test, so none is required for import. USDA APHIS, CFIA and GOV.UK 3915NFG require none either.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Parasite treatment

Quarantine

  • SENASICA's page sets no fixed quarantine period for dogs and cats; where a pet presents a risk, SENASICA decides what measures apply, at the owner's cost.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): if ticks are found, the pet is held at OISA until the specimens are confirmed not exotic to Mexico or under a control programme. The APHIS cats section says the same (pet held at OISA until the specimens are confirmed not exotic or subject to a specific control campaign). SENASICA's own page (4 August 2026) does not describe this hold; it says SENASICA decides the measures where a pet presents a risk. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from the US (quote from the dogs section; the cats section says the same).
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

Minimum age

How many pets

  • SENASICA article dated 18 March 2016: travelling with more than three pets makes the CZI chargeable (MXN 2,042 then, paid by e5cinco form). No upper limit is stated. SENASICA's current pet page (4 August 2026) gives no number limit or fee, so the threshold and amount may be out of date. Applies to travellers with more than three dogs or cats.
    Qué hacer si viajas a México con tu mascota (18 March 2016), checked 2 October 2026

Banned and restricted breeds

  • Not listed: SENASICA's import page (4 August 2026) lists the documentary requirements for each origin: Canada, physical inspection only with no health certificate or vaccination record; the US, physical inspection plus, for dogs, the screwworm (GBG) inspection document; other countries, a health certificate with five listed elements (issuer, addresses, rabies vaccination, clinical health, deworming). No list names any banned or restricted breed, so no breed rule applies to import. USDA APHIS (21 September 2026), CFIA (4 August 2026) and GOV.UK 3915NFG (revised 18 October 2023) are also silent on breeds.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026

How your pet may travel

Official fees

Other conditions

  • Frequent travellers (more than three entries a year) can register the pet in the PMVF; its current terms are recorded in the PMVF page entry. Applies to dogs and cats entering Mexico more than three times a year.
    Requisitos y procedimientos para viajar a México con tu mascota (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per USDA APHIS guidance for exports from the US (page last modified 21 September 2026): at OISA, SENASICA verifies the animal shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease, is free of ectoparasites and has no fresh or healing wounds. Applies to dogs travelling from the US.
    Pet Travel from the United States to Mexico (last modified 21 September 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • Per CFIA guidance for exports from Canada (date modified 4 August 2026): a pet being treated for skin lesions or infections must be accompanied by a letter from a licensed vet giving the diagnosis and treatment, presented to SENASICA. Applies to dogs and cats travelling from Canada.
    Export of dogs and cats to Mexico (date modified 4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • SENASICA PMVF page (4 August 2026): the Frequent Traveller Pet Programme is free and open to Mexican or foreign travellers who regularly enter Mexico with their pet from any origin (no registration is needed for the US and Canada, which present no documents for the CZI). Registration is online through CERTUR; the registered health certificate is valid for 6 months (no more than 15 days old when registered), the rabies vaccine for 1 or 3 years as the vet states, and internal and external deworming for 6 months. On each arrival the owner fills in the CZI form at the OISA, the pet is inspected and the PMVF is shown. Applies to dogs and cats registered in the PMVF.
    Programa Mascota Viajero Frecuente (PMVF) (4 August 2026), checked 2 October 2026
  • SENASICA page dated 5 April 2023: a pet with skin lesions or infections (such as mange, dermatomycosis, dermatophilosis or alopecia), that is ill, has a condition or cannot be vaccinated against rabies must arrive with the vet prescription on letterhead with the vet professional licence number (or equivalent), explaining the condition and treatment, so the medicines can be brought in. Applies to dogs and cats under veterinary treatment, all origins.
    Mascotas en tratamiento médico (5 April 2023), checked 2 October 2026
  • SENASICA page dated 27 April 2026: only the ration of balanced pet food for the day of arrival may be brought in; more food must be in intact packaging, labelled in an understandable language with the health authority seal, come from a country with a SENASICA requirement combination (MCRZI) and, where the requirement sheet says so, from an approved plant. Homemade (artisanal) products are not allowed. Applies to pet food carried with dogs and cats, all origins.
    Productos para consumo animal (27 April 2026), checked 2 October 2026

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SENASICA documentation

For pets from countries other than the US and Canada, the health certificate (original plus a plain copy) is issued by an official vet, or by a private vet on letterhead showing their professional licence number. It must state the rabies vaccination date and its validity (animals under 3 months are exempt), that the animal was clinically healthy at the pre-travel inspection, and that it was dewormed internally and externally within the previous six months.

On arrival the pet is taken to the SENASICA inspection office (OISA). If ectoparasites are found, the owner must have a vet of their choice treat the animal before release, at the owner’s expense. SENASICA’s import page does not list a microchip or a rabies titre test for any origin.

Number of pets and import limits

A SENASICA article from 2016 said that travelling with more than three pets made the CZI chargeable. SENASICA’s current pet page gives no number limit or fee, so confirm the position before you travel with several animals.

Frequently Asked Questions

SENASICA sets no fixed quarantine period for dogs and cats. Where a pet presents a risk, SENASICA decides what measures apply, at the owner’s cost. USDA APHIS adds that if ticks are found, the pet is held at the inspection office until the specimens are confirmed not exotic to Mexico or under a control programme.

No. SENASICA’s import page lists no rabies titre test for any origin. Pets from countries other than the US and Canada need a health certificate stating their rabies vaccination date and validity; pets from the US and Canada need no vaccination record.

Not in advance. Under the Ley Federal de Sanidad Animal, SENASICA issues the import certificate (CZI) at the point of entry. You ask SENASICA staff for the CZI form on arrival, or download it beforehand.

Yes. Cats from the US and Canada need no health certificate and no vaccination record; USDA APHIS says pet cats have not needed a health certificate to enter Mexico since 16 December 2019. Cats from other countries need the same health certificate as dogs.

It depends on the origin. Pets from Canada and the US need no health certificate, though US dogs need the screwworm inspection document signed by a USDA-accredited vet no more than 5 days before travel, which APHIS does not endorse. Pets from other countries need a health certificate issued no more than 15 days before arrival, by an official vet or a private vet on letterhead showing their licence number.

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On this page

Mexico

  • Difficulty: Relaxed
  • Code: MX

Sources

Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.

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