Pet travel requirements can change quickly and sometimes without notice. This guide is intended for the typical pet dog traveling by car or RV from the United States to Mexico (such as driving to Puerto Peñasco / Rocky Point) and returning to the United States.
Pet Travel in Sedona, AZ
Pet Travel
At Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic (OCSAC), we assist pet owners with the necessary veterinary requirements that must be completed before traveling internationally.
Whether you are planning a trip across the border or traveling further abroad, our team is here to help guide you through the required health inspections and documentation.
Traveling to Mexico with Your Dog (by Car or RV)
Your Round-Trip Travel Checklist
Before You Go
🇺🇸 → 🇲🇽
Schedule your dog’s veterinary appointment at Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic (OCSAC)
- Tell us the date you plan to cross the border into Mexico.
Have your dog examined for New World Screwworm (NWS)
- Mexico requires the inspection and certificate to be completed no more than 5 days before entering Mexico.
Obtain your NWS Inspection Certificate
- Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic – NWS Inspection Certificate: $45
- Note: Veterinary examination, vaccinations, medications, parasite treatment, and other medical services are additional.
Check your dog carefully before travel
- Dogs entering Mexico should be free of:
- Signs of infectious or contagious disease
- Ectoparasites
- Fresh or healing wounds
Bring the NWS certificate with you
- Keep it readily available when crossing the border.
While You’re in Mexico
🇲🇽
Don’t forget about the trip home! The NWS certificate issued by OCSAC gets your dog into Mexico; it does NOT satisfy the U.S. screwworm requirement for your return trip.
Plan ahead for the following:
Locate an authorized veterinarian in Mexico
- Your dog must be inspected again for screwworm within 5 days before returning to the United States.
- For dogs returning from Mexico, the required certification may be provided by a Mexican clinical veterinarian who has been trained and authorized to issue the certification on behalf of the official government veterinarian.
Obtain your dog’s NWS screwworm-freedom certification
- Keep this documentation with you for the border crossing.
Before You Come Home
🇲🇽 → 🇺🇸
Complete the CDC Dog Import Form
- The CDC Dog Import Form is completed online by the pet owner/importer.
- It is:
- FREE
- Required for each dog
- Available online
- Provided as a receipt you can print or show on your phone
- Note: For typical dogs traveling only between Mexico and the United States, the receipt can be used for multiple entries from Mexico for 6 months, provided the applicable travel circumstances and country of departure do not change.
Confirm your dog meets CDC requirements
- Your dog must:
- Be at least 6 months old
- Appear healthy upon arrival
- Have a microchip detectable by a universal scanner
At The US Border
🇺🇸
Be prepared to present:
- CDC Dog Import Form receipt
- NWS screwworm-freedom certification obtained in Mexico
Remember: The NWS certificate OCSAC issued before your trip to Mexico is NOT the certificate used for your return to the United States.
International Health Certificates
For International Health Certificates—please call our office and speak with our team to learn more. We partner with PetsFly to make this a stress-free experience and to ensure your international travels are trouble free.
PetsFly Contact Details
- Phone: +1 (480) 720-1190
- Website: Petsfly.com
Official Resources
IMPORTANT
International pet-travel requirements are dynamic and may change without notice. Oak Creek Small Animal Clinic assists with the veterinary requirements that must be completed before your dog leaves the United States. Pet owners remain responsible for verifying all current requirements for entering Mexico and returning to the United States. Always check current USDA APHIS and CDC requirements before traveling. Airlines, cruise lines, and other transportation providers may have additional requirements.
USDA APHIS — Taking a Pet Dog From the U.S. to Mexico
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/us-to-another-country-export/pet-travel-us-mexico
Use this page to verify Mexico's current requirements, including the New World Screwworm (NWS) Inspection Certificate required for dogs traveling from the United States to Mexico.
USDA APHIS — Bringing a Pet Dog Into the United States
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/pet-travel/another-country-to-us-import/dogs
Use this page to verify USDA requirements for dogs returning to the United States, including current NWS requirements for dogs coming from Mexico.
CDC — Bringing a Dog Into the United States
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/
Use this page to verify current CDC requirements for dogs entering or returning to the United States.
CDC Dog Import Form — Instructions & Online Form
https://www.cdc.gov/importation/dogs/dog-import-form-instructions.html
Clients can use this page to complete the CDC Dog Import Form and obtain their receipt.
Ready to Schedule Your Pet's Travel Exam?
If you are planning an upcoming trip with your dog, our team is here to help make sure all veterinary requirements are completed on time.
