A dog or cat moving from the United States to Mexico typically runs $800 to $2,400, which makes it one of the cheapest international moves available from the US.
There is no import permit and no quarantine. Freight is a fraction of what a transatlantic route costs, and the paperwork is the lightest of any destination we handle.
Airlines price live animals on chargeable weight: whichever is greater, the actual weight or a volume figure worked out from the crate. For pets the volume figure almost always wins, which is why crate size drives the flight cost more than the animal does.
The divisor is published by Air Canada Cargo at 166 cubic inches per pound. The rates come from the American Airlines Cargo public tariff, the tariff these estimates are calculated against. Current version checked July 2026.
| Crate size | Approx. dimensions | Chargeable weight | Freight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small (cat or toy dog) (size 100) | 21 x 16 x 15 in | 14 kg | $420 |
| Medium (size 200) | 28 x 20.5 x 21.5 in | 34 kg | $427 |
| Large (size 400) | 36 x 25 x 27 in | 66 kg | $653 |
| Giant (size 700) | 48 x 32 x 35 in | 147 kg | $948 |
These are our own calculation from the published rate and divisor, for a direct booking. A connecting routing or a carrier that quotes rather than publishes will differ.
| Cost | Amount | Who charges it |
|---|---|---|
| USDA export endorsement | $101 per certificate | USDA APHIS |
| IATA crate | $65 to $378 depending on size | Retailer |
| Health certificate and vaccinations | Set by your clinic | Your vet |
| Airline live animal processing | $150 per air waybill | Airline |
| Import permit | None | Not applicable |
| Quarantine | None | Not applicable |
No titer test is required, so the endorsement stays in the $101 band. As everywhere, it is charged per certificate rather than per pet.
Because the freight component is so much lower here, the crate and the vet make up a much larger share of the total than they would on a long haul route. Buying the right crate size matters proportionally more.
Your vet sets their own fees. The examination, the certificate paperwork and any blood draw are priced by your clinic and vary between practices. Ask your vet directly. Every laboratory we checked states plainly that the draw is the clinic’s charge, not theirs.
Ground transport at either end is quoted per route. Our coordination fee is included in the total we quote you and itemised on your invoice.
Ground transport is a genuine alternative on this route in a way it is not for most destinations, particularly for northern Mexico. For some moves it is both cheaper and easier on the animal than flying.
Heat is the main seasonal constraint, and it applies at both ends.
Crate size drives the freight, though the effect is smaller here because the per kilo rates are lower.
Figures verified July 2026. Government fees change, so each links to the authority that publishes it. If you are reading this long after that date, check the source first.
Terms used here are defined in our pet relocation glossary.
Send us the route, the breed and roughly when you want to travel. Request a quote and we will reply with an itemised plan, a timeline and clear next steps, usually within two business hours.
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