Moving a pet to Mexico
Harmonised entry: microchip, active rabies vaccination and an endorsed international health certificate.
Destination requirements apply to every origin. Document steps below reference USDA APHIS/VEHCS because they are the most common departure route; if you are moving from another country, the equivalent filing is handled by your national veterinary authority.
Quick rules summary
| Governing body | SENASICA |
|---|---|
| Mandatory lead time | 2–4 weeks |
| Rabies titer test (FAVN) | No |
| Import permit | No |
| Post-arrival quarantine | 0 days |
| Microchip mandate | Recommended |
| Primary failure point | A health certificate older than 15 days at the port of entry. |
Biosecurity & veterinary protocol
Entry rules depend on both your departure country and your destination. The endorsement steps below are written for the US-departure route (USDA APHIS via VEHCS); from any other origin, the equivalent step is an export health certificate endorsed by your national government veterinary authority.
- 1
Health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 15 days of travel.
- 2
Certificate must confirm an active rabies vaccination and that the pet is free of internal and external parasites.
- 3
SENASICA performs the inspection at the port of entry; no advance permit is required.
- 4
Food and bedding may be removed at inspection — pack accordingly.
Breed & airline warnings
No national breed ban; airline restricted-breed policies still apply.
Ground crossings avoid cargo brachycephalic embargoes for larger flat-faced breeds.
Crates must follow IATA Live Animals Regulations: L = A + ½B, W = 2C, H = D + bedding. Two compatible animals up to 14 kg (30 lbs) each may share a crate; heavier animals travel individually. Check your breed →
Your Mexico timeline
Build my pet's relocation plan
Your plan appears here
Tell us where your pet is travelling from and to, and we'll build a route-specific plan: the earliest realistic travel date, the steps that actually determine it, every deadline, and any quarantine on arrival.
- • Rules resolved per corridor — never a generic US or EU timeline.
- • Counts what your pet has already had done.
- • Tells you plainly when a corridor still needs verification.