Last updated August 20, 2026 · Independent guide — not affiliated with USDA or SENASICA
LAX runs daily nonstops to Mexico City, Cancún, Guadalajara, Puerto Vallarta and Los Cabos, making Los Angeles one of the highest-volume departure cities for pets bound for Mexico. Many LA-area travelers also drive south via San Diego, roughly 2.5 hours to the Tijuana border crossings.
The requirement: since August 3, 2026, dogs entering Mexico from the US must carry an NWS Inspection Certificate signed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian within 5 days of arrival in Mexico. No APHIS endorsement is needed — the signed form is presented at the Mexican border or airport. Full guide here.
Vets offering screwworm certificates in Los Angeles
We're verifying Los Angeles clinics now.
This requirement is weeks old and clinic participation is changing daily. Used a Los Angeles vet for your NWS certificate? Tell us and we'll list them for the next traveler.
Can't find an accredited vet in Los Angeles?
- Call clinics that advertise international health certificates — they're the most likely to have a USDA-accredited vet on staff.
- Ask the exact question: “Can a USDA-accredited veterinarian at your clinic complete the NWS Inspection Certificate for Pet Dogs going to Mexico?”
- Contact the California USDA APHIS Veterinary Services office for a referral, per the official APHIS guidance.
- Download the form ahead of your appointment from the APHIS Mexico pet travel page — many clinics haven't seen it yet.
How to find a USDA-accredited vet →
Are you a Los Angeles veterinarian issuing NWS certificates? Get listed — free while the directory grows.