aster
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Posts: 24
Registered: 12-15-2013
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Crossing the border with canines - current regulations?
So we've done a little research & talked to our vet about what's required to take our dog south of the border for the first time in a couple
weeks. Thing is, I'm seeing all sorts of different requirements and timelines for the health certifications, in some cases the various official gob.mx
sites seem to contradict themselves.
Hoping a Baja veteran or two can clear this up.
1. Current rabies shot no less than 30 days before travel. This we have, long as Mexico acknowledges 3-year vaccines.
2. Health certificate from vet. This is mostly where I'm confused. Different sites say this must date within 15 days of crossing, or 10, or 7, or even
3 (which would be impossible as we'll be on the road the prev week). The most official looking govt site lists no dates at all. Which is it?
3. Seen other sites saying the dog must have docs that they've been treated for parasites or something. This we haven't done as there's been no need
(tho we'll do tick & heartworm prevention at home beforehand).
Heard others mention that they rarely if ever have been checked. But also heard there were tighter regulations in 2013, figure it's best to be
cautious because getting turned back would be a drag.
And I've gathered the current rabies shot is all that's needed to return to the US?
Probably I'm overthinking this but better safe than sorry.
Also just to confirm - crossing with a vehicle, all that's needed is current reg, Mexican insurance, and DL?
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DawnPatrol
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Registered: 11-19-2013
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Haven't been checked in a couple years now bringing a dog across
I used to have my vet provide a "transportation certificate" which showed all current vacinations...
I was only asked one time about the dogs papers (right at TJ entry) I showed the guy the papers and I got the feeling he was actually suprised I had
any papers to show him. It looked as though he couldnt even read what it documented....
So after about 20 times going south with a dog I was asked once....
Going NORTH I never had customs ever ask anything except if the dog was a US dog
Maybe someone else can chime in with more current info
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aster
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Registered: 12-15-2013
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Thanks DawnPatrol, good to know.
Another point I forgot - the gob.mx site states that only 1 day's supply of dog food is allowed across. As our dog is up there in years (12) and has a
specialized diet that would be a bummer, is this usually ignored too?
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RnR
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We have taken 2-4 dogs (varied over the years) both northbound and southbound for 19 years.
Have only been asked once (by US northbound) if I had papers for the dogs. He just asked, didn't ask to see them.
We used to get all the papers, records, etc. After five or six years of no asking, I just don't bother. The worst that could happen is I would run
into a vet's office in San Diego or just go to one of the other crossings and try again.
Mexico does not recognize a three year vaccination. One year only. The only place I've heard of any checking has been at airport ports-of-entry. We
just run with the three year vaccines at the land borders.
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BajaBlanca
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Registered: 10-28-2008
Location: La Bocana, BCS
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We just crossed into States 3 days ago. The officer never asked for paperwork. We had it updated a week before but like I said, he never asked for
it.
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DawnPatrol
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| Quote: | Originally posted by aster
Thanks DawnPatrol, good to know.
Another point I forgot - the gob.mx site states that only 1 day's supply of dog food is allowed across. As our dog is up there in years (12) and has a
specialized diet that would be a bummer, is this usually ignored too? |
wouldn't worry about this at all
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tjsue
Senior Nomad
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Location: San Diego
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I crossed with a rescue dog earlier this month, and wasn't asked for anything.
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absinvestor
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I agree with the other's comments. We cross with a health certificate and proof of current on rabies tests. We have crossed dozens of times and have
never been asked but better safe than sorry. As for the dog food- that is a different issue. Going into Mexico is no problem but on our last two trips
back into the US the customs agents confiscated all our dry dog food. We feed our dog good food ie Eukanuba and Blue Wilderness. Had the original bags
etc but it didn't matter- they took the part filled bags and what was in the dog dish. Seems they are concerned with chicken based products purchased
in Mexico- Unfortunately they weren't interested in my word that the food had been purchased in the US!!
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dtbushpilot
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Driving south I've never been asked but I do know that MX only considers rabies shots valid for 1 year. We get a health cert for the dog if flying but
never driving north or south. Have crossed many times both directions with dogs and cats and have never been asked for anything. We always carry
rabies vaccination records (1 year max) just in case. Just crossed north at Tecate this afternoon with 2 cats and a dog, got flagged for a random
secondary trip, no discussion about the animals or obvious pet food.
[Edited on 12-22-2013 by dtbushpilot]
"Life is tough".....It's even tougher if you're stupid.....
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Whale-ista
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Location: San Diego
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Mood: Sunny with chance of whales
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In my experience, most vet receipts have required vaccinations listed on bottom and date of last vaccination/expiration. If you don't have time to get
to your vet, check the most recent receipts and take a copy along.
As others have noted: in 20+ years of border xing with dogs, I've never been required to show proof of health, but I've always carried the Information
just in case.
Regarding returning with pet food- what if it contains no chicken? Does content matter? (I get a salmon recipe at costco)
\"Probably the airplanes will bring week-enders from Los Angeles before long, and the beautiful poor bedraggled old town will bloom with a
Floridian ugliness.\" (John Steinbeck, 1940, discussing the future of La Paz, BCS, Mexico)
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MontyF
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have not been checked in 10 years - all crossings at Mexicali and Calexico
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KasloKid
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We have a miniature poodle, and have been asked by US customs every time for papers, and had to produce them. (entering the US, that is.) Never been
asked entering Mexico. Crossed mostly at Tecate, sometimes Mexicali and San Luis.
Anyone hear more about the "new" regulation that dogs have to be secured by means of a seatbelt or in a kennel? (Mexico only....) I think the term
used was "restrained", whatever that means.
[Edited on 12-22-2013 by KasloKid]
[Edited on 12-22-2013 by KasloKid]
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nbacc
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Location: Northern California
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Never been asked in all the years we have been giong but would not dream of going either way without the papers. Nancy
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