What Happens When You Land in Mexico With a Dog
The first international trip I ever took with Beckham was to Mexico. I remember being stressed out when we landed and it hit me all at once.
Where do I have to go for this inspection? What is it actually going to be like?
There is a lot of uncertainty that goes through your mind when you don’t know what to expect.
Landing at the airport
Once you land at the airport in Mexico the process is surprisingly easy if you know what to do. If you are like me and traveling with your dog in the cabin of the plane, you will grab your carrier from under the seat in front of you and put it on the seat while you grab your carry on. I always unzip the top enough that Beckham can poke his head out and have a look around.
Once you exit the aircraft you will have to walk to the customs and immigration area. Usually somewhere along the way keep an eye out for a designated pet relief area or a safe place where your dog can take a quick break.. I’ve been walking behind people with their dog and they are trying to do everything first and forgetting the dog has needs. More often than not I pass them cleaning up an accident in the airport hallway because their dog had been holding it too long.
Getting through immigration can be anywhere from a few minutes to over an hour depending on the airport and time you land. This is another reason to find a spot for your dog to do their thing before immigration if possible. This is a simple process, you will be asked the purpose of your visit, sometimes they ask where you are staying, and that’s about it. Once you get your stamp you will go pick up your luggage.
If your dog was traveling in cargo you will go pick up your dog from the holding area before grabbing your luggage.
The inspection
This is the last step before you are officially allowed into Mexico. The SENASICA official will look over your paperwork to make sure you have everything documented properly. Depending where you are coming from you may have to show your health certificate. I keep all Beckhams documentation in a folder that I keep in my carry-on luggage. I have found no matter what country I am entering, it always goes much smoother if I hand them a well organized folder with all the paperwork.
After looking over the paperwork, your dog will get a quick inspection. This is to make sure there are no obvious signs of disease, visible parasites, and that your dog is healthy. This is usually over in a minute or two. Sometimes they will also take a look at your carrier and give it a quick spray.
If everything is ok, that’s it you are officially in Mexico with your dog.
If there are any concerns or incomplete paperwork that came up during the inspection, you might have to take corrective action which can involve rectifying the situation with a vet visit at the airport or possibly quarantine.
I have been to Mexico many times with Beckham and highly recommend it for a first international trip. If you do your homework and get everything in order before you leave, it is a quick and painless entry process. If you are just starting your planning, I wrote a guide that covers traveling to Mexico with your dog, it is a great starting point and goes over everything you need to know.
