Traveling with a dog to Mexico – Learn how to arrive in the country with your pet

If you are planning to travel with a dog to Mexico, it is necessary to know that some rules and particularities need to be strictly adhered to.

Although the country’s rules on the transit of domestic animals are similar to those of United States, pets must pass inspection at Mexican airports.

So, if you want to know the documents, airline rules and other Mexican requirements, keep reading this article that a PETFriendly Turismo prepared for you.

Let’s go?

DDocumentation required for

Generally, the microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate and the International Zoosanitary Certificate are the documents required for that pets plane travel. 

However, they may have specific rules depending on each country.

Check out some of the main rules for traveling with a dog to Mexico below.

International Zoosanitary Certificate

This document is required for almost all international travel with animals. Without the CZI, your dog doesn’t even board the plane.

For the transit of dogs and cats between countries, the International Zoosanitary Certificate is required. It attests to their condition and health history, as well as meeting the health requirements of the destination country.

This document is issued by the International Agricultural Surveillance System (Vigiagro) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply. 

Every time you take your pet on a trip, you must request a new document, as it is valid for only ten days.

To issue the CZI, it is necessary to schedule an appointment at any International airport, taking: 

• The dog’s medical certificate;
• Vaccination record;

Health certificate to travel with dog to Mexico

Before traveling with a dog to Mexico, you must take it to a veterinarian you trust so that your animal’s health conditions are certified.

Therefore, it must contain the following information:

• Name and address of the owner (in the country of origin) and, if applicable, the destination address in Mexico.
• Date of application of the rabies vaccine and its validity (animals under 3 months are exempt).
• That the animal or animals have been internally and externally dewormed within the last six months and are free of ectoparasites.

The country requires that this document be on letterhead, with a stamp, signature, as well as a professional identification number, following the Attested Model AS -1 Geral.

However, it must be completed in English or Spanish, and be valid for a maximum of ten days from the date of dispatch.

Therefore, schedule the vet appointment for a few days before your trip. After all, in the event of an unforeseen event, you will still have time to take the animal to another professional.

Traveling with a dog to Mexico – Airline Rules

To travel with pets on Aeromexico a vaccination card is required , which includes the application of the rabies vaccine, as well as the CZI and the health certificate in force for five days after the date of issue.

Pets must be at least eight weeks old. Still, females with lactating pups and unweaned animals are not accepted.

Check the rules and inform the company about the transport of the animal at the time of purchase of the ticket and within 24 hours of departure.

cabin trip

For your dog to travel in the cabin of the plane, the carrier must have the following characteristics:

• Have a maximum of 9kg, including the dog’s weight;
• Flexible or bag-like;
• Have adequate ventilation;
• Inner base of the box is made of absorbent material;
• Maximum 40x30x20 centimeters (Width x Length x Height).

trip in the basement

Now if your dog weighs more than 9kg, he can go in the hold of the plane, as long as his weight, together with the transport box, does not exceed 45kg.

The airline recommends that the tutor arrives at the check-in counter 3 hours before boarding. 

This way, to ship the pet, it is necessary that the box:

• It is made of rigid material;
• It has an interior base of absorbent material in one piece;
• Proper ventilation.
• Be the proof of filtrations;
• Have adequate ventilation;
• Have absorbent material on the inside base;
• Have enough space for the dog to turn and lie down;
• Has handles or flaps for easy transport;
• Contains a closing system at the top and bottom, preventing it from opening during the journey;
• Has a maximum of 120 x 110 x 90 centimeters (Width x Length x Height).

The dispatch of animals is a service calculated separately.

What are the requirements for traveling with a dog to Mexico?

The Agricultural Health Inspectorate (OISA) regulates the transport of domestic animals in Mexican territory, which has offices located not only at international airports, but also at ports and land borders.

Whentraveling with a dog to Mexico, you can only bring dog food for the day you enter the country. The country does not allow the entry of beds, toys or snacks.

Your pet will be able to enter the country with a collar and a strap. Your shipping box will be sprayed.

Inspection for traveling with dog to Mexico

Once you arrive in the country, you should go to the OISA office. 

They carry out an inspection to verify that the information contained in the CZI and the health certificate matches the animal presented.

If a parasite is found at the time of inspection, a veterinarian must apply the appropriate treatment to the dog. 

Thus, the pet’s tutor must bear the costs of this procedure. 

Issuance of a health certificate by the OISA

OISA issues a health certificate of authorization to enter Mexico, after inspection.

If you are traveling with up to two dogs, there is no cost, but from the third one, you will have to pay $1,620.00 (Mexican pesos)

Vaccines needed

Another requirement fortraveling with a dog to Mexico is regarding the rabies vaccine. 

In addition, all pets older than three months must present a certificate proving that the injection was administered at least 15 days prior to arrival in the country.

Only animals from the United States and Canada are exempt from this obligation.

Thus, the health certificate must contain information such as:

• Date of vaccination;
• Trade name and serial number of the licensed vaccine; 
• Duration of immunity (in the absence of this information, one year will be considered ).

Although it is not mandatory, the Mexican government recommends that dogs also be vaccinated against:

• Distemper; 
• Hepatitis;
• Leptospirosis;
• Parvovirus;
• Parainfluenza.

Animals under three months old will be able to enter the country without rabies vaccination.

Antiparasitic treatment

To travel with a dog to Mexico, he needs to be free of internal and external parasites.

Treatment must take place within six months before shipment, and the name of the drug used and the date of application must appear on the health certificate.

In addition, some days of the trip, the pet must undergo a procedure against ticks.

On the other hand, the animals will be kept in the doctor’s office if they have any parasites.

Although the vaccination card is not mandatory, it is important to bring it. However, have certified copies of her, the CZI and the health certificate handy.

Banned Races

Although Mexico does not ban any races, some cities do. Therefore, it is important to check the requirement of the city where you are going.

How to travel with a dog to Mexico safely? 

If you intend to travel with a dog to Mexico, start planning your trip as soon as possible, as you will have more time to organize yourself and submit your pet to the proper treatment.

But if you don’t have time or still have doubts, you can count on the services ofPETFriendly Turismo. We are here to guarantee you a smooth trip for your pet.