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Pet travel route

Dog or cat from Mexico to Uruguay: official requirements

Possible. With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and 6 more.

Rules checked up to 12 October 2026From 4 official pages

Make my dated plan Reverse: Uruguay → Mexico

In short

At a glance

How early to start (dogs)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

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
  • Extra disease test
  • Official stamp on the certificate

How early to start (cats)

3 weeks

if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet

Set by: Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) (at least 21 days before entry, for a first vaccination)

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

Prefer a feed reader? Mexico rule changes · Uruguay rule changes

Mexico → Uruguay

What your pet needs

In the order you do them. Each step says whether Mexico (leaving) or Uruguay (entering) asks for it.

Dogs

  1. Get ready

    1. IdentificationEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate

      Your dog must be identified with a microchip whose number is on its international health certificate. The chip must meet ISO 11784 and use HDX or FDX-B technology (read with an ISO 11785 reader); if it doesn't, bring a reader that can read it. MGAP's pages don't ask for a microchip for cats.

      Details and the official words

      “Deberá estar chipeado conforme a Resolución Nº 273 de DGSG de 27/08/2018,”

      “A partir del 1ºde octubre de 2018, los animales de la especie canina no residentes, deberán ingresar y egresar del país, con identificación individual mediante dispositivo electrónico (microchip), asociado al Certificado Sanitario Internacional expedido por la autoridad sanitaria competente del país de origen.”

      “Los microchips colocados en el extranjero, deberán cumplir con la norma ISO 1 1784 y aplicar la tecnología HDX o FDH-B. Los mismos se leerán con un lector compatible con la norma ISO 11785. En caso que el dispositivo colocado no cumpla con las normas precedentes, el responsable deberá proveer de un lector que permita la lectura del microchip al ingreso al país.”

    2. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. TestEntering Uruguay

      Dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry

      Dogs from a country that hasn't declared itself free of leishmaniosis to WOAH need a negative leishmaniosis test (IFAT, ELISA or direct agglutination for antibodies, or a molecular test for the parasite), done to WOAH's manual no more than 60 days before entering Uruguay. The result goes on the certificate or passport.

      The official wording is ambiguous. Confirm this point with the authority.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP doesn't list which countries have declared themselves free of leishmaniosis to WOAH, so we show the test for every dog. Ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) whether your dog's country of origin is exempt.

      “Para los países que no se declaren como libres de Leishmaniosis ante la OMSA, se exigirá la prueba de detección de la respuesta inmunitaria negativa a dicha enfermedad (IFAT, ELISA o prueba de aglutinación directa), o detección del agente (por métodos moleculares), en un plazo no mayor de SESENTA (60) días anteriores a la fecha de ingreso del canino a Uruguay.”

    2. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    3. 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”

    4. 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.”

    5. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your pet is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate. For dogs, the internal treatment must contain praziquantel.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    6. PaperworkMexico and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      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).

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “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”

    7. 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”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • 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

  1. Get ready

    1. VaccinationEntering Uruguay

      Rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)

      Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country it comes from, and the vaccination must still be valid (as the manufacturer states) when it enters Uruguay. After a first vaccination, wait at least 21 days before entering Uruguay. The certificate gives the date, type, batch and brand of the vaccine.

      Details and the official words

      For dogs, MGAP adds that a dog coming from a country or zone that meets WOAH's conditions to be declared free of rabies may enter without the vaccination if the certificate or passport states this. MGAP doesn't publish a list of such countries, so we show the vaccination: ask MGAP (dsacomercio@mgap.gub.uy) if your dog comes from a rabies-free country.

      “Los perros deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Los gatos deben estar vacunados contra la rabia con vacunas autorizadas por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen / procedencia y con inmunidad vigente según el plazo de validez otorgado por el laboratorio fabricante de la vacuna.”

      “Cuando se trate de animales vacunados por primera vez, la vacuna debe haber sido aplicada al menos VEINTIÚN (21) días previos al ingreso a Uruguay.”

      “Si el animal proviene de un país o zona que cumple con las recomendaciones establecidas en el Código Terrestre de la ORGANIZACIÓN MUNDIAL DE SANIDAD ANIMAL (OMSA) para ser declarado libre de Rabia, podrá ingresar sin la vacunación contra esta enfermedad, debiéndose certificar esta condición en el CVI o Pasaporte.”

  2. In the days before you travel

    1. Vet examEntering Uruguay

      Vet examination within 10 days before the certificate

      Within the 10 days before the certificate is issued, a vet licensed in the exporting country examines your pet and confirms it is clinically healthy, shows no sign of parasites and is fit to travel to Uruguay. It must be free of signs of infectious and parasitic diseases.

      Details and the official words

      “Su mascota fue sometida, dentro de los diez (10) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI, a un examen clínico efectuado por un profesional veterinario matriculado en el país exportador, que acredite que dicho animal se encuentra clínicamente sano, sin evidencias de parasitosis y que está apto para su traslado hacia Uruguay.”

      “Su mascota debe estar libre de síntomas y signos de enfermedades infecciosas y parasitarias.”

    2. 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”

    3. 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.”

    4. TreatmentEntering Uruguay

      Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate

      Your cat is treated against internal and external parasites within the 15 days before the certificate is issued (or the passport is endorsed), with products approved in the country it comes from. The date and product go on the certificate.

      Details and the official words

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, realizada dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia. El antiparasitario interno deberá contener como principio activo Praziquantel.”

      “Desparasitación interna y externa donde conste fecha y producto aplicado, dentro de los QUINCE (15) días previos a la fecha de emisión del CVI o a la intervención del Pasaporte, con productos veterinarios aprobados por la Autoridad Veterinaria del país de origen/procedencia.”

    5. PaperworkMexico and Uruguay

      International veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority

      Your pet enters with an international veterinary certificate (CVI) issued by the official veterinary authority of its country of origin, stating the examination, parasite treatments, rabies vaccination and (dogs) microchip and leishmaniosis test. An official pet passport is accepted instead only if an official vet of that authority has signed and stamped it before boarding. Present it with your pet at MGAP's office at the border.

      Details and the official words

      MGAP's entry pages don't say how long the certificate stays valid for entry; its exit page says certificates for travel within Mercosur are valid for 60 days. Ask your vet to issue it as close to travel as the 10-day examination and 15-day parasite windows allow.

      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).

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, conforme a la Resolución Mercosur GMC 17/15, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Al momento del ingreso al país, debe presentar, en el paso de frontera de ingreso, un Certificado Veterinario Internacional (CVI), emitido por la autoridad oficial de su país de origen, donde consten las siguientes declaraciones:”

      “Vacuna antirrábica vigente (en el CVI deberá constar fecha de vacunación, tipo, serie y marca de vacuna).”

      “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”

    6. 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”

  3. Travel day and arrival

    1. On arrivalEntering Uruguay

      Show your pet and documents at MGAP's border office

      When you enter Uruguay, present your pet and its documents at MGAP's office at the border crossing. No import authorisation is needed for a dog or cat travelling with you, and there is no charge.

      Details and the official words

      “Presentar la documentación solicitada y la mascota, en las oficinas del MGAP dispuestas en los pasos de frontera al momento del ingreso al país.”

      “Si ingresa a Uruguay junto con su perro o gato, no es necesario presentar autorización de ingreso emitida por MGAP.”

      “Perros y gatos: no tiene costo.”

Good to know

  • MGAP accepts an official pet passport instead of the certificate only if it is valid, holds all the health information required and has been signed and stamped by an official vet of the animal health authority of the country before boarding. A passport without that official validation is not accepted.
  • If your pet arrives as cargo at Carrasco airport (even on your own flight), MGAP must be told at least 72 business hours before arrival by email to aeropuertoic@mgap.gub.uy, with the documents scanned.
  • Staying less than 30 days? You can leave Uruguay with the same certificate you entered with, as long as it states how long it is valid; otherwise you need a new certificate from MGAP to leave.
  • 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

What vets and labs charge Not official figures

  • Microchipyour vet · for: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate1,799–2,200 MXN

    Mexico: 2 published prices

  • Rabies vaccinationyour vet · for: rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination)400–699 MXN

    Mexico: 2 published prices

  • Vet examinationyour vet · for: vet examination within 10 days before the certificate, health certificate from a private vet, physical exam and second stamp on the day of travel400–650 MXN

    Mexico: 2 published prices

  • Parasite treatmentyour vet · for: internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate76–265 MXN

    Mexico: 2 published prices

  • Health certificate (vet’s fee)your vet · for: international veterinary certificate (CVI) from the official authority750–1,750 MXN

    Mexico: 3 published prices

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 (dogs).

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.

Nothing for the trip back has to happen before your pet leaves Mexico (cats).

The trip back asks for 6 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.

Every step from Uruguay to Mexico

Nearby routes

Other routes

Where this comes from

Official sources

Last checked against the official pages: 2026-10-12.

Entering UruguayLeaving MexicoReport a mistakeGet rule-change alerts

Questions owners ask

Does my dog or cat need a rabies blood test to go from Mexico to Uruguay?

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 Uruguay?

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 Uruguay?

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 Uruguay?

With nothing done yet, start at least 3 weeks ahead for a dog. The main steps: dogs: microchip (ISO 11784, HDX or FDX-B), linked to the certificate, rabies vaccination, valid on arrival (21 days after a first vaccination) and dogs: negative leishmaniosis test within 60 days before entry and 6 more.

Every rule here is quoted from the official page and checked word for word; not legal advice. How we verify · Report a mistake

Read next

Turn this into dates for your pet

Where from, where to, when. You get every step with its deadline and the official page it comes from.

Make a dated plan