Mexico's National Food Sanitary Inspection Service (Senasica) has updated the list of veterinarians accredited to issue rabies-free certificates for the import of dogs from Mexico into the United States. There are currently more than 600 veterinary consultants (MVRAs) on the list from all states of Mexico.
To import a dog from Mexico into the United States, you do not need to obtain a Mexican Animal Health Export Certificate, but you do need confirmation from an accredited veterinarian that the dog is healthy and vaccinated against rabies.
The task of an accredited veterinarian — examine the animal and confirm its clinical health, check the microchip, rabies vaccination and vaccination dates, fill out the paperwork, upload it to the SENASICA electronic system and certify it with an electronic signature, print an official certificate (CZE/CVI) confirming the absence of rabies in the animal and containing a QR code and signature that is accepted at the US border.
The list of accredited veterinarians can be viewed on thispage.
In addition, we would like to remind you of the brief rules for importing dogs from Mexico to the USA.
To enter, you only need the CDC (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) online dog import form (Dog Import Form), which can be filled out herelink. The owner or person importing the dog fills out the form. Filling out is free. A separate form is issued for each dog.
Once you submit the form, CDC will issue a receipt that you can show on your phone or print out. The receipt is valid for up to 6 months if the dog has not visited a country with a high risk of rabies. The receipt can be used multiple times for round trip travel between the US and Mexico as long as it is valid.
Conditions for the dog:
- at least 6 months old at the time of entry,
- presence of a microchip readable by a universal scanner,
- Upon examination, the dog should appear healthy.
Additional veterinary certificates (veterinary passport, rabies vaccination, etc.) are not required if the dog has only been in Mexico over the past 6 months. It is recommended to have supporting documentation in case of airline inspections.
The dog can be brought in through any U.S. airport, seaport, or land border crossing.
The same rules apply to importing dogs from other low-risk countries. If the dog has visited a country with a high risk of rabies (particularly Russia), the rules change: you will need a veterinary certificate, vaccination, serology, an import permit, and then import only through special airports.