Taking a Cat to Mexico from the UK in 2026: Everything you need to know

Taking a cat from the UK to Mexico is very achievable, but it does require careful planning, the correct vaccinations, parasite treatment, and a UK Government Export Health Certificate (EHC 3915) issued within a strict timeframe.

Your airline rules, travel route, and whether you plan to return to the UK can all affect what documentation is required, so it’s important to plan early.

At PassPets, we regularly assist owners travelling to Mexico with their cats and can arrange the required Export Health Certificate through one of our Official Veterinarians. Below is a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s typically required.

Step 1: Microchip

Your cat must be microchipped with an ISO-compliant microchip (ISO 11784/11785).

The microchip number must match all documentation exactly.

If your cat has a non-ISO microchip, you will need to check directly with the Mexican importing authorities whether this will be accepted.

Step 2: Rabies vaccination

Rabies vaccination is a core requirement for cats travelling to Mexico.

Key rules:

• Rabies must be administered at least 15 days but less than 12 months before the export date

• A rabies vaccination certificate is required and must be attached to the Export Health Certificate

We generally advise allowing at least 21 days between the rabies vaccination and the EHC appointment. This helps avoid airline issues and allows flexibility if an EU Animal Health Certificate is required for transit.

Cats under 3 months old

In limited circumstances, cats under 3 months of age may be able to travel without a rabies vaccination. In this scenario, we can issue the EHC without rabies vaccination, but it is the owner’s responsibility to confirm acceptance with both the airline and the Mexican authorities.

We would not encourage travelling with young pets that have not been vaccinated for rabies.

Step 3: Other vaccinations (recommended)

Vaccinations for:

• feline rhinotracheitis

• calicivirus

• panleukopenia (TriCat / RCP)

are not an essential requirement for us to certify the Export Health Certificate.

However, we would strongly advise you to ensure these are up to date anyway, and some non-official sources suggest these may be expected by border control.

Step 4: Planning your travel date and route

Before booking your certification appointment, you should confirm:

• your intended export date, and

• your full travel route, including any transit countries.

Additional documentation may be required depending on the route taken, even where you do not leave the airport during transit.

Step 5: Export Health Certificate (EHC 3915)

Mexico requires a UK government-issued Export Health Certificate (EHC 3915) issued by an Official Veterinarian.

Timing rules:

• the EHC appointment must take place within 48 hours (2 days) of export

• there is no timestamp on the certificate, so the appointment can be at any time within this window

• your cat must arrive in Mexico within 7 days of the EHC being issued

At the EHC appointment, our Official Vet will:

• perform a full clinical examination of your cat

• check the microchip

• review the rabies vaccination certificate and clinical history

• confirm parasite treatment status

• issue the completed Export Health Certificate (assuming all requirements are met)

Appointments are available at our Havant, Bristol, and London branches.

Step 6: Internal and external parasite treatment

Cats travelling to Mexico must have received internal and external parasite treatment within the last 6 months.

We will need either:

• written, dated proof from your vet confirming what treatment was given (including product name, manufacturer, date, and administering vet details), or

• we can administer the treatment at your EHC appointment and issue a separate parasite treatment certificate

Step 7: Airline requirements and Fit to Fly certificates

You must check directly with your airline whether they require a Fit to Fly certificate in addition to the Export Health Certificate.

Airlines may also have additional rules relating to:

• carrier specifications

• the number of pets travelling per passenger

If a Fit to Fly certificate is required, we can usually issue this alongside the EHC.

Step 8: Transit countries

If your journey involves transiting through other countries, additional documentation may be required. This can include:

• an EU Animal Health Certificate

• another Export Health Certificate

• other country-specific documentation

You should check with:

• your airline

• the importing authorities of any transit country

• the Mexican importing authorities

and let us know if additional certification is required.

Step 9: Returning to the UK (if applicable)

If you plan to return to the UK from Mexico, further steps are required.

This typically includes:

• a rabies blood test (rabies serology) taken more than 30 days after rabies vaccination

• testing at a government-approved laboratory

You must also confirm with APHA whether a 3-month waiting period applies if the blood sample was taken in the UK prior to travel.

UK re-entry rules are strict, so this should be considered early in your planning.

How PassPets can help

Travel to Mexico with a cat requires:

• correctly timed rabies vaccination

• parasite treatment evidence

• an Export Health Certificate issued within 48 hours of departure

• careful checking of airline and transit requirements

At PassPets, we:

• review vaccination records and timing

• advise on travel routes and transit considerations

• prepare and check documentation in advance

• arrange the final Official Vet appointment to issue the Export Health Certificate

If you’d like help taking your cat to Mexico, or if you’d like us to review your plans before booking, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help.

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