BajaNomad - New rules for entering Mexico with pets

New rules for entering Mexico with pets

BajaBlanca - 10-30-2018 at 02:55 AM

Got this from another site:

New pet regulations: Mexico has informed the US Public Health Service that the Mexican border officials will no longer honor “incomplete” health certificates. How vigorously this will be enforced remains to be seen, as most people that have been bringing pets into Mexico for some time can testify – most of the time no one even asks for papers. However, that being said, if you do get checked at the border and no not have the proper paperwork, you have a big problem. The website for the most accurate info is: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/pet-travel/by-country/pettr...

billklaser - 10-30-2018 at 07:46 AM

This seems to come up periodically. If we start to see enforcement, its my understanding the Health Cert is good for 30 days. To comply with that would be aggravating. I just crossed the border about 10 days ago, nothing was mentioned, other that "Nice looking dog".

AKgringo - 10-30-2018 at 08:58 AM

I just drove down to CA from AK. A current health certificate and shot records are required, and I have them, but neither border crossing wanted to see them!

When both countries ignored the 90 pound mutt in the front seat with me, I offered to show them the papers, but they did not want to see them.

The thirty day period will be expired (or close to it) when I cross into Baja, but I think I will gamble that they will accept them or not even ask again.

I have a veterinarian in La Paz, does anyone know if a health certificate acceptable to the US border agents can be written in Mexico?

AKgringo - 10-30-2018 at 09:42 AM

I thought that the change was in enforcement of existing requirements, but what is an acceptable document has indeed changed.

It appears that my recent health certificate is not acceptable, because the information is hand written on a standard form. What is required is a document with typed, or word processed entries, with no abbreviations!

What to do now? Two certificates in two months, or roll the dice?

BajaKeela - 10-30-2018 at 10:13 AM

I just crossed on Sunday ..Had all my papers ready, eg. registration,insurance,FMM,passport, records of health for my dog.. She didn't want to see anything other than the registration of the truck and compared the vin number . And of course asked me where my husband was?..How to say widow?

Lee - 10-30-2018 at 10:16 AM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

What to do now? Two certificates in two months, or roll the dice?

At some point, get creative. Photo shop or whatever is out there.

Doubt anyone is going to be looking at crossed T's and dotted I's.

At least I'm not worried about it.

gueribo - 10-30-2018 at 10:23 AM

Quote: Originally posted by BajaKeela

I just crossed on Sunday ..Had all my papers ready, eg. registration,insurance,FMM,passport, records of health for my dog.. She didn't want to see anything other than the registration of the truck and compared the vin number . And of course asked me where my husband was?..How to say widow?

Viuda = widow

JZ - 10-30-2018 at 10:42 AM

Just go online and get a form and fill it out yourself.

Same as making up invoices for goods you are taking across.

[Edited on 10-30-2018 by JZ]

bajaguy - 10-30-2018 at 01:10 PM

That is because she is Aduna (Customs), not Immigration or Agriculture

Quote: Originally posted by BajaKeela

Mexitron - 10-30-2018 at 01:20 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Just go online and get a form and fill it out yourself.

Same has making up invoices for goods you are taking across.

Not a bad idea, have you tried it with the health certificate? Those forms are available online?

AKgringo - 10-30-2018 at 01:35 PM

The certificate I have includes the veterinarian's name, business address, license and certification info, phone number and signature. Are you going to forge that and hope for the best?

I think I would rather take a chance at being turned back until I get the right document. That is, if they even ask for one!

JZ - 10-30-2018 at 01:43 PM

Quote: Originally posted by AKgringo

The certificate I have includes the veterinarian's name, business address, license and certification info, phone number and signature. Are you going to forge that and hope for the best?

I think I would rather take a chance at being turned back until I get the right document. That is, if they even ask for one!

You think they are gonna call your vet and ask about Fido?

Put your cell number as the contact and give him a clean bill of health if they phone up.

JoeJustJoe - 10-30-2018 at 01:50 PM

Quote: Originally posted by Lee

At some point, get creative. Photo shop or whatever is out there.

Doubt anyone is going to be looking at crossed T's and dotted I's.

At least I'm not worried about it.

Finally some great out-of-the-box thinking on "Baja Nomad!"

With all those fake "service dog" certificates out there, I'm sure there are ways to bypass the rules, and come up with a fake dog health certificate, if you don't have time to to go to the vet and update your dogs records.

Of course if you're caught both you and your dog will be in the dog house.

Of course there will be some that say, "you must follow the RULES!"

basautter - 10-30-2018 at 07:12 PM

Thanks for the heads up, I will pass this on to dog toting fellow travelers :light:

woody with a view - 10-30-2018 at 07:39 PM

Think outside of the box. Tell them it isn’t a dog.

3E2C5EFB-E8F1-4093-956C-033ACC08F0E8.jpeg - 20kB

tbnoble - 10-30-2018 at 08:14 PM

Two trips back (late September), coming back to our home in Socorro from San Diego we were asked for our dog's rabies certificate on the USDA form at the border, which I habitually carry in my briefcase and was able to produce. That is the only thing they even looked at, skipped the ham in the full trunk. Dog is a mini-dachshund and pretty mellow.

Official Form

philodog - 10-31-2018 at 12:40 PM

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/down...

Your vets license # should be on any invoice you have from them.

JZ - 10-31-2018 at 01:39 PM

Quote: Originally posted by philodog

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/regulations/vs/iregs/animals/down...

Your vets license # should be on any invoice you have from them.

There we go! I was looking for it yesterday to post, but didn't locate it.

tbnoble - 10-31-2018 at 02:49 PM

As a corollary question I was going to have Vetzoo here in Card##as do our next rabies shot since we are residents, clearly I won't have a USDA form after this year from him. Is this going to be a possible problem? Trying to anticipate hoop jumping for future.

soylent_green - 10-31-2018 at 02:54 PM

this info gets filed in my folder marked "things someone read on the internet" along with the files marked "you must turn in your FMN even though there is no physical way of getting to the Immigration office without going back into the US", "gringos with Permanent Residency need to drive mexican plated vehicles in baja", and "Make sure you have on clean underwear cuz you are going to get strip searched at the San Ignacio Military checkpoint"

billklaser - 10-31-2018 at 04:26 PM

I'll be prepared to do what is necessary, however let me get this straight. With all the scraggle street dogs running all over Baja, Mexico is now concerned about American dogs crossing the border ??

Hook - 10-31-2018 at 07:33 PM

Quote: Originally posted by billklaser

I'll be prepared to do what is necessary, however let me get this straight. With all the scraggle street dogs running all over Baja, Mexico is now concerned about American dogs crossing the border ??

Don't you remember AMLOs election promise to elevate the quality of tacos in Mexico?

Anyway, friends just crossed at Nogales, AZ today (headed south) and were not asked a thing about their 100 lb, very evident, Labrador in the Sienna.

BajaBlanca - 10-31-2018 at 08:09 PM

hahaha soylent green, clean underwear? that is FUNNY!

mtgoat666 - 10-31-2018 at 08:14 PM

Quote: Originally posted by billklaser

I'll be prepared to do what is necessary, however let me get this straight. With all the scraggle street dogs running all over Baja, Mexico is now concerned about American dogs crossing the border ??

Your question seems to imply you think american dogs chit dont stink. I assure you, american dogs chit does stink :light:

billklaser - 11-1-2018 at 06:22 AM

No Goat, that I do not imply. My point is: Most Americans, at least ones that travel in & out of Mexico with their dogs take very good care of their pets. For example: it is my belief most have Vets take care of issues and keep shots up to date. In other words it looks to me that most dogs traveling look well cared for and healthy.

BajaMama - 11-2-2018 at 11:27 AM

Yep, that is what I do because it is the same form my vet used when we flew into Loreto a few years back. I just copy the vaccinations with the current dates (so none of it is a lie) and sign a name. I also carry a printed vet record of his shots for USA customs, so that is pretty good back up.

Quote: Originally posted by JZ

Just go online and get a form and fill it out yourself.

Same as making up invoices for goods you are taking across.

[Edited on 10-30-2018 by JZ]