Driving to Mexico with a dog is less stressful now that Mexico has new pet requirements for entering Mexico from the U.S. and Canada by car.

In November 2019, Mexico relaxed the regulations about bringing pets to Mexico.

New Requirements For Bringing Pets to Mexico – US/Canadians only

Note: Only dogs and cats are considered pets by Mexico’s definition.

What changed

As of November 2019, driving to Mexico with your dog, you do not need to spend the money to go to a veterinarian and get a health certificate.

You do not need to have a veterinarian provide proof that the pet has had parasite prevention.

You do not need to provide a rabies certificate for your dog or cat.

What has not changed

• Only a small amount of dog food is allowed to be brought into the country
• Any type of disposable bedding the dog was transported in, must be thrown away. For example, newspapers or sawdust or rags

What is the new process to bring a pet to Mexico?

Mexico will require that a staff member of OISA (part of SAGARPA-SENASICA) perform a brief physical inspection of your pet and verify:

• That there are no signs of infectious and contagious diseases
• That it is free of ectoparasites = fleas, ticks, mites, and lice
• That there are no fresh or healing wounds

As a side note, at the Mexico border, the agents are not OISA officers and therefore are not part of the SAGARPA-SENASICA which oversees the importation of animals. They will not ask to inspect your pet.

Here is a link from the USDA confirming the new requirements for bringing pets to Mexico.

How to contact SAGARPA-SENASICA

If you are a little unsure of the new regulations or have questions, you can email the SAGARPA-SENASICA directly:  dgif.iica82@senasica.gob.mx

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