U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued a reminder on June 26 that all dogs crossing into the United States from Mexico must carry a CDC Dog Import Form receipt, an ISO-compatible microchip, and proof the animal is at least six months old. Dogs must also appear visibly healthy, free of lesions or wounds, at the time of inspection.
The agency urged travelers to carry recent veterinary records and to review all requirements before arriving at the port of entry. Dogs that fail to meet the checklist can be denied entry, leaving owners stranded at the border with no recourse.
Screwworm Threat Adds Extra Paperwork
The reminder carries extra urgency because of the ongoing New World screwworm threat. Dogs crossing from Mexico must also be accompanied by a health certificate from a full-time, salaried government veterinarian. That certificate must confirm the animal was inspected for screwworm within five days of the crossing date and found free of the parasite.
Mexico is classified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a low-risk country for dog rabies. That classification means dogs originating in Mexico and not traveling to any high-risk country in the previous six months face a simpler, though still strict, set of requirements compared to dogs arriving from high-risk nations.
What Low-Risk Country Dogs Need at the Border
According to the CDC, a dog coming from a low-risk country like Mexico must present the following at the port of entry: a completed CDC Dog Import Form receipt listing the correct port of entry, an ISO-compatible microchip readable by a universal scanner, and one of several acceptable document packages. These include either a Certification of Dog Arriving from a Low-Risk Country form endorsed by an official veterinarian in Mexico, paired with a valid rabies serology titer, or veterinary records including the microchip number covering the previous six months.
Rules Apply to All Dogs, No Exceptions
The CDC has stressed that the rules apply to every dog, including puppies, service animals, and pets that left the U.S. temporarily for a short trip south of the border. A weekend visit to Rosarito or a day trip to Ensenada still triggers the full documentation requirement on return.
Pet owners in Baja California can obtain the CDC Dog Import Form online through the CDC website before traveling. Microchipping is available at veterinary clinics on both sides of the border, though availability in some Mexican cities has been inconsistent since the rules first took effect in August 2024.
CBP officials said travelers should review all requirements before crossing with pets to avoid delays. The original advisory was published by Gringo Gazette on July 6.