New Mexico Beef Import Requirements for Cattle

Mexico

Last Modified: Mar 16, 2022

IRegs for LIVE Animals

Notice: If you have any questions or concerns regarding the procedures and requirements for exporting animals, you should contact the VS Field Office covering the area from which the animal will be exported, the area in which your office is located.

This country allows USDA Accredited Veterinarians to use USDA's online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS) to complete some health certificates.

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USDA Accredited Veterinarian Signature	Electronic Signature Accepted
USDA APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer Signature	Digital endorsement varies by species — see below for more information The health certificate either bears the original ink signature and embossed seal or digital signature/seal

Before going to VEHCS: Scroll below this banner to view animal-specific requirements.

To process some health certificates, VEHCS may need the USDA Accredited Veterinarian to upload the completed fillable PDF version found below. Either save a copy of the PDF below, or return to this page for the health certificate, if prompted by VEHCS.

USDA Accredited Veterinarians, log in here if you wish to use VEHCS.

USDA Accredited Veterinarians, help with using VEHCS is available on the VEHCS Help Page. To walk yourself through issuing a health certificate in VEHCS, click here.

NOTE: The printed paper endorsed health certificate must accompany each shipment. For digitally endorsed health certificates, USDA Accredited Veterinarians can print the health certificate from VEHCS once it is endorsed. For non-digitally endorsed health certificates, you can arrange to have your endorsed health certificate returned via pick-up or by mail (a pre-paid, pre-addressed return label must be provided during certificate submission).

For all cattle and horse health certificates to Mexico, USDA Accredited Veterinarians may issue health certificates electronically through the online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). These certificates will be digitally endorsed by APHIS once received in the system and available for printing by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian once the endorsement is completed by APHIS.

Note: An APHIS-endorsed, printed paper copy must accompany each shipment.

For all other live animal commodities, health certificates may be submitted by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian through VEHCS; however, the APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer's ink (wet) signature with the application of the APHIS embossed seal must appear on the health certificate. To accomplish this, certificates received by APHIS through the VEHCS system will be printed and endorsed in our offices, and the hard copy will be returned when complete. This APHIS-endorsed paper copy must accompany the shipment.

Note: As of June 21, 2019, all cattle, sheep, goats, wild ruminants, and horses being exported to Mexico must have External Parasite treatment listed in the Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Goats, and Zoological Animals sections below.

Important Information for ALL Health Certificates

All health certificates for live animals and germplasm to Mexico must not contain any abbreviations, except for the abbreviations in the Consignor, Consignee, and Accredited Veterinarian and endorsing VMO field. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Dates - January" is accepted while "Jan" is not
- States - Must be the entire word and not the two-letter abbreviation
- Ages - "Months" or "Year" is accepted while "yrs" and "mos" are not
In addition, all health certificates must be typewritten, or done in word processor or computer.
The number of the health certificate must be also typewritten or in a word processor or computer.
Handwritten documents will be rejected.
Mexico will not accept hand-made corrections, erasures, line outs, or cross outs.

Cattle

Health certificates for cattle may be issued electronically by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer through the online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). The APHIS embossed seal is not required.

Note: A printed paper copy of the completed health certificate must accompany each shipment.

Note: As of July 2, 2019, as directed by Mexico, animals treated with Coumaphos can be exported after at least 3 days has elapsed after treatment. Animals treated with Permethrin can be exported after at least 5 days has elapsed after treatment. The withdrawal time for those two products is listed as 0 days.

Breeding Cattle - Protocol and Health Certificate - August 2019
- Blank Page for VEHCS Submissions (if not attaching Animal Information via an Addendum) - October 2019
- Addendum for Rest Stops - September 2010
- Breeding Cattle Export Guidelines from the United States and Canada to Mexico - September 2013
Rodeo Bulls - Health Certificate - August 2019

Note: The exporter should request an import permit 30 days in advance from SAGARPA.

Bovine - Semen - Health Certificate - August 2007
Bovine - In Vivo Embryos - Oocytes - Protocol and Health Certificate - August 2005
Bison - Health Certificate - August 2019
Bovine - In Vitro Embryos - Health Certificate - June 2019
Tips for Avoiding Cut-off Addendum Pages when Using VEHCS - Guidance Document - November 2020

Slaughter Cattle Exported to Mexico from the United States (Except from the Imperial Valley, California) - All approved Mexican ports can be used to export these cattle.

The health certificate (HC) for slaughter cattle is composed of two documents: a) the Slaughter Cattle Health Certificate, and b) the Addendum - List of Animals Covered by the Health Certificate.

Here are the two documents:

Slaughter Cattle - Health Certificate - August 2019
- Addendum - List of Animals Covered by the Health Certificate - March 2015

In addition, the following two documents must accompany the health certificate:

Affidavit of the Owner/Exporter for Restrictive Drugs - March 2015
Addendum of Veterinary Certification - March 2015

The process to export these slaughter cattle is similar to the one used for exporting breeding cattle to Mexico. Inspection of slaughter cattle will be done at the inspection facility at the border. To be familiar with the export process, please refer to the Breeding Cattle Export Guidelines from the United States and Canada to Mexico to export cattle from the United States and Canada to Mexico.

Pilot Projects for Slaughter Cattle Exported to Mexico from Imperial Valley, California through the Port of Mexicali, Mexico and from the State of Arizona through the Port of Nogales, Mexico

Owners/exporters/importers who want to export cattle from Imperial Valley, CA and from Arizona, must obtain an import permit (HRZ) from SAGARPA's office in Mexico. This import permit will contain the requirements to export slaughter cattle from Imperial Valley, CA and will be provided by SAGARPA upon request by the Mexican importer.

Cattle exported from Imperial Valley, CA, and Arizona must have the following documents:

Slaughter Cattle Health Certificate for Imperial Valley - March 2015
Slaughter Cattle Health Certificate for Arizona - November 2019
Addendum - List of Animals Covered by the Health Certificates for Imperial Valley and Arizona - March 2015
Affidavit of the Owner/Exporter for Restrictive Drugs for Imperial Valley and Arizona - March 2015

Horses

Health certificates for horses may be issued electronically by the USDA Accredited Veterinarian and endorsed by the APHIS Veterinary Medical Officer through the online Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS). Please fill out the health certificate correctly otherwise the horses will be rejected at the border. The APHIS embossed seal is not required.

Note: For horses exported to Mexico, the health certificate must state the name of the laboratory and the date that the equine infectious anemia blood sample was obtained from the horse (within 60 days prior to exportation).

Note: A printed paper copy of the completed health certificate must accompany each shipment. Note: Mexico does not require to identify permanent and temporary entry with microchip. For horses (other than slaughter) exported to Mexico, the following methods of identification must be used: marks (silhouette), or tattoo, or microchip. Note: As of July 2, 2019, as directed by Mexico, animals treated with Coumaphos can be exported after at least 3 days has elapsed after treatment. Animals treated with Permethrin can be exported after at least 5 days has elapsed after treatment. The withdrawal time for those two products is listed as 0 days. Note: Even when it is not required in the protocol, slaughter horses to Mexico must be free of ticks. Horses with ticks will be rejected at the border. An affidavit and an Owners Declaration (Form 10-13) must be presented at entry along with the health certificate.

Horses for Reproduction/Sport/Exhibition/Work/Transit for Permanent Admission into Mexico - Health Certificate - July 2019
- Horse Identification Page for Use if Submitting in VEHCS and Animals are NOT Microchipped - November 2020
Equine - Semen - Health Certificate - February 2021
Horses for Temporary Entry Cavalia Company - October 2014
Horses Returning to Mexico after Temporary Entry to the United State (less than 60 days) - July 2019
Horses for 3-day Resident Import from New Zealand - July 2019

Note: Exporters must have an Import Permit (HRZ) from Mexico to use this Certificate.

Horses for Temporary Export to Mexico for Competition - July 2019
European Horses for Export to Mexico after Temporary Stay in US for Competition - July 2019
Horses Health Certificate (Slaughter) - February 2020
- Blank Page for VEHCS Submissions (if not attaching Animal Information via an Addendum) - October 2019
- Horses (Slaughter) Affidavit
- Tips for Avoiding Cut-off Addendum Pages when Using VEHCS - Guidance Document - November 2020

Poultry and Other Avian Species

Note: Mexico has banned the importation of live birds originating from, and transiting through, states with a detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry. Some states with detections may be eligible for export from counties free from HPAI. Please check with your Veterinary Export Trade Services (VETS) Endorsement Office to confirm a state status for HPAI in commercial poultry.

Birds - Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate - May 2018
Birds - Three Days Old - Health Certificate - May 2018

Note: All shipments (by land or air transportation) for hatching eggs and three-day old chicks must have labels describing the shipment applied on all the boxes.

Shipment Description Labels:

Label Submission - August 2013

Certificates/protocols not requiring the fillable VS Form 17-6 include the following:

SPF Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate - February 2016

Note: The HRZ applicable for this commodity is 004-22-1231-USA-USA.

Adult Gallinaceous Birds - Protocol and Health Certificate - January 2015

Sheep and Goat

Note: As of July 2, 2019, as directed by Mexico, animals treated with Coumaphos can be exported after at least 3 days has elapsed after treatment. Animals treated with Permethrin can be exported after at least 5 days has elapsed after treatment. The withdrawal time for those two products is listed as 0 days.

Sheep and Goats for Breeding - Health Certificate - February 2020
Sheep and Goats for Slaughter - Health Certificate - August 2019
Sheep and Goats for Slaughter - Additional Information - March 2017
Sheep and Goats Semen - Health Certificate - May 2017

Swine

Breeding Swine - Health Certificate - October 2013
Swine Semen - Health Certificate - March 2018

Aquatic Animals and Ornamental Turtles for Commercial Use

APHIS Registered Aquaculture Export Facility (RAEF) approval is required for aquatic animals. General APHIS facility inspection (not RAEF) meets the requirements for turtles shipped on this certificate.

Aquatic Species (Turtles, Finfish, Mollusks, Crustaceans and Polychaetes) Intended for Ornamental or Aquaculture Purposes - April 2017

Research / Laboratory Animals

Lab Animals - Guinea Pigs, Mice, Rats, Dogs, Cats, Hamsters - Health Certificate - January 2022
Rabbits for Research - Health Certificate - July 2017

Note: As of April 23, 2010, due to a report of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease in the state of Minnesota, until further notice, Mexico will refuse entry of all non-research rabbits (including pet rabbits) from the United States.

Zoological Animals

Arrdvark - Health Certificate - February 2018
Hyenas - Health Certificate - June 2016
Kangaroos - Health Certificate - May 2014
Meerkat - Health Certificate - May 2016
Otters - Health Certificate - October 2017
Patagonian Hares - Protocol and Health Certificate - October 2010
Peccary - Health Certificate - November 2017
Porcupine - Protocol and Health Certificate - October 2010
Red Panda - Health Certificate - September 2016
Rhinoceros - Health Certificate - September 2015

Note: Mexico will not have this HRZ on the web, but rather will only be issued upon request by Mexican importers.

Tapir - Protocol and Health Certificate - July 2009
Wild Pigs - Health Certificate - February 2017
Wild Rodents - Health Certificate - November 2015
Wild Birds - Health Certificate - September 2019
Penguin - Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate - Available Upon Request Only - October 2021

Other Animals

Bumble Bees - Health Certificate - September 2016
Captive Wild Ruminants - Health Certificate - April 2020

Note: Includes all camelids, excludes bovines and wild cervids

Chinchillas - Health Certificate - December 2017
Ferrets Commercial - Protocol and Health Certificate - August 2012
Greyhounds - Protocols and Health Certificate - May 2012
Kori Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate - July 2016
Reptiles (including Turtles) - Health Certificate for Commercial - June 2016
Wolves - Health Certificate - January 2022
Wild Birds - Albatross - Health Certificate - Available Upon Request Only - December 2020
Wild Birds - Albatross Hatching Eggs - Health Certificate - Available Upon Request Only - December 2020

Obtaining an Import Permit

Note: The exporter must obtain a Sanitary Permit from Mexico for ruminants, swine, and horses.

The name of the person that is listed on the Sanitary Permit must match the name of the person listed on the Health Certificate.
The Health Certificate must contain the following statement for animals exported to Mexico:
- "The animals must be transported in cleaned and disinfected vehicles, and not contact any other animals during their transport. Los vehículos utilizados para el transporte de los animales a la frontera fueron sometidos a limpieza y desinfección antes del embarque y no estar en contacto con otros animales durante el traslado."
A Sanitary Permit is issued by the Division of Animal Health, Ave Mexico No.190, Colonia Del Carmen Coyocan, CP 04700, Mexico DF.
- This permit must be obtained in advance of the importation by the importer.
- The permit shall be submitted to the official veterinarian of The Department of Port and Border Animal Health Inspection at the port of entry.

Ports of Entry

The Exportation of Live Animals to Mexico by Land Ports
Mexican/US Border Ports - List of Sites and Animals Accepted at Ports

Veterinary Services has been informed that border entry points have been authorized by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Agriculture for Livestock, for the importation of livestock from the United States.
An official veterinarian of Mexico has been assigned permanently to each of these ports by the Bureau of Animal Health, Department of Port and Border Animal Health Inspection.
Inspection of livestock will be performed by the official Mexican port veterinarian at facilities in the United States approved by the Bureau of Animal Health. (See Mexican Border Port Facilities.)
Importations by air or by sea may be made under Sanitary Permit when facilities for inspection are available at the port of entry in Mexico.

Mexico Land Port Offices - Sister city on the U.S. side, listed in parentheses

The following documents are required and shall be submitted to the official veterinarian prior to the inspection of the animals:

Sanitary Permit for importation
Origin Health Certificate (VS form 17-140) or computer-generated document, duly signed, and endorsed by VS - The U.S. Origin Health Certificate must be typewritten. Mexican Port Veterinarians will reject any certificates that are handwritten.
Dip Certificate, if applicable
Registration Certificate, if applicable
Original and copy of the commercial invoice
Any additional documents to permit compliance with the requirements established in the regulations

The official veterinarian at the port of entry shall be notified of the pending arrival of animals at the authorized facility by the importer or his agent 24 hours in advance of the arrival of the animals.

Animals to be exported to Mexico will remain in the authorized facility a minimum of 24 hours and may be subjected to procedures of quarantine, clinical observation, inspection, disinfection, immunization, diagnostic tests, or application of appropriate animal health safety measures if the official veterinarian determines that the shipment does not meet all specifications.

Spanish Terminology:
- M.V.Z. - Medico Veterinario Zootecnista
- Delegado - Veterinarian in Charge
- Garita - Building housing official offices, such as customs

Pets

Visit the APHIS Pet Travel Website for information about exporting your pets.

For species not listed, the requirements are not known. However, exporters wanting to ship livestock and/or germplasm, whose requirements are not listed above, should have the interested party (importer/buyer) in the country of destination apply for an Import Permit at the appropriate ministry. This Import Permit will most likely outline the specific requirements.

Additional Information

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Source: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/export/international-standard-setting-activities-oie/regionalization/sa_by_country/sa_m/ct_animal_mexico