Official Import Rules
Mexico requires a current rabies vaccination (animals under 3 months of age are exempt) and documentation of treatment against internal and external parasites within six months prior to arrival. Pets must also be free of ectoparasites at the time of inspection.
- Pets from the United States do not require a health certificate and are inspected physically by SENASICA officials upon arrival.
- A health certificate — issued no more than 15 days before arrival and presented in original and copy — is required for pets arriving from countries other than the US and Canada.
- Both dogs and cats require a Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI) to enter Mexico. This is not a pre-travel permit: travellers request the CZI application form directly from SENASICA staff at the port of entry (airport, seaport or border crossing), after which SENASICA performs a document and physical inspection.
- Travellers bringing 1–2 pets do not pay a fee for the CZI. Travelling with 3 or more pets triggers the commercial import process and requires payment of the applicable fee, with customs directing the pets to the cargo area.
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Medical Roadmap
Rabies vaccination
Current, valid rabies vaccination required (animals under 3 months of age are exempt). No minimum pre-travel administration window is specified by Mexican authorities.
Parasite treatment
Documentation showing treatment against internal and external parasites within six months before arrival is required. Your cat must also be free of ectoparasites at the time of inspection.
Health certificate (if required)
Required only for pets from countries other than the US and Canada. If required, must be issued no more than 15 days before arrival and presented in original and copy. Pets from the US are exempt and are inspected by SENASICA upon arrival without prior documentation.
Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI)
Both dogs and cats require a CZI to enter Mexico. There is no pre-travel application — at the port of entry (airport, seaport or border crossing) request the CZI application form directly from SENASICA staff, who will then carry out a document and physical inspection of your cat.
Travel
Arrive at designated port with all original documentation. Pets from the US are inspected physically by SENASICA officials without a prior health certificate.
Preparation Checklist
2 months before
1 month before
15 days before (for non-US origin)
Travel day
Cost Breakdown
Quarantine Information
None. Mexico does not quarantine cats from any country provided documentation is in order.
City & Housing Tips
Mexico City, Guadalajara, San Miguel de Allende, and Mérida are popular with expat cat owners. Mexico has a very cat-friendly culture. Pet-friendly rentals are abundant, especially in expat-heavy areas. Vet care is affordable — a standard consultation costs MXN 300-600.
Vets & Common Parasites
Good veterinary care in major cities at very affordable prices. 24-hour emergency clinics available in Mexico City, Guadalajara, Monterrey. Common parasites: fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms (year-round). Keep cats indoor/outdoor with flea prevention.
Find Vets in MexicoExit Rules — Leaving Mexico
Exiting Mexico requires compliance with destination requirements. For the US, you need a USDA-format health certificate from a Mexican veterinarian, endorsed by SENASICA (Sagarpa).
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, and this applies equally to cats and dogs. SENASICA requires a Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI) for both species, but it isn't something you apply for before departure. Instead, at the port of entry (airport, seaport or border crossing) you request the CZI application form directly from SENASICA staff, who then carry out a document and physical inspection of your cat. So there's no pre-travel permit application, but the import certificate process is required at entry for cats just as it is for dogs.
No. As of December 2019, Mexico no longer requires a health certificate for cats coming from the United States. Pets are inspected physically by SENASICA upon arrival. A health certificate is required only if traveling from countries other than the US or Canada, and must be issued no more than 15 days before arrival, presented in original and copy.
Yes. Most US airlines allow cabin pets on flights to Mexico for $125-200.
Very affordable. A standard vet visit costs $18-35 USD. Medications and treatments are also significantly cheaper than the US or Europe.
Community Tips
Start the paperwork at least 4–6 months before your travel date. Airline pet policies change frequently — always confirm directly with your carrier close to departure. If traveling from outside the US or Canada, allow extra time to obtain a health certificate within 15 days of arrival.
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CatAbroad Editorial
Researched by cat lovers with real international relocation experience. Checked against official government sources and updated regularly. Found an error? Let us know.