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Pet Transport Mexico to Australia: The 2026 Staged Move Guide

If you are relocating a pet from Mexico to Australia, the process is manageable once you know the sequence. This is one of the more demanding routes, so allow around 36-60 weeks …

36-60 wks
Preparation needed
10 days
Quarantine on arrival
Very-High
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
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Lead time needed
36-60 weeks
Quarantine
10 days
Route complexity
Very-High
Airlines
4 carriers on this route
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What's required
MicrochipISO 11784/11785 microchip required.
QuarantineMandatory 10-day quarantine at Mickleham …
Import permitDAFF import permit via BICON …
Health certificateDAFF-format health certificate issued …
In short: Preparing to move a pet from Mexico to Australia typically takes around 36-60 weeks. Expect 10 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The import process, in full

1
3-4 months before planned staging country arrival.
SENASICA export permit, microchip, rabies vaccination. Prepare staging country documentation (USDA endorsement for USA entry if staging there).

Responsible: Owner and SENASICA vet

2
Within 10 days of departure.
SENASICA-endorsed health certificate issued before departure from Mexico.

Responsible: SENASICA vet

3
Staging country arrival.
Pet arrives in USA (or UK, Singapore). Completes entry process. If USA: no quarantine, but USDA endorsement of health certificate required.

Responsible: Pet agent in staging country

4
During staging country residency.
180-day continuous residency in staging country. If USA (Group 3): RNATT titre test at DAFF-approved lab, wait 180 days from blood draw.

Responsible: Owner

5
During staging residency. At least 30 days before Australia departure.
Apply for DAFF import permit via BICON. Pre-book Mickleham.

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
Within 5 days of departure.
DAFF-format health certificate from staging country within 5 days of Australia travel.

Responsible: Government vet in staging country

7
After 180 continuous days in approved country.
Travel to Australia. 10-day Mickleham quarantine.

Responsible: Airline and DAFF

Checklist

What your pet needs

Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required.
Quarantine
Mandatory 10-day quarantine at Mickleham Post Entry Quarantine Facility, Melbourne.
Import permit
DAFF import permit via BICON (agriculture.gov.au). Approximately AUD 420.
Health certificate
DAFF-format health certificate issued within 5 days of departure from the staging country.
Export permit
SENASICA export permit required. Apply through a SENASICA-registered veterinarian. Allow 2-4 weeks.
Health certificate
SENASICA (Servicio Nacional de Sanidad, Inocuidad y Calidad Agroalimentaria) health certificate and endorsement. Required for export and for entry documentation to any approved staging country.
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Airlines

Carriers on this route

Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.

Aeromexico (Mexico to USA)
Aeromexico operates Mexico City (MEX) and other cities to Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), and other US gateways. Aeromexico Cargo handles pets. Primary option for Mexico to USA staging leg.
Cargo Only
United Airlines (Mexico to USA)
United Airlines operates Mexico City and other Mexican cities to US hubs including Los Angeles and Houston. United Cargo accepts pets on some routes.
Cargo Only
Qantas (USA to Australia)
Qantas operates Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) and Melbourne (MEL). Qantas Freight handles live animals. Primary option for the USA to Australia leg after 180 days of US residency.
Cargo Only
United Airlines (USA to Australia)
United Airlines operates LAX and San Francisco (SFO) to SYD and MEL. United Cargo accepts pets on Australia-bound routes. Alternative to Qantas for the USA to Australia leg.
Cargo Only
Costs

What this route typically costs

SENASICA export documentation: MXN 2,000-5,000
Staging country entry and residency costs: USD 200-500 (USA) or SGD 1,500-3,000 (Singapore quarantine)
RNATT titre test (if USA/UK pathway): approximately USD 100-200
DAFF import permit: AUD 420
Air cargo from staging country to Australia: approximately AUD 1,500-4,000
Mickleham 10-day quarantine: AUD 1,800-3,500
Total direct animal costs: approximately AUD 5,500-10,000

Critical points

Mexico is non-approved for DAFF. No direct Mexico to Australia pet cargo route is available.

If staging via the USA (Group 3): the RNATT titre test and 180-day blood draw wait add approximately 6 months. Via Singapore (Group 2) avoids this.

The 180 days of staging country residency must be continuous. Any trip to Mexico or another non-approved country during this period resets the clock.

The USA is a popular staging country for Mexican families, but note the RNATT wait. The timeline from Mexico via USA to Australia is typically 14-18 months.

The rules for bringing a pet into Australia

Australia takes biosecurity seriously, and the requirements reflect that. The paperwork is exacting, so accuracy matters as much as timing.

How to keep this move on track

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

FAQ

Common questions

No. Mexico is a non-approved country for DAFF. Direct export to Australia is not permitted. Your pet needs 180 continuous days in a DAFF-approved country first. Source: DAFF, agriculture.gov.au/biosecurity-trade/cats-dogs.
The USA is DAFF Group 3, which requires an RNATT titre test for the Australia leg and a 180-day wait from the blood draw date. Singapore is DAFF Group 2 (rabies-free), which skips the RNATT entirely. If you are staging in the USA, the two 180-day requirements (residency and titre test wait) can overlap if the titre test is done early in the US stay, but it requires careful timing.
The RNATT (rabies neutralising antibody titre test) is a blood test confirming your pet’s rabies antibody level. DAFF requires a minimum result of 0.5 IU/ml. For Group 3 staging (USA), the blood draw must happen in the USA at a DAFF-approved laboratory, and 180 days must pass from the blood draw date before your pet can enter Australia. If done on arrival in the USA, the titre test wait and the residency requirement can run simultaneously.
Budget approximately AUD 5,500 to AUD 10,000 for direct animal costs: SENASICA documentation, staging country entry and residency (USA costs are lower than Singapore quarantine costs), RNATT if via USA, DAFF permit (AUD 420), air cargo to Australia, and Mickleham quarantine (AUD 1,800-3,500). Staging country living expenses during the 180-day stay are additional.
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Airline guides
  • Aeromexico (Mexico to USA)
  • United Airlines (Mexico to USA)
  • Qantas (USA to Australia)
  • United Airlines (USA to Australia)
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