Flying With a Dog to Mexico? New NWS Requirements Effective August 3, 2026
Effective August 3, 2026, Mexico requires a New World Screwworm Inspection Certificate for pet dogs that have stayed in the United States before entering Mexico.
In Mexico, New World Screwworm is known as gusano barrenador del ganado (GBG). Because this certificate is time-sensitive and forms part of the animal-health inspection performed upon arrival, it should be addressed during the initial planning of any flight carrying a dog.
Separate NWS documentation requirements apply to pet birds. Operators transporting birds should review the applicable species-specific guidance published by USDA APHIS before departure.
Who Is Subject to the New Requirement?
SENASICA has clarified that this requirement applies only to animals that have stayed in the United States of America.
Animals transiting through the United States or arriving from third countries are exempt from this requirement.
Operators should therefore confirm the animal’s country of origin and travel history when determining whether the NWS/GBG documentation is required.
The Requirement Applies to All Dogs
Service, assistance and emotional-support designations do not provide an exemption. For import purposes, SENASICA recognizes all dogs as pet dogs.
Therefore, any dog subject to the NWS requirement must meet the same animal-health conditions, regardless of its function, training, certification or designation.
The NWS Inspection Certificate
Any dog subject to the requirement must travel with the official NWS Inspection Certificate for Pet Dogs Moving (Exporting) from the United States to Mexico.
The certificate must:
Be completed and signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Confirm that the dog was inspected and found free from New World Screwworm or, if an infestation was detected, was isolated and treated until free from NWS and all wounds were fully healed.
Be issued no more than five days before the dog’s entry into Mexico.
Accompany the dog during travel.
The five-day window is based on the dog’s date of entry into Mexico—not its departure date from the United States.Any delay or schedule change should prompt an immediate review of the certificate.
The official certificate is a two-page bilingual form covering the veterinary clinic, owner, dog identification, NWS inspection and veterinarian certification details. It provides space for multiple dogs, but each animal must be identified individually.
The veterinarian must include their USDA accreditation number, cross out the certification statement that does not apply and sign the certificate by hand using an ink color different from the document print. Digital signatures are not accepted.
The current form should be downloaded directly from the official USDA APHIS page for pet travel from the United States to Mexico.
Finding a USDA-Accredited Veterinarian
USDA accreditation is voluntary, and not every veterinarian is authorized to complete international animal-travel documentation.
Travelers may:
Ask their regular veterinary clinic whether it has a USDA-accredited veterinarian.
Use the official USDA NVAP veterinarian search tool.
The veterinarian must be accredited in the state where the inspection is performed. Travelers should also confirm that the veterinarian can complete the specific NWS Inspection Certificate required by Mexico.
Not every accredited veterinarian appears in the public directory. Additional guidance is available on the USDA APHIS veterinarian information page.
Arrival and Inspection in Mexico
Upon arrival, the traveler must contact SENASICA and present the NWS Inspection Certificate.
The Certificado Zoosanitario para Importación (CZI) form must also be completed. It may be obtained and completed upon arrival or downloaded and completed in advance from the official SENASICA application page, downloaded and completed in advance from the official SENASICA application page.
We recommend preparing the application before departure and sharing a copy with the local handler, ground agent or trip support provider.
SENASICA will review the documentation and physically inspect the dog to confirm that it:
Shows no signs of infectious or contagious disease.
Is free of ectoparasites.
Has no fresh or healing wounds.
The NWS Inspection Certificate and CZI are separate requirements. Additional procedures required by SENASICA, customs or other authorities may also apply.
Possible Delays During the Inspection
If ectoparasites are detected, the owner or importer must arrange veterinary treatment before the dog can be released.
Any veterinary treatment, inspection, testing, holding or related expenses are the responsibility of the owner.
Because this process may take time, operators should allow some flexibility when coordinating passenger transportation and the flight schedule—especially when working within limited airport operating hours or planning a quick turn or next leg.
Do Not Overlook the Return to the United States
The documentation used to enter Mexico does not replace the requirements for the dog’s entry or re-entry into the United States.
Before departure, operators should review the current requirements established by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Return requirements should be considered during the initial planning stage—not after the dog has already departed the United States.
For current information, consult the official APHIS requirements for dogs entering the United States and the CDC dog-import guidance.
Animal-entry requirements may change with limited notice.
CST Flight Services helps operators identify the requirements applicable to each flight, coordinate with the relevant authorities and anticipate how animal-health procedures may affect the operation and flight schedule.