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International Live Animal Shipping: Dogs, Horses and the Rules

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A show dog flying to a championship, a jumper moving to a new barn or a litter joining new families abroad. Moving live animals is unlike moving any other cargo: arriving is not enough. The animal has to arrive healthy, calm and with the paperwork every animal health authority expects at origin, in transit and at destination.

At Kold Gold we have moved live dogs and live horses. This guide sums up what we learned and what the authorities say, so you can plan the trip without surprises.

Regulatory information verified as of October 1, 2026.

What changes when the cargo is alive?

Almost everything. A live animal:

  • Can't wait. A long layover, a cancelled flight or a closed customs office becomes an animal welfare problem, not just a delay.
  • Depends on temperature. Heat on the tarmac or in a poorly ventilated hold is the most serious risk, especially for short-nosed dogs.
  • Needs health documents issued by authorized veterinarians, with short validity windows (sometimes days), that must match the animal traveling.
  • Travels under airline rules that go beyond the law: many airlines have their own restrictions by breed, season or route.

That's why live animal transport is planned backwards: start from the date the animal must arrive and count back the certificates, tests and bookings.

Which authority is involved in Mexico?

In Mexico, the authority is the National Service for Agri-Food Health, Safety and Quality (SENASICA).

Imports. Animals arriving in Mexico go through the Agricultural Health Inspection Office (OISA) at the port, airport or border crossing. Officials check that the animal matches its paperwork, its health status and the absence of external parasites. If something is found, treatment is at the owner's expense. Each species and country of origin has its own zoosanitary requirement sheet; dogs and cats traveling as pets follow a simplified procedure, while other species and commercial imports have specific requirements. Once these are met, SENASICA issues the zoosanitary import certificate.

Exports. If the destination country requires it, the exporter requests the zoosanitary export certificate from SENASICA through Mexico's Single Window for Foreign Trade (VUCEM). SENASICA publishes an online lookup of export requirements by country and species. In practice, the destination country rules: its requirements set which tests, vaccines and timelines the certificate must cover.

Key point. Requirements change by species, country, purpose (pet, sale, breeding, competition) and active animal health alerts. Check the applicable requirement sheet before booking the flight.

What does the US require for dogs leaving Mexico?

The United States is one of the most frequent destinations, and two agencies are involved:

CDC (rabies). Since 2024, every dog entering the US must be at least 6 months old, have a microchip readable by a universal scanner, appear healthy on arrival and carry the receipt of the CDC Dog Import Form. If the dog has only been in dog rabies-free or low-risk countries in the previous 6 months, that form is the only document the CDC requires. As of this writing, Mexico is not listed as a high-risk country; confirm it with the CDC's tool before traveling, because the classification can change.

USDA-APHIS (screwworm). Because New World screwworm is present in Mexico, APHIS requires the dog to be inspected within 5 days before shipment and a certificate confirming it is free of the pest or was treated. In Mexico, that certificate may be issued by a clinical veterinarian trained and authorized to sign on behalf of the official government veterinarian.

Dogs for sale or adoption. If the dog is imported for commercial purposes (resale or adoption), additional APHIS requirements apply. Moving a pet is not the same as a commercial shipment.

What about horses?

Horses are the most demanding live cargo: more weight, more space, more tests and, almost always, quarantine.

To export horses from Mexico to the United States, APHIS requires, among other things:

  • A health certificate issued by a Mexican government veterinarian within 30 days, confirming 60 days of residence in Mexico and an inspection free of contagious diseases.
  • Negative tests for dourine, glanders, equine infectious anemia and equine piroplasmosis.
  • A screwworm protocol: a negative exam within 24 hours of shipment, ivermectin treatment 3 to 5 days before and treatment of any visible wounds.
  • A minimum 7-day quarantine at an APHIS-approved facility.

The status of land border crossings for horses, cattle and bison from Mexico has changed several times since November 2024 because of screwworm. APHIS asks importers to contact the port of entry at least 3 business days ahead. Before setting a date, check the current status with APHIS: it is the variable that moves a schedule the most.

For other destinations (Europe, Asia, South America), each country has its own testing protocol, pre-export isolation and arrival quarantine. Horses usually fly in equine stalls or containers, with a groom when the airline requires one.

What is IATA's LAR and what should the crate look like?

IATA's Live Animals Regulations (LAR) are the standard airlines apply to carry live animals. The 52nd edition is in force from January 1 to December 31, 2026, together with an addendum that lists each airline's variations.

For dogs and cats, IATA's container requirement says the animal must be able to turn around, stand and sit erect, and lie down in a natural position. The reference formula:

MeasurementCalculation
LengthAnimal's length (nose to base of tail) + ½ elbow height
WidthShoulder width × 2
HeightStanding height + bedding depth

For snub-nosed breeds, IATA calls for a container 10% larger. Also: rigid structure, enough ventilation, a secure door, water and food dishes refillable from outside, absorbent bedding and "live animal" and orientation labels.

Why won't some airlines take bulldogs or pugs?

Because brachycephalic dogs (English and French bulldogs, pugs, boxers, Boston terriers and others) struggle to regulate body temperature. IATA does not recommend shipping them in hot weather, and several airlines go further:

  • Some do not accept them in the hold (for example, Air France lists breeds it won't carry in the 2026 addendum).
  • Others accept them with a crate one size larger, ventilation on four sides, an indemnity letter or temperature limits at origin and destination.

Policies change by airline, route and season. Getting them in writing before buying the ticket or booking cargo space is mandatory, not optional.

How do you plan a safe route?

  • Direct flights whenever they exist. Every layover adds handling and time on the ramp.
  • Cool departure times in hot season: night or early-morning flights.
  • Airports with live animal facilities and staff trained to receive them.
  • Synchronized paperwork: a 5-day certificate is useless if the flight moves a week.
  • A plan B if the flight is cancelled: where the animal will be sheltered and who will care for it.

Which documents travel with the animal?

DocumentWhat to watch
Health or zoosanitary certificateIssued by an authorized vet, within the validity window the destination sets
Vaccination and test recordsDates, lab results and microchip number matching the certificate
Destination entry formsFor example, the CDC Dog Import Form receipt for the US
Air waybill and live animal checklistSpecies, number of animals, crate data and airline acceptance
Export or import customs entryWhen the shipment is commercial or the destination requires it

Checklist before flying

  1. Confirm destination requirements by species and purpose.
  2. Schedule vaccines, tests and microchip early, counting back from the flight date.
  3. Book with an airline that accepts the breed and species on that route and season.
  4. Prepare a LAR-compliant crate and get the animal used to it.
  5. Obtain certificates with the right validity.
  6. Coordinate arrival: inspection, quarantine if needed and delivery.

How we handle it at Kold Gold

  • Route planning with airlines that accept the species and breed in the travel season.
  • Document coordination with veterinarians, SENASICA and the destination authority.
  • Pickup and delivery at the airport, barn or home, with tracking along the way.
  • Air freight and clearance at origin and destination, coordinated with licensed customs brokers, including our partner licensed customs broker in Mexico; see our customs brokerage service.

We operate in the world's busiest international ports and at every customs office in Mexico. We speak your language: multilingual agents who coordinate with veterinarians, airlines and authorities at origin and destination.

Explore our live animal transport service, see our track record or get a quote with our freight quote tool. Message us on WhatsApp or call +52 55 8897 4255 (Mexico) or +1 (619) 359-6567 (United States). You can also email direccion@kold.gold.

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