Getting a pet from Mexico to United States is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Allow around 4-8 weeks and follow the steps in order to stay on track.
Start with the step by step process below and build your plan …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Mexico to United States
typically takes around 4-8 weeks.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The Mexico to United States pet import process
Each step must be completed in a precise sequence. Start early. We manage every stage and deadline.
1
Confirm Mexico is still absent from the CDC high-risk list at cdc.gov/importation/dogs, then complete the CDC Dog Import Form
Responsible: Owner
Research now before booking. Rules changed significantly in 2024.
2
Confirm the microchip is in place and was implanted before the rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your vet
Verify now. Missing microchip or incorrect documentation can result in dog being refused entry.
3
Cats: confirm microchip is present (recommended but not federally required for cats). No CDC restrictions for cats.
Responsible: Your vet
Verify before travel.
4
Complete CDC Dog Import Form online if required for your dog's situation
Responsible: Owner (online at cdc.gov)
Before travel.
5
SENASICA-authorised Mexican vet issues health certificate valid 30 days
Responsible: Mexican official vet
Within 30 days of travel.
6
Book airline cargo or cabin space. Confirm pet-accepted status on your specific route.
Responsible: Owner or agent
4-6 weeks ahead.
7
Travel to USA via CDC-approved airport of entry if required
Responsible: Owner/airline
On travel date.
Requirements
What your pet needs to enter United States
Every item below must be in place before your pet can travel. We manage and verify each one.
Microchip
Required for every dog entering the United States, from any country. The chip must be implanted BEFORE the rabies vaccination, or the CDC treats that vaccination as invalid. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation/dogs.
Rabies vaccination
Mexico is not on the CDC high-risk list, so the foreign-vaccination pathway does not apply. A current rabies vaccination is still sensible and your destination US state may require one, but the CDC does not for a dog arriving from Mexico.
Import permit
Not required for personal pet dogs (fewer than 3). Required for commercial imports.
Health certificate
USDA APHIS may require a health certificate for some entries. Verify current requirements.
Export permit (Mexico)
No formal export permit for companion cats and dogs.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Mexican health certificate: approximately MXN 1,000-3,000 (USD 55-165)
Microchip (if not already in place): MXN 300-600
Airline cargo Mexico City to US city: approximately USD 150-500 depending on carrier and size
Pet transport agent fee (if used): USD 300-800
Total typical range: USD 300 to USD 900 for a straightforward personal pet move
Critical points to read before you book
A dog must be at least six months old on the day it enters the United States, whatever country it comes from. There is no exception for a well-documented puppy, so a litter move has to wait. The microchip rule sits alongside it: the chip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination, or the CDC treats that vaccination as invalid. Source: CDC, cdc.gov/importation/dogs, read 2026-09-02.
The CDC rewrote its dog import rules in 2024, and the change that matters here is that every dog now needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a microchip implanted before the rabies vaccination and a minimum age of six months. Mexico is not on the high-risk list, so the serology and facility requirements that dominate guidance written for high-risk origins do not apply to this route.
Mexico is not a CDC high-risk country, so the designated-airport restriction does not apply and you can fly into any US port of entry. Guidance saying otherwise is describing the high-risk pathway, which is a real thing that does not cover this route.
Cats are not subject to CDC dog import restrictions. A healthy, vaccinated cat with a standard health certificate can enter the USA from Mexico without the CDC documentation steps that apply to dogs.
This route is also used by people moving between Mexico and the US for work or study. The rules apply equally regardless of whether you are a US citizen or a Mexican national.
Airlines
Carriers approved for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know which carriers to use and how to book.
AMERICAN
American Airlines
Mexico City (MEX) to multiple US cities. Small pets in cabin on some routes. American Airlines Cargo for larger pets. Popular route for pet moves.
Cabin and Cargo
AEROMEXICO
Aeromexico
Direct flights to many US cities. Small pets in cabin. Cargo service via Aeromexico Cargo.
Cabin and Cargo
UNITED
United Airlines
Mexico to US routes including Houston and Chicago. Small pets in cabin. United Cargo for larger animals.
Cabin and Cargo
DELTA
Delta
Mexico City and other Mexican airports to US hubs. Cargo service available.
Cabin and Cargo
How United States handles incoming pets
United States has a clear set of import requirements that are manageable with some planning. Follow them in order and keep an eye on the dates that cannot move.
What experienced owners do
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
FAQ
Common questions about Mexico to United States pet transport
Not necessarily. Dogs from high-risk countries (including Mexico) may be able to enter if vaccinated outside the USA, but specific documentation is required. The CDC’s Dog Import Form process exists for dogs vaccinated abroad in high-risk countries. Check the current requirements at cdc.gov/importation. In some cases, dogs vaccinated in Mexico may need to arrive at a CDC-registered facility for a waiting period. The rules are complex and worth checking carefully before you travel.
Dogs from high-risk countries must arrive at a CDC-designated airport. Not all US airports are on the approved list. When booking, confirm with the CDC and your airline that your chosen arrival airport accepts dog imports from Mexico. Miami, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, and Atlanta are among the airports that typically handle these arrivals.
No. The CDC high-risk country dog import rules do not apply to cats. Cats entering the USA from Mexico need a current health certificate from a Mexican vet and are typically cleared without the additional documentation steps that dogs require. Hawaii is an exception: cats going to Hawaii need the HDOA 5-day or standard quarantine programme.
Yes. The same CDC requirements apply at land border crossings as at airports. For dogs from high-risk countries, the microchip and documentation requirements must be met regardless of whether you cross by air, land, or sea. Many owners driving across the border with pets are surprised that the rules are the same as for air travel.
Airline guides
American Airlines
Aeromexico
United Airlines
Delta
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.
Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm
current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
USDA APHIS· United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
CDC· United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog import rules