Spring 2021
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.
Jump Ahead To:
Bringing Pets to Mexico – US/Canadians only
Note: Only dogs and cats are considered pets by Mexico’s definition.
What changed for driving to Mexico with pets?
As of November 2019, driving to Mexico with your dog or cat, 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 (enough for a week or two is OK)
Here is a link from the USDA confirming the new requirements for bringing pets to Mexico.
Will my dog be inspected at the border?
Mexico border agents are not OISA officers. Therefore they are not part of the SAGARPA-SENASICA which oversees the importation of animals.
There is not an OISA office at the border. No one is there to inspect your pet.
Documents to have while traveling
Although Mexico does not require a health certificate to enter with your dog, it is always a good idea to have following documentation with you:
- An up-to-date rabies certificate. You may be asked to present it when entering back into the U.S.
- Vaccination record of vaccines and due dates
- Record of medications for flea/ticks/mites and lice. Plus, heart worm prevention.
Crossing the border back into the U.S.
UPDATE June ’21: Although Mexico no longer requires proof of the rabies vaccine for your dog or cat you will need to bring the up-to-date rabies certificate with you in order to enter back into the U.S. with your pet.
Reason: On July 14 2021, the CDC put a temporary suspension on dogs entering the U.S. from countries that have a high risk of dog rabies.
113 countries are on this list – Mexico is NOT on this list. View list
However, when you enter the United States, they will ask where your pet is coming from. At this time you will provide a verbal statement that your dog(s) lived in a country that is NOT high risk for at least 6 months.
They may ask to see your passport for proof.
Hola! First I would like to say thank you for your website!! I have searched so many articles and they are always so complicated. Yours is simple to understand, just what I was looking for! I am moving to Guaymas, Sonora, from Canada for a while with my two Labradoodles. I can’t bring my dog food into the US because it is lamb biased, but if I buy the same one in the US can I take it across into Mexico? Also, do I need to take them to an OISA facility or is that only for flying? Thanks so… Read more »
Hola Olivia… thank you for letting me know you found the website helpful! Interesting that you cannot bring the lamb-based dog food into the U.S. however you can order it in the U.S. Crazy. As for crossing the border into Mexico with the food, I think you will be just fine with bringing in some food for the dogs. I would suggest bringing enough food for a month and no more than that. Make sure you have your receipt with you to show you paid for it and you are not a reseller. I would not pack it all in… Read more »
Hola Deborah, You cannot imagine how happy I am that I found your website! Thank you so much for having such a simple yet thorough place where this (sometimes) confusing information can be found! My wife and I are moving from Canada to Mexico City with our two dogs (a boxer and a lab) in early October and we are travelling by car. Would you recommend any specific point at the US-Mexico border that we should consider for getting into Mexico? Our two main concerns are safety and “smoothness” of the process to cross by land with two dogs. Thanks… Read more »
Hola Andre! Thank you for letting me know you are finding my website helpful. That is my intention to help fellow travelers with pets. =8-) In my opinion the best place to cross the border into Mexico is the Columbia Bridge border crossing. The official name is the Colombia Solidarity International Bridge. I actually wrote about this border crossing in one of my posts – “Pet Friendly Mexico Road Trip” https://www.travelingwith2dogs.com/pet-friendly-mexico-road-trip/ I think you will find the information in this post helpful for your trip to CDMX. You will take Toll roads (Cuotas) all the way into CDMX. Very direct… Read more »
Thank you Andre for providing the impetus for me to write a new article on crossing the border in Texas to Mexico at the Columbia Bridge Crossing! Take a look and let me know if this article is helpful. =8-)
https://www.travelingwith2dogs.com/texas-mexico-columbia-bridge-border-crossing-with-a-dog/
Thank you for your response! I have a couple more questions:
Do the dogs need to be in a crate when we cross the border? Or is a seatbelt enough?
What is TIP for our car?
Thank you!
Hola Susan… the dogs should have a seatbelt on in the car. No crate necessary.
A TIP = Temporary Import Permit. Here is a great website that explains what a TIP is and what documents you will need before crossing.
https://www.mexpro.com/mexico/vehicle-import-permit.html
Also, decide on which border you will use to cross then find out where the Banjercito is for that border crossing.
Again, the link I mentioned will be able to provide you with some of this information.
=8-)
We are moving to Puerto Vallarta and want to drive over the border with our two dogs. We have our Mexican Resident Visa, for our first year, and rabies, heartworm, shot records for our pups. Anything else I am missing?
Hola Susan… looks like you have everything in order. Good job! Maybe make extra copies? Up to you.
Congratulations on moving to PV. =8-)
I’m driving to rosarito this weekend with my puppy from LA but I don’t have his rabies certificate but he does have his shot and the vet Is closed will I still be able to come back into Cali with him?
Hi Joana…
This is from the California Department of Food and Agriculture:
“All domestic dogs must be healthy. Dogs over four (4) months of age must have documentation proving current rabies vaccination. A Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI), also known as a health certificate, is not required for privately owned dogs entering California.”
Here is the link.
https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/ahfss/Animal_Health/Entry_Requirements.html
If I were you, I would not risk crossing the border with my dog without a rabies vaccine certificate.
that’s is a California rule not enforced at the border. I travel with my pup through San Ysidro without batting an eye.
Hola Guillermo… happy to read you have not had any issues crossing the border into California with your dog.
However, I always say… better to be safe that sorry. Bring the rabies certificate with you just in case.
=8-)
I am driving with my 2 15# chihuahua mixes to Mazatlán for 6 months. The older one (10yo) has a lot of allergies & I am hoping to bring his (specialized diet) dry dog food (no beef, poultry based) along.
What are the current limitations on the quantity I can bring?
So happy to find your website!
Hola Patt… since you are driving over, the border agents do not check the amount of pet food. (they do check the amount of alcohol). At the airports they do care if you are bringing in a lot of food for the dogs (example: 6 months worth). BTW… most Veterinarians in Mexico will have special diet food or they will order it for you.
I am happy you found my website helpful. That is what I want to do… help fellow travelers with pets! =8-)
Hi – we are in the process of relocating to Isla Mujeres MX. we have 4 dogs and 1 cat and working with someone to drive them from Texas. From everything I have read, seems like crossing the border in south Texas shouldn’t be an issue and no specific documentation or inspection will be required.
However, I am trying to confirm if they will inspect the number of pets in the vehicle? And are there specific limits for the process?
Hola Tyler… interesting question! My question back to you is… how many people will be in the vehicle? You are permitted to import two pets (cats, dogs, or a cat and dog) into Mexico. This limit is per person, so if you are a couple, you can import up to 4 pets. When we crossed at the Columbia Bridge in Texas, the border agents didn’t seem to care about our two dogs. However, we were a family traveling with our dogs. If your friend is traveling alone with 4 pets, he/she may look more like an “importer” and may draw… Read more »
I’m planning on going to Mexico this weekend does my dog need their rabies vaccine to cross the border?
Hola Keila… are you driving or flying to Mexico? If you are driving across the border from the U.S. you do not need a rabies vaccine for your dog. If you are flying into Mexico, the airlines do require a rabies vaccine. Note: staring July 14th the U.S. will be looking for pets that come from countries on the “banned list”. There seems to be an outbreak of dog rabies in some countries. Although Mexico is not on the “banned list” it is highly recommended that dogs/cats have their rabies vaccine.
Safe travels!
I am planning on going to Rosarito with my dog driving from LA. do I need a crate for me dog?
Also, my dog does not have a microchip, is it a must in order to bring him back?
Hola Liliana! You do not need to crate your dog. I highly recommend that he/she has an animal seat belt on. Not only to restrain the dog in the car (in case they want you to roll the windows down) but also for safety reasons. =8-)
You do not need a microchip in order to return back to LA. Just make sure you have a copy of your dog’s current rabies vaccine certificate with you.
Enjoy Rosarito and the great seafood!
Hello!
I wanted to bring my 2 small dogs to Mexico for the weekend to see my dad. I’m fearful of crossing the border too and from with them (they tend to be barky chihuahuas) Is it true that I can “just drive right across the border and back” with them without any documentation? We’re going from Los Angeles to Rosario.
They are emotional support dogs, with current certificate, rabies, and parasite control.
Hola Timothy!
I can appreciate your concern about crossing the border into Mexico. Rest assured you do not need a health certificate from a veterinarian to enter Mexico with your adorable chihuahuas. Since you are coming from the U.S. they won’t bother to inspect your two dogs either.
Just bring your paperwork for their current rabies and parasite control. The U.S. border agents may ask to see that when you return, but I highly doubt it.
Everything will be fine. =8-)
Enjoy your time in Rosario!