Bringing Your Dog to Mexico From the U.S. (2026)

To take a pet dog from the U.S. to Mexico, you need a New World screwworm (NWS) inspection certificate signed by a USDA-accredited vet no more than 5 days before you enter Mexico. Mexico has required it since August 3, 2026, and it doesn't need USDA endorsement. Mexico doesn't ask for a health certificate or vaccination card for dogs from the U.S.: officials inspect your dog when you arrive. Coming home, your dog needs a screwworm-freedom certificate from a vet in Mexico and a CDC Dog Import Form receipt.

Last verified September 27, 2026 against official sources

The screwworm certificate (new since August 3, 2026)

Because New World screwworm has been detected in the U.S., Mexico now requires a screwworm inspection certificate for pet dogs coming from the U.S.

Book a visit with a USDA-accredited vet no more than 5 days before you'll enter Mexico.
The vet inspects your dog and fills in the NWS Inspection Certificate for Pet Dogs Moving (Exporting) From the United States to Mexico.
Carry the signed certificate with you. It doesn't need USDA endorsement, so there's nothing to send to APHIS.

A missing or incorrect certificate can get your dog refused entry or held at the border. The form is only for dogs: don't add a cat to it, or the form becomes invalid.

Sources: Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico (USDA APHIS), Traveling with your pet to Mexico (SENASICA)

When you arrive in Mexico

Bring your dog in a clean carrier and go to the agricultural health inspection office (OISA) at the airport or border. SENASICA staff check that your dog:

Shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease
Is free of external parasites, like ticks
Has no fresh or healing wounds
Has the screwworm inspection certificate

If they find ticks, they take a sample for testing and your dog stays at the inspection office until the lab confirms they aren't an exotic species. Any costs are yours.

Your dog can keep its collar and leash.
A dirty carrier, or one with bedding (puppy pads, newspaper, rags), toys or food, gets disinfected and those contents are destroyed.
You can bring only the day's portion of dog food.

Sources: Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico (USDA APHIS), Traveling with your pet to Mexico (SENASICA)

Traveling often?

If you cross between the U.S. and Mexico with your dog regularly, you can ask to join SENASICA's Pet Frequent Traveler Program.

Sources: Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico (USDA APHIS), Traveling with your pet to Mexico (SENASICA)

Coming back to the U.S.

APHIS considers Mexico affected by screwworm, so every dog entering the U.S. from Mexico, including your own dog coming home, needs a screwworm-freedom certificate. It must say your dog was inspected for screwworm within 5 days before travel and is free of it.

In Mexico, a vet authorized by the government can sign it: SENASICA publishes a directory of authorized vets. Your dog is inspected and the certificate reviewed when you arrive in the U.S.

Your dog also needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, like every dog entering the U.S. See our CDC Dog Import Form guide.

Sources: Pet Travel From the United States to Mexico (USDA APHIS), Bring a Pet Dog into the United States (USDA APHIS), CDC Dog Import Form and Instructions (CDC)

Before you go

Entry rules change, sometimes with little notice. This page summarizes the official pages below as of September 27, 2026. Confirm the current requirements with your vet, USDA APHIS and your airline before you travel.

Flying there? Compare airline pet policies. For how USDA endorsement works, see ourUSDA health certificate guide.