The essentials
- From the US: dogs need an inspection by a USDA-accredited vet within 5 days before travel confirming they're free of New World screwworm. Cats are exempt.
- From Canada: no health certificate or vaccination record is required — only a physical inspection on arrival.
- From any other country: a health certificate no more than 15 days old, with rabies vaccination, deworming within six months and no external parasites.
More things to know
- Every pet is physically inspected on arrival, and the crate is sprayed. Leave bedding, newspaper, sawdust and rags out of the crate.
- Airlines set their own, often stricter, rules — check them before booking.
In this guide
Mexico's animal-health agency, SENASICA, sets the rules for bringing pets in — and they changed in 2026 for dogs coming from the United States. Here's what applies to you, based on SENASICA's guidance last updated August 4, 2026.
Requirements by where you're coming from
| Coming from | Dogs | Cats |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Inspection document from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, issued within the 5 days before travel, confirming the dog is free of New World screwworm. Physical inspection on arrival. | No screwworm document. Physical inspection on arrival. |
| Canada | No certificate of good health or vaccination record required. Physical inspection on arrival. | |
| Any other country | Certificate of good health no more than 15 days old, showing: rabies vaccination date and validity (not required under 3 months old), clinical health, internal and external deworming within the previous six months, and freedom from external parasites. | |
What happens on arrival
- SENASICA staff physically inspect your pet to check its health.
- The transport crate is sprayed as a preventive treatment by official personnel.
- If your pet has external parasites, it must be treated, at your cost, before it's released.
Airline rules are separate
Mexico's requirements are the minimum. Airlines set their own rules on crate size, breed restrictions (especially snub-nosed dogs and cats), summer embargoes and documents, and many ask for a health certificate even when Mexico doesn't. Confirm in writing with your airline before you book, and again a week before you fly.
Other animals
Reptiles, songbirds and ornamental birds, ferrets, turtles and other companion animals have separate SENASICA requirements and may need an import certificate. Check SENASICA's documents for your animal well before travel.
Driving down with pets
The same rules apply at land crossings: your pet is inspected at the border. If you're driving, you'll also need a temporary vehicle import permit for your car outside the free zones.
Keep reading
Logistics
Car, pets & belongings
What to bring when you move to Mexico, and how: temporary import permits for cars, the 2026 pet entry rules, importing household goods (menaje de casa) under the Customs Law, and what's cheaper to buy locally.
Logistics · Driving
Car import permit (TIP)
Who can drive a foreign-plated car in Mexico, how long the permit lasts for visitors and temporary residents, the fee and refundable deposit, who else can drive it, and how to cancel it.
Pillar guide · 10 steps
Mexico relocation guide
Everything you need to move to Mexico in 2026 — residency visas and the new income thresholds, choosing a city, real cost of living, healthcare, banking, housing, taxes and shipping your life south — in one step-by-step plan.
Housing · Renting
Renting in Mexico
How long-term renting works in Mexico for newcomers: where to search, what landlords ask for (aval, póliza jurídica, deposits), what to inspect before signing, and how to avoid rental scams.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a health certificate to bring my dog to Mexico from the US?
Not a full health certificate, but since 2026 SENASICA requires dogs from the US to have an inspection document from a USDA-accredited veterinarian, issued within 5 days before travel, confirming they're free of New World screwworm. Your dog is also inspected on arrival.
Do cats need a certificate to enter Mexico from the US?
No. Cats from the US are exempt from the screwworm document and are only inspected on arrival.
Can I bring my pet from Canada without documents?
Yes — SENASICA says dogs and cats from Canada don't need a certificate of good health or a vaccination record; they're physically inspected on arrival. Your airline may still ask for documents.
Is there a limit on how many pets I can bring?
SENASICA's current guidance for dogs and cats doesn't state a limit, but airlines limit pets per passenger and per flight.
Sources & official references
This page is general information, not legal or tax advice. Consulates interpret rules differently — confirm with your consulate or a licensed professional before acting.