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ENTRY.PET · CHECKLIST

United States → Mexico

dog

Requirements

DoneREQUIREMENTWHENSOURCE
To do01 Screwworm inspection
"Certificado de Inspección GBG para el Traslado (Exportación) de Perros Mascota de los Estados Unidos a México" (New World screwworm inspection certificate for pet dogs moving from the United States to Mexico), signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian, dated within the 5 days before entry. In force since 3 August 2026. Cats are exempt. The bilingual form and its instructions are on the APHIS "Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico" page (pet-dogs-nws-inspection.pdf): the accredited vet inspects the dog (skin, interdigital areas, ear canals, mucous membranes) and issues the form directly to the owner — no APHIS endorsement, handwritten signature in non-black ink only, dates in DD/MM/YYYY, dogs only on the form. The vet's name and accreditation number are checked against the NVAP register at the border; an inspection date outside the 5-day window, an illegible name or a wrong number can mean refusal or a hold at the border.
within 5 days before arrivalSENASICA — MCRZI (Hoja de Requisitos Zoosanitarios); SENASICA (SADER); USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); USDA APHIS (bilingual form; Spanish title "Certificado de Inspección GBG para el Traslado (Exportación) de Perros Mascota de los Estados Unidos a México")
To do02 Arrival inspection
Go to the SENASICA office (OISA) at the point of entry with the pet in a clean carrier. Staff check that it shows no signs of infectious disease, is free of external parasites and has no fresh or healing wounds. If external parasites are found, a vet of your choice must treat the pet; ticks are sampled and removed and the pet waits at the OISA for the lab result (see quarantine). Costs are the importer's.
—SENASICA — MCRZI (Hoja de Requisitos Zoosanitarios)
To do03 Crate and bedding
A dirty carrier, or one with disposable bedding (pads, newspaper, sawdust, rags), toys or food, is disinfected and everything inside is removed and destroyed.
—SENASICA — MCRZI (Hoja de Requisitos Zoosanitarios)
To do04 Pet food
The sheet allows the ration of balanced (commercial) pet food for the day of arrival. More food is allowed only in intact, labelled packs (Spanish, English or another understandable language) from a country with an MCRZI combination — for dry or wet dog/cat food one 50 lb / 22 kg bag per family, the USA being a listed country — per SENASICA's food page and 2026 tourist-import list (see the rule notes).
—SENASICA — MCRZI (Hoja de Requisitos Zoosanitarios)
To do05 Import permit
Zoosanitary import certificate (Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación, CZI), issued by SENASICA at the OISA on arrival once the sheet's requirements are met — no advance application. Ask the OISA staff for request form FF-SENASICA-003 (pet dog / pet cat versions; fields for the microchip number, origin and provenance, address in Mexico). Customs (ANAM) must be shown the certificate. No fee for pets (see fees).
—Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM)
To do06 Non-commercial limits
Up to three pets per passenger enter duty-free as part of the passenger's baggage, travelling with them (RGCE 2026 rule 3.2.3, in force for 2026). The sources consulted do not say what happens with a fourth pet (not researched).
—Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM); Diario Oficial de la Federación (official gazette); issued by the Servicio de Administración Tributaria (SAT)

Papers to carry

  • To get: Import permit

Official fees

  • CZI (zoosanitary import certificate) for a pet — exempt from the federal feeMXN 0 per certificate