PetTravelPass

Bringing a dog or cat from the United States to Mexico

Under Mexico's rules, pets from the United States are in the group “Pets from the United States or Canada”. A dog from the United States needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.

About Mexico: Easy: SENASICA asks for no health certificate or vaccine record for pets from the US or Canada, and other countries need only a 15-day health certificate with rabies and parasite treatment. Since 3 August 2026, dogs from the US also need a screwworm inspection document valid for 5 days. Every pet is physically inspected on arrival.

Pets from the United States or Canada Paperwork only

Titer test
Not required
Wait after blood test
—
Import permit
Not required
Quarantine
None if rules are met

No long wait: No waiting period.

Step by step

  1. Dogs from the US: get the screwworm document

    Since 3 Aug 2026, dogs travelling from the US need a New World screwworm (GBG) inspection document. A USDA-accredited vet signs it (no APHIS endorsement needed). It is valid for 5 calendar days.

  2. Check the pet for parasites and wounds

    SENASICA inspects every animal on arrival. Animals with ticks, fleas, or fresh or healing wounds can be refused or treated at your cost.

  3. Use a clean crate

    Bring a clean carrier without bedding. Only enough food for the day of travel is allowed. SENASICA disinfects the crate.

  4. Report to SENASICA on arrival

    Fill in the request for the zoosanitary certificate at the OISA office at the airport, land border or seaport.

No quarantine. Pets with ectoparasites or fresh/healing wounds can be held or refused. Treatment is at the owner's cost.

Good to know

Cats
Same as dogs. The 2026 US screwworm document covers dogs (and pet birds), not cats.
How many pets
Not specified on official pages
Parasite treatment
Non-US/Canada origins: internal and external parasite treatment within 6 months before travel. All pets: inspected for ectoparasites on arrival. Dogs from the US: screwworm inspection document valid 5 days (since 3 Aug 2026).
Arrival
Any international airport, land border or seaport with a SENASICA OISA office.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to bring a dog from the United States to Mexico?

The United States counts as "Pets from the United States or Canada" for Mexico. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. No waiting period. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.

Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from the United States to Mexico?

No. Pets from the United States do not need a titer test for Mexico if the other rules are met.

Will my pet be quarantined in Mexico?

Not if every rule is met. No quarantine. Pets with ectoparasites or fresh/healing wounds can be held or refused. Treatment is at the owner's cost.

Do I need an import permit?

No import permit is needed for pets from the United States.

Are the rules the same for cats?

Same as dogs. The 2026 US screwworm document covers dogs (and pet birds), not cats.

Sources

Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Mexico pet import rules.

More destinations from the United States

Moving to Mexico from somewhere else?