Pet Transport Greece to Mexico: YPEN Health Certificate and SENASICA Arrival
4-8 weeks
Typical preparation
None
No quarantine required
Low
Route complexity
✓ Managed
Full door-to-door service
Regulations verified
Regulations sourced from DEFRA, USDA APHIS, DAFF and other official authorities.
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Overview
Mexico is one of the more straightforward pet import destinations for a move from Greece. No titre test, no quarantine, just a current rabies vaccination, a parasite treatment record, and a health certificate endorsed by the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food within 15 days of arrival. SENASICA handles the arrival inspection. Budget four to eight weeks and confirm the health certificate timing carefully.
Step by step
The Greece to Mexico process
1
Before rabies vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip (strongly recommended)
Responsible: Vet
2
Current and valid. At least 30 days before arrival in Mexico.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Vet
3
Within 6 months before arrival. Document in health certificate.
Parasite treatment
Responsible: Vet
4
At least 3 weeks before travel.
Book cargo flights
Responsible: Owner or agent
5
No more than 15 days before arrival in Mexico.
Health certificate issued and YPEN endorsement
Responsible: Official vet, YPEN
6
On arrival.
SENASICA OISA inspection at Mexican entry airport
Responsible: SENASICA
Checklist
Mexico: entry requirements
Requirement
Detail
Microchip
Recommended. Not legally mandatory for Mexico, but required by most international cargo carriers and strongly advised for identification.
Rabies vaccination
Required. Current and valid. At least 30 days before arrival.
Rabies titre test
Not required. Mexico does not require a FAVN titre test for pets from Greece.
Quarantine
None. No mandatory quarantine for vaccinated dogs and cats from Greece.
Import permit
SENASICA zoosanitary permit required. SENASICA inspection at the OISA desk at the Mexican entry airport.
Health certificate
Health certificate issued by official vet and endorsed by Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food. Issued no more than 15 days before arrival in Mexico.
Leaving Greece
Export requirements
Requirement
Detail
Export permit
No formal export permit for personal pet dogs and cats from Greece. The YPEN-endorsed health certificate is the export document.
Health certificate
EU-format health certificate issued by an official veterinarian and endorsed by the Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food (YPEN).
Costs
What this route typically costs
1
Vaccinations, parasite treatment and vet consultation: EUR 80 to EUR 200
2
Health certificate and YPEN endorsement: EUR 50 to EUR 150
3
IATA-compliant travel crate: EUR 100 to EUR 500
4
Cargo airline fees (ATH to MEX): EUR 900 to EUR 2,800
5
Pet transport agent fee: EUR 350 to EUR 1,100
Critical points
Read before you book
⚠ Mexico uses a 15-day health certificate validity window (from issue date to arrival). This is shorter than some other destinations. Time the certificate carefully.
⚠ SENASICA inspection is at the OISA desk on arrival. Present the endorsed health certificate, vaccination record, and microchip documentation as a set.
⚠ Mexico does not require quarantine or a titre test, making it one of the simpler destinations from Greece.
⚠ Madrid is the natural hub for Greece-to-Mexico cargo via the Iberian connection. Aeromexico operates MEX-MAD in both directions.
Carriers
Airlines on this route
Aeromexico Cargo
Athens (ATH) to Mexico City (MEX) via Madrid (MAD) or another connecting hub. Aeromexico Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Iberia Cargo
ATH via Madrid (MAD) to MEX. Iberia accepts pets on cargo routes.
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
ATH via Frankfurt (FRA) to MEX. Lufthansa Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
KLM Cargo
ATH via Amsterdam (AMS) to MEX. KLM Cargo accepts pets.
Cargo Only
Mexico's 15-day health certificate window
Mexico requires the health certificate to be issued no more than 15 days before arrival. This is shorter than some other destinations and affects how you plan the export documentation step.
If your cargo flight arrives in Mexico City on day 15, the certificate must have been issued on or after day 1. Co-ordinate the YPEN endorsement date with your booked flight carefully. If the flight is delayed and pushes arrival beyond the 15-day window, the certificate may need to be reissued.
SENASICA on arrival: what the inspection covers
At Mexico City (MEX), Guadalajara (GDL), or other international airports, the SENASICA Agricultural Health Inspection Office (OISA) inspects incoming pets. The SENASICA officer checks the endorsed health certificate, confirms the rabies vaccination, reviews the parasite treatment record, and inspects the pet for visible health issues.
Mexico’s inspection is generally quick for compliant arrivals. The OISA desk is in the arrivals area, separate from regular customs. For cargo arrivals, your cargo agent coordinates the SENASICA inspection at the cargo terminal.
FAQ
Common questions
Mexico does not legally mandate a microchip for imported pets, but all international cargo carriers require microchipped pets, and it is essential for identification throughout the journey. Greek dogs are legally required to be microchipped under EU law. If your pet is not microchipped, do so before travel and include the chip number in the health certificate.
No. Mexico does not impose quarantine on vaccinated dogs and cats from Greece. Provided the rabies vaccination is current (with at least 30 days from vaccination to arrival), the parasite treatment is documented, and the SENASICA-accepted health certificate is presented on arrival, no quarantine applies.
There is no direct Athens to Mexico City flight. Madrid is the most natural hub: Iberia or Aeromexico fly MAD-MEX, and connecting cargo from ATH to MAD is straightforward with Iberia or Lufthansa. Alternatively, Amsterdam via KLM or Frankfurt via Lufthansa connect to MEX. Confirm with your cargo agent which hub offers the best space and transit time for your pet’s crate size.
Mexico accepts health certificates in the standard international veterinary format, endorsed by the competent national authority. The YPEN-endorsed EU format health certificate from Greece is accepted by SENASICA. Ensure all required fields are complete: microchip number, species, breed, age, vaccination dates, parasite treatment, and owner details.