Pet travel route
Dog or cat from Mexico to Ecuador: official requirements
Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 5 more.
Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 4 official pages
In short
- Dogs and cats differ on this route: choose Dog or Cat to see just yours.
- On this route: parasite treatment before travel and official stamp on the certificate.
- No rabies blood test, import permit or quarantine on this route for a pet that meets the rules.
At a glance
How early to start (dogs)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Apply for the CZE at a SENASICA office (3 working days to deliver (about 5 calendar days, our conversion))
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (dogs)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Official stamp on the certificate
How early to start (cats)
2 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet
Set by: Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before) (a first vaccination at least 14 days before arrival)
5 days
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Set by: Apply for the CZE at a SENASICA office (3 working days to deliver (about 5 calendar days, our conversion))
The least time the official waiting periods allow. Vet, lab and paperwork appointments come on top.
On this route (cats)
- No rabies blood test
- No import permit
- No quarantine
- Parasite treatment before travel
- Official stamp on the certificate
Rule-change alertsChecked daily
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Rule change for pets travelling from Mexico to Ecuador
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Mexico → Ecuador
What your pet needs
In the order you do them. Each step says whether Mexico (leaving) or Ecuador (entering) asks for it.
Dogs
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your dog's vaccinations against distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Enfermedad de carré (Distemper)”
“Parvovirosis”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
Vet examLeaving Mexico
Health certificate from a private vet
A private vet examines your pet and issues a good-health certificate with its name, microchip number (if it applies), breed, coat colour, sex and age, your name and address in Mexico, and a statement that it has no fresh wounds or signs of infectious disease. It must be no more than five days old (or the validity the destination sets) when you apply.
Details and the official words
“de no más de cinco días de expedido o de acuerdo a la vigencia establecida por el país de destino”
Vet examLeaving Mexico
Physical exam and second stamp on the day of travel
On the day you travel, bring your pet to SENASICA's office at the point of departure. Officials examine it and, if all is in order, give the CZE its second stamp and signature.
Details and the official words
“El día de tu viaje deberás llevar a tu mascota a la oficina de Senasica en el punto de salida, en donde el personal oficial realizará un examen físico, y si todo está en orden, otorgará el segundo sello y firma a su CZE.”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkMexico and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
SENASICA export certificate (CZE), first stamp: When the destination's and Mexico's requirements are met, SENASICA prepares the CZE and gives it a first stamp and signature: you don't need to bring your pet for this. It is free, and valid for 8 calendar days (the destination can set a different validity).
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Es gratuito y tiene una vigencia de 8 días naturales (puede variar en caso de que el país destino establezca una vigencia diferente)”
“se elaborará el CZE y se otorgará un primer sello y firma, no es necesario presentar a tu mascota”
Official stampLeaving Mexico
Apply for the CZE at a SENASICA office
Apply for the Certificado Zoosanitario para Exportación (CZE) at any authorised SENASICA office with the application form, the owner's official ID (plus a signed power of attorney with two witnesses if someone else applies), the health certificate, the vaccination record, a deworming record, a microchip document and lab results, when the destination asks for them. It is delivered within three working days after the working day you submit it.
Details and the official words
“Se te entregará en un plazo de tres días hábiles posteriores al día hábil de la fecha de entrega de tu solicitud”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- SENASICA tells you to look up the destination in its requirements module first: it shows the vaccinations or treatments your pet needs, and when they must be given. If a country isn't in the module, ask SENASICA at reqzoosan.dgsa@senasica.gob.mx.
- If the documents are incomplete or wrong, SENASICA can ask you to complete or correct them, or refuse the request, so leave time.
- The vaccination record must show the vaccine name, laboratory, batch number, expiry date, date given and validity period. Without a stated validity it counts as one year. The rabies vaccine counts from three months of age.
Cats
Get ready
Age ruleEntering Ecuador
Older than 4 months, identified by name, tattoo or microchip
Your dog or cat must be older than 4 months when it enters Ecuador and be identified by its name, a tattoo or a microchip.
Details and the official words
“Los animales de compañía convencionales deberán tener una edad mayor a 4 meses y estar identificados mediante nombre, tatuaje o un microchip.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)
Your pet's rabies vaccination must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador. If it is your pet's first rabies vaccination, at least 14 days must have passed since it was given.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Rabia. - Únicamente para esta enfermedad, en caso de ser la primera vacunación del animal para su ingreso al país, al menos deberá haber pasado catorce (14) días desde el día de la aplicación de la vacuna.”
VaccinationEntering Ecuador
Cats: panleukopenia, rhinotracheitis and calicivirus vaccinations valid on arrival
Your cat's vaccinations against feline panleukopenia, feline viral rhinotracheitis and feline calicivirus must be valid when it arrives in Ecuador.
Details and the official words
“Las siguientes vacunas tienen que encontrarse vigentes al arribo de los animales al país bajo las siguientes consideraciones:”
“Panleucopenia felina”
“Rinotraqueitis viral felina”
“Calicivirus felino”
In the days before you travel
Vet examEntering Ecuador
Vet examination within 10 days before the trip
A vet recognised by your country's official veterinary service examines your pet within the 10 days before the trip and finds it free of signs of infectious or parasitic disease and of healing wounds. The certificate gives the species, age, breed, sex and coat colour.
Details and the official words
“El animal fue sometido a un examen clínico por parte de un médico veterinario reconocido por el Servicio veterinario oficial del país de origen dentro de los 10 días previos al viaje y que al momento de realizar el mismo, éste se encontró libre de signos clínicos de enfermedades infectocontagiosas, parasitarias, así como, de la presencia de heridas en procesos de cicatrización”
Vet examLeaving Mexico
Health certificate from a private vet
A private vet examines your pet and issues a good-health certificate with its name, microchip number (if it applies), breed, coat colour, sex and age, your name and address in Mexico, and a statement that it has no fresh wounds or signs of infectious disease. It must be no more than five days old (or the validity the destination sets) when you apply.
Details and the official words
“de no más de cinco días de expedido o de acuerdo a la vigencia establecida por el país de destino”
Vet examLeaving Mexico
Physical exam and second stamp on the day of travel
On the day you travel, bring your pet to SENASICA's office at the point of departure. Officials examine it and, if all is in order, give the CZE its second stamp and signature.
Details and the official words
“El día de tu viaje deberás llevar a tu mascota a la oficina de Senasica en el punto de salida, en donde el personal oficial realizará un examen físico, y si todo está en orden, otorgará el segundo sello y firma a su CZE.”
TreatmentEntering Ecuador
Internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding
Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 21 days before boarding, with products authorised in your country. The certificate gives the product name, active ingredient and date.
Details and the official words
“El animal recibió un tratamiento antiparasitario interno y externo dentro de los veintiún (21) días previos al embarque con productos autorizados para su uso en el país de origen, detallando nombre del producto, principio activo, y la fecha de aplicación.”
PaperworkMexico and Ecuador
Official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival
The official veterinary service of your pet's country issues (or endorses) an export health certificate, in Spanish or English, stating that your pet meets Ecuador's requirements. It must be issued no more than 10 calendar days before your pet enters Ecuador. Show it on arrival: for a pet in the cabin, with your checked luggage or crossing a land border, it is the only document needed.
Details and the official words
SENASICA export certificate (CZE), first stamp: When the destination's and Mexico's requirements are met, SENASICA prepares the CZE and gives it a first stamp and signature: you don't need to bring your pet for this. It is free, and valid for 8 calendar days (the destination can set a different validity).
“El animal estará amparado por un Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación expedido o avalado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen con fecha de emisión no mayor a diez (10) días calendario previos al ingreso de los animales al Ecuador, mismo que deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés.”
“Para ingresar a Ecuador debe presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación de su perro y/o gato otorgado por el Servicio Veterinario Oficial del país de origen, el mismo deberá presentarse en idioma español o inglés, detallando el cumpliendo de los requisitos sanitarios exigidos por Ecuador.”
“Cuando el perro o gato arribe al país en la cabina del avión junto al pasajero o por un paso fronterizo terrestre, no necesitará obtener el Permiso Zoosanitario de Importación, pero obligatoriamente deberá presentar el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación emitido en el país de origen.”
“Es gratuito y tiene una vigencia de 8 días naturales (puede variar en caso de que el país destino establezca una vigencia diferente)”
“se elaborará el CZE y se otorgará un primer sello y firma, no es necesario presentar a tu mascota”
Official stampLeaving Mexico
Apply for the CZE at a SENASICA office
Apply for the Certificado Zoosanitario para Exportación (CZE) at any authorised SENASICA office with the application form, the owner's official ID (plus a signed power of attorney with two witnesses if someone else applies), the health certificate, the vaccination record, a deworming record, a microchip document and lab results, when the destination asks for them. It is delivered within three working days after the working day you submit it.
Details and the official words
“Se te entregará en un plazo de tres días hábiles posteriores al día hábil de la fecha de entrega de tu solicitud”
Good to know
- These are Agrocalidad's rules for entering mainland Ecuador. The Galápagos Islands have their own biosecurity agency (ABG), which controls what animals may be brought to the islands: ask ABG before planning to take a dog or cat there. We don't cover the Galápagos.
- A pet in the cabin, delivered with your checked luggage, or crossing a land border only needs the export health certificate. If your pet flies in the cargo hold, it also needs an import permit: see the permit step (email the arrival airport 72 hours before arrival).
- If one of the required vaccines isn't approved for use in your pet's country, the export certificate must say so and you must have your pet vaccinated during your stay in Ecuador.
- If your pet will go back to a country that asks for a rabies antibody blood test (at least 0.5 IU/ml, at a lab approved by that country) or a microchip, check this before you travel to Ecuador.
- SENASICA tells you to look up the destination in its requirements module first: it shows the vaccinations or treatments your pet needs, and when they must be given. If a country isn't in the module, ask SENASICA at reqzoosan.dgsa@senasica.gob.mx.
- If the documents are incomplete or wrong, SENASICA can ask you to complete or correct them, or refuse the request, so leave time.
- The vaccination record must show the vaccine name, laboratory, batch number, expiry date, date given and validity period. Without a stated validity it counts as one year. The rabies vaccine counts from three months of age.
Money
What it costs
Government fees exactly as the official pages state them, and what vets and labs in Mexico publish for the steps above. The two are never added together.
Government fees on this route
SENASICA export zoosanitary certificate (CZE): free of chargeLeaving MexicoFree
“Es gratuito y tiene una vigencia de 8 días naturales”
Solicita el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación para mascotas (SENASICA) · as of 2026-10-09
What vets and labs charge Not official figures
Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 10 days before the trip, health certificate from a private vet, physical exam and second stamp on the day of travel400–650 MXN
Mexico: 2 published prices
- Smart Dogs (Del Valle Sur, Mexico City): General consultation (listed as the first item of its 2025 vaccination packages)400 MXN · per consultation · read 2026-10-13
- Pet point (Roma Norte, Mexico City): Dog consultation (40 min) with a Fear Free certified vet; page notes prices subject to change without notice650 MXN · per appointment · read 2026-10-13
Parasite treatmentyour vet · for: internal and external parasite treatment within 21 days before boarding76–265 MXN
Mexico: 2 published prices
- Hospital Veterinario de la Ciudad de México (Agencia de Atención Animal, Gaceta Oficial 18 Feb 2026): Internal deworming at the city-run Hospital Veterinario de la Ciudad de México (2026 fee notice, VAT not applicable)76 MXN · per service · read 2026-10-13
- Smart Dogs (Del Valle Sur, Mexico City): Internal deworming (listed as an item price inside its 2025 vaccination packages, next to a separate consultation line; the page does not say whether it is sold on its own; product not named)265 MXN · per treatment · read 2026-10-13
Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before)400–699 MXN
Mexico: 2 published prices
- Pet point (Roma Norte, Mexico City): Dog vaccination appointment for rabies, Bordetella or Leptospira (same price for each)400 MXN · per vaccination appointment · read 2026-10-13
- ViVien Mascotas (home-visit vet service, Mexico City): Rabies vaccine (Defensor, Zoetis) for an adult dog, given at home699 MXN · per vaccination appointment · read 2026-10-13
Other vaccinationsyour vet · for: dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival289–749 MXN
Mexico: 3 published prices
- Hospital Veterinario de la Ciudad de México (Agencia de Atención Animal, Gaceta Oficial 18 Feb 2026): Multiple (core) vaccine for a dog or cat at the city-run Hospital Veterinario de la Ciudad de México (2026 fee notice)289 MXN · per vaccine per animal · read 2026-10-13
- Pet point (Roma Norte, Mexico City): Dog core (multiple) vaccine appointment450 MXN · per vaccination appointment · read 2026-10-13
- ViVien Mascotas (home-visit vet service, Mexico City): Adult dog six-way vaccine (Vanguard Plus 5 L4 CV), given at home749 MXN · per vaccination appointment · read 2026-10-13
Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: official export health certificate, issued at most 10 days before arrival750–1,750 MXN
Mexico: 3 published prices
- Pet point (Roma Norte, Mexico City): Vet health certificate for a dog travelling to Asia and Europe (same price listed for Canada and South America)750 MXN · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
- ViVien Mascotas (home-visit vet service, Mexico City): International medical certificate for a dog issued by a vet (MVZ), home-visit service; prices shown publicly, booking needs an account1,499 MXN · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
- Pet point (Roma Norte, Mexico City): Screwworm-free plus health certificate for travel to the USA1,750 MXN · per certificate · read 2026-10-13
Prices that businesses publish on their own pages, quoted as we read them; yours can differ. Ranges are the lowest to highest of these examples, never our estimate. How we collect prices
Airline fees aren’t included: check your airline’s pet page.
Round trip
Coming back to Mexico
Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Mexico.
The trip back asks for 7 steps: Zoosanitary Import Certificate (CZI) on arrival, physical inspection on arrival, certificate of Good Health (issued within 15 days) and rabies vaccination (recorded on the certificate) and more.
Nearby routes
Other routes
Where this comes from
Official sources
- Ingreso al Ecuador de animales de compañía (perros y gatos) (Agrocalidad)
- Requisitos zoosanitarios para la importación de animales de compañía (Agrocalidad, March 2026)
- Agencia de Regulación y Control de la Bioseguridad y Cuarentena para Galápagos: trámites (gob.ec)
- Solicita el Certificado Zoosanitario de Exportación para mascotas (SENASICA)
Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.
Questions owners ask
Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Mexico to Ecuador?
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 or cat into Ecuador?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog or cat be quarantined in Ecuador?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
How early should I start preparing my pet for Mexico to Ecuador?
With nothing done yet, start at least 2 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: rabies vaccination valid on arrival (a first vaccination at least 14 days before), dogs: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis and parvovirus vaccinations valid on arrival and vet examination within 10 days before the trip and 5 more.
Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake
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