Half the fun of a Baja road trip is bringing the dog along for the ride. The good news: taking your pet into Mexico is easier than it used to be. The catch is the trip home – U.S. rules for bringing dogs back tightened in 2024, and showing up at the border without the paperwork can mean being turned away. Here is exactly what you need in both directions.
Into Mexico: no health certificate required – your pet just gets a quick visual inspection. Back into the U.S.: dogs now need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a 15-digit microchip, and (currently) a screwworm-free certificate from an approved vet in Mexico. Rules are changing fast, so confirm with the CDC and USDA APHIS before you go.
Heading into Mexico with your pet
Mexico no longer requires a health certificate for dogs and cats entering as tourists. Instead, when you cross, you take your pet to the Mexican animal-health inspection office (OISA/SENASICA) at the border, where staff do a quick visual check to confirm your pet looks healthy – no signs of contagious disease, no external parasites, no open wounds. A few practical rules:
- Clean carrier: the crate must be clean and contain no hay, straw, or cloth bedding – use an absorbent puppy pad instead.
- Food limits: bring only about one day of “open” pet food; sealed, commercially packaged bags (up to ~50 lb) are generally fine.
- Records help: even though a certificate is not required, carry your pet’s rabies and vaccination records.
Coming back to the U.S. – the part that trips people up
This is where road-trippers get caught off guard. As of 2024, the CDC requires every dog entering or re-entering the United States to meet new rules – even dogs that only crossed for the weekend. For travel from Mexico, that currently means your dog must:
- Be at least 6 months old and appear healthy on arrival;
- Have a working ISO 15-digit microchip (no microchip, no entry);
- Have a completed CDC Dog Import Form – it is free, and the receipt is valid for six months of U.S.-Mexico trips;
- Carry a screwworm-free certificate issued by a SENASICA-authorized veterinarian in Mexico, typically within five days of your return (a recent rule tied to a regional screwworm outbreak).
Because Mexico is not on the CDC’s high-risk list for dog rabies, you generally do not need a rabies titer test. Cats face far lighter requirements than dogs. These rules have changed several times recently, so always verify the current CDC and USDA APHIS requirements close to your travel date.
- 15-digit ISO microchip (have the number written down)
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt (complete it before you head back)
- Screwworm-free certificate from an approved Mexican vet
- Rabies and vaccination records
- Clean carrier with a puppy pad (no hay/straw/cloth)
- Water, a bowl, and your pet’s normal food
- Never leave a pet in a hot car at the border line
Bringing pets is just one more thing to plan alongside your FMM tourist permit and the rest of what to bring to drive to Mexico. For the return trip, see our guide to crossing back into the U.S.
Your U.S. policy does not cover you in Mexico. Get Mexican auto insurance in minutes so the whole family – pets included – travels protected.
Related guides
- Crossing back into the U.S.
- FMM tourist permit for Baja
- What to bring to drive to Mexico
- Why you need Mexican car insurance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a health certificate to take my dog to Mexico?
No. Mexico no longer requires a health certificate for dogs or cats entering as tourists. Your pet gets a quick visual inspection by SENASICA at the border. Bring a clean carrier with a puppy pad and only about a day of open food.
What do I need to bring my dog back to the U.S. from Mexico?
As of 2024, dogs need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, a 15-digit ISO microchip, and currently a screwworm-free certificate from an approved Mexican vet. The dog must be at least 6 months old and appear healthy. Rules change often – verify with the CDC before you travel.
Is the CDC Dog Import Form free?
Yes. The CDC Dog Import Form is free to complete online, and the receipt is valid for six months of travel between the U.S. and Mexico.
Can I bring a cat to Mexico?
Yes. Cats follow the same easy entry into Mexico (visual inspection, no health certificate) and face lighter U.S. re-entry requirements than dogs. Carry vaccination records to be safe.
Does my U.S. car insurance cover me driving in Mexico with my pet?
No. U.S. auto policies are not valid in Mexico regardless of who is in the car. You need a separate Mexican auto insurance policy to drive legally.