What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that address Mexico pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering the country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Mexico will include proof of rabies vaccination, parasite treatments, and international export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Regulations
Unless otherwise stated, the regulations below apply to domestic dogs and cats including service and assistance dogs and cats. These regulations do not include the import of Wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats, unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. The agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals should either license or employ your veterinarian.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Mexico
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Mexico if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible all costs involved.
Mexico Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Mexico pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. Firstly, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Secondly, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, most countries require that pets be microchipped and compliant microchips may be difficult to find should your pet ever leave the country.
Although not required, your pet should be identified with a 15-digit pet microchip which is compliant with International Standards Organization standard 11784 or Annex A of ISO standard 11785 prior to entering Mexico. All documentation must reflect the microchip number. If your pet’s microchip is not ISO 11784/11785 compliant, importers can provide a microchip scanner that will read their pet’s microchip.
Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital or trained nurse should implant the microchip. Documentation should be provided as to the manufacturer of the microchip and registration instructions.
If your pet is not identified with a microchip, it should be wearing tags that identify it and contact information for the owner.
Step 2: Vaccinations
Pets entering Mexico from countries other than the United States and Canada should have proof of current vaccination against rabies. All details about the rabies vaccine must be on the health certificate.
If your dog or cat is originally from Mexico (rather than the US or Canada), and your pet has been vaccinated in Mexico with a 1-year vaccine (which is standard), you are required to show the Mexican booklet you received from your Mexican veterinarian indicating the original vaccine date. In all cases, the rabies vaccination must not have expired prior to a booster vaccination.
The administering veterinarian should record vaccination information, sign and stamp one of the following documents depending on veterinary practices in the country of origin:
- a rabies certificate
- a government-issued vaccination booklet or
- an EU Pet Passport
Dogs may also be vaccinated for: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus and parainfluenza and cats may also be vaccinated for: feline panleukopenia (distemper), viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus and leukemia. These are recommended vaccinations only.
Veterinarians can record vaccinations on the international health certificate (step 5) or an inoculation record at intervals required by veterinary health procedures of the origination country.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test, also known as a rabies antibody test or rabies serology test, is a blood test that measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. The test will assess the effectiveness of a rabies vaccination or determine your pet’s immune response to the rabies virus. When required, a licensed veterinarian will administer the test more than 30 days after the most current rabies vaccination.
Mexico does not require a rabies titer test for cats and dogs entering from any country. However, all pets originating in countries classified as having a high risk of rabies should always travel with a rabies titer test.
Note that rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitution for proof of rabies vaccination.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
According to all preventative measures to ensure public health and the safety of your pet, treatments for internal and external parasites must be administered prior to entering Mexico.
Within 6 months of entering Mexico, your dog or cat must have been treated against internal and external parasites by a licensed veterinarian. Cats and dogs must have treatments for ticks shortly prior to entering the country.
All pets will be inspected for fleas and ticks when entering Mexico. Should any parasites be found, your pet will be held at the medical office to determine the type of parasite found.
The treatment of pets for internal parasites, especially Echinococcus multilocularis, as well as external parasites (fleas and ticks) should be discussed with your veterinarian who will administer according to disease status of the origination country. These treatments are required.
Any dogs or cats undergoing treatments for skin disorders should bring documentation on veterinary letterhead specifying condition and treatment.
Tick-borne infections such as ehrlichiosis are not unusual in Mexico, so it is wise to protect your pet.
The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue you a record of treatment.
Step 5: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate (sometimes known as a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection) for live animals entering their country.
When traveling Mexico from either the United States or Canada, a health certificate is not required unless your airline requires it. Your dog or cat will be inspected upon arrival to Mexico.
If your pet is traveling to Mexico from another country, a licensed veterinarian in the origination country must issue a pet health certificate within 15 days of travel. The health certificate must be typed or autofilled online. Hand-printed certificates will not be accepted. There are two options for certificates and only one requires endorsement by a government veterinarian.
The certificate should include the following information:
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments and
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must properly identify your pet. Your veterinarian will include additional details and treatments on the certificate depending on the country of origin.
A licensed veterinarian in the origination country must complete the health certificate within 30 days of entry.
Related: Pet Health Certificate for Mexico
A government veterinarian must either issue the certificate or endorse the certificate after issuance by a licensed veterinarian. This official represents the agency in the origination country that is responsible for the import and export of live animals.
Step 6: Import Permit
If you are transporting one to three pets, the Animal Health Import Certificate process is free of charge.
If you are importing four or more pets, the fee of the Import Certificate would be $1,882.22 pesos (this amount may vary in conformance with the Federal Tax Law). Additionally, you must use a customs agent in Mexico to obtain the permit for you and to handle the entry of your animals.
Mexico has launched a new Frequent Travel Program for Pets program. The registration requirements include filling out an application, attaching a health certificate issued by a Senasica-authorized veterinarian and providing records of a current rabies vaccination and treatment against ectoparasites and endoparasites.
The document can be obtained at Agricultural Sanitation Inspection offices located at airports in Cancún, Guadalajara, Querétaro, Zihuatanejo, Toluca and Mazatlán.
Applications can also be made in both terminals of the Mexico City International Airport and at the Senasica central offices, also in Mexico City. The program is free.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Mexico
Puppies and kittens should not be vaccinated for rabies prior to 3 months of age. Kittens and puppies under the age of 3 months are exempt from the rabies vaccination requirement.
Related: More information on transporting a puppy.
Breeds Banned for Import to Mexico
Mexico does not ban breeds; however, some cities do. Visitors to these cities will be responsible for their pet’s behavior.
The import of any type of rabbit is not permitted.
Flying to Mexico with a Pet
Flights to Mexico should be direct or transit through a rabies-controlled country or another EU Member State if possible*. *Note: If your pet has a layover in an EU Member State in its itinerary, then additional requirements will apply.
Entering Mexico by Air
There are multiple international airports in Mexico where pets can enter the country. Pets can enter Mexico in the cabin, checked baggage or air cargo according to airline pet policies.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
Flights should be direct if the duration of the flight does not violate animal welfare laws. Layovers should be short and not involve a change in airline companies. If your pet’s itinerary involves a layover in the European Union, then additional requirements will apply.
Importers will need to provide advance notice to veterinary officials at the airport so they will be available to inspect your pet and its passport documentation upon landing if your pet will be arriving outside of normal business hours.
Whenever your pet travels to a foreign country like Mexico, it is always advisable to carry some form of identification indicating ownership of your pet.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. A government veterinarian will provide further examination if your dog or cat is not in apparent good health when entering Mexico. All costs associated with further inspections or treatments will be borne by the importer.
Pet Food
Only amounts of pet food that will be needed to feed your pet on arrival are permitted. Larger cities will have big grocery stores (Gigante, Wal-Mart, Sam’s Club) that do stock a variety of pet foods, but that may not always be
the case in smaller locales.
Exporting Resident Dogs and Cats from Mexico
Pets must have an Animal Health Certificate for Export (CZE) issued by a licensed veterinarian for all destination countries except the United States, Canada and the European Union. The United States and Canada do not require health certificates; however, a health certificate may be a requirement of your airline.
When traveling to the United States, a rabies certificate proving current rabies vaccination is recommended, and it is required for dogs and cats over three months traveling to Canada.
When traveling to the European Union, an EU health certificate must be issued by a licensed vet and endorsed by
a government veterinarian within 10 days of travel.
Exporters should have all required documentation for their destination country available.
Importing Other Pet Animals to Mexico
The import of animals other than dogs and cats must meet the provisions of the Import Zoosanitary Requirements. There is a fee for the health certificate which can be paid online.
Non-CITES birds are permitted to enter Mexico from areas that have not had Avian Influenza incidents. Owners of birds may want to contact veterinary authorities in their originating country for additional information.
Domesticated rabbits can enter Mexico with their owners with a current health certificate (see above) and proof of rabies vaccination.
Invertebrates, tropical fish, reptiles, amphibia, mammals such as rodents are not subject to requirements of rabies vaccination but may have to meet other requirements and should have a health certificate to enter Mexico Pet owners are strongly advised to seek further information from the relevant authority of their country and/or that of
the country of destination.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is crucial if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If this is the case, importers will have to submit additional permit applications. The agency that issues these permits is responsible for the protection of wildlife in your country.
Over 180 countries participate in and enforce CITES regulations.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Need More Detailed Pet Import Requirements and Forms for Mexico?
Visit PetTravelStore.com for step-by-step detailed instructions on regulations, permits, layovers, costs, tests and pet import regulations for Mexico at minimal cost. Our information is current, verified and tailored to your pet’s itinerary.
Here’s what is included in the Mexico pet passport package:
- Detailed instructions on importing your dog, cat or ferret to Mexico from any country available in six languages
- Required Vaccinations and Intervals
- Parasite Treatments
- Health Certificate Information
- IATA Carrier and Crate Requirements
- Layover Considerations & Requirements for Airline Pet Travel
- Responsibilities of a Pet Transporter
- FREE unlimited email support both for you and your veterinarian, should either of you have any questions
Also included at no additional cost:
- Veterinary Health Certificates for Mexico
- Airline Health Certificate
- Inoculation Record
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Mexico?
Have a question about importing a pet to Mexico? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, Forum, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made below by users other than Pet Travel have not been verified. We do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense, return your pet to the country of origin, or euthanize your pet. To avoid these consequences, we suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Mexico pet import requirements.
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