Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Hong Kong SAR China → Mexico
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
No fixed wait
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
No fixed wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
Which rules apply to you
Hong Kong SAR China is in the group “Any other country — Certificate of Good Health (15 days)” in Mexico’s published list.See every group
Headlines for Mexico
- Import permit needed
What your dog needs
Dogs
Permit
Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) on arrival
On arrival, ask SENASICA staff at the airport, port or border for the CZI application form for your dog or cat (you can also download it beforehand).
Details and the official words
“you must request the Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) at our offices located at all points of entry into the country (ports, airports, and borders).”
On arrival
Physical inspection on arrival
SENASICA inspects your pet on arrival to check its health. Pets with recent wounds or parasites need treatment first.
Details and the official words
“a physical inspection of your animal will be carried out to verify its health status”
Paperwork
Certificate of Good Health (issued within 15 days)
Bring the original and a copy of a Certificate of Good Health issued no more than 15 days before you arrive, by an official vet or a private vet on letterhead with their licence number. It must show your pet's rabies vaccination (date and validity), that it was healthy at the pre-travel exam, and that it was dewormed inside and out in the last 6 months and is free of external parasites.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
If this is missed: You must use a private vet in Mexico to treat your pet and issue the certificate, at your cost.
“you must present a Certificate of Good Health with a maximum validity of 15 days from its date of issuance”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination (recorded on the certificate)
Your pet's rabies vaccination date and its validity must be on the Certificate of Good Health. Pets under 3 months old are exempt.
Details and the official words
“Date of administration of the rabies vaccine and its period of validity (animals under 3 months of age are exempt).”
Treatment
Internal and external deworming
Your pet must be dewormed internally and externally within the 6 months before travel and be free of external parasites — this goes on the Certificate of Good Health.
Details and the official words
“That the animal(s) have been dewormed internally and externally within the six months prior to travel and are free of ectoparasites.”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Mexico removes and destroys crate bedding, diapers, newspaper, sawdust, rags, toys and treats made with ruminant ingredients. Travel with a clean crate — it will be sprayed on arrival. Collar and leash are fine.
- If parasites such as ticks are found at the inspection, you must pay a vet in Mexico to treat your pet before it's released.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
What your cat needs
Cats
Permit
Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) on arrival
On arrival, ask SENASICA staff at the airport, port or border for the CZI application form for your dog or cat (you can also download it beforehand).
Details and the official words
“you must request the Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) at our offices located at all points of entry into the country (ports, airports, and borders).”
On arrival
Physical inspection on arrival
SENASICA inspects your pet on arrival to check its health. Pets with recent wounds or parasites need treatment first.
Details and the official words
“a physical inspection of your animal will be carried out to verify its health status”
Paperwork
Certificate of Good Health (issued within 15 days)
Bring the original and a copy of a Certificate of Good Health issued no more than 15 days before you arrive, by an official vet or a private vet on letterhead with their licence number. It must show your pet's rabies vaccination (date and validity), that it was healthy at the pre-travel exam, and that it was dewormed inside and out in the last 6 months and is free of external parasites.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
If this is missed: You must use a private vet in Mexico to treat your pet and issue the certificate, at your cost.
“you must present a Certificate of Good Health with a maximum validity of 15 days from its date of issuance”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination (recorded on the certificate)
Your pet's rabies vaccination date and its validity must be on the Certificate of Good Health. Pets under 3 months old are exempt.
Details and the official words
“Date of administration of the rabies vaccine and its period of validity (animals under 3 months of age are exempt).”
Treatment
Internal and external deworming
Your pet must be dewormed internally and externally within the 6 months before travel and be free of external parasites — this goes on the Certificate of Good Health.
Details and the official words
“That the animal(s) have been dewormed internally and externally within the six months prior to travel and are free of ectoparasites.”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Mexico removes and destroys crate bedding, diapers, newspaper, sawdust, rags, toys and treats made with ruminant ingredients. Travel with a clean crate — it will be sprayed on arrival. Collar and leash are fine.
- If parasites such as ticks are found at the inspection, you must pay a vet in Mexico to treat your pet before it's released.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- Bengal and Savannah cats (and crosses) need documents showing they are 5th generation or later of domestic ancestry and not controlled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Hong Kong SAR China to Mexico?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Mexico?
Yes: On arrival, ask SENASICA staff at the airport, port or border for the CZI application form for your dog or cat (you can also download it beforehand).
Will my dog be quarantined in Mexico?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.