Taking meats and produce into Mexico?

It is kinda hit and miss if you get a red light or a green light at the border. The bottom line is don't take anything in the meat department that you won't mind losing.

Well yes, there are regulations on what you can take into Mexico. It is like anything else, you take your chances. I can say that I have never been checked going into or out of Mexico. I have friends that got checked coming back to the states. One lost an apple, one lost a few eggs, another lost a couple of steaks

IF you are entering at Lukeville, and you will be, and IF you have a visible pet, you will be stopped. Without a visible pet, you will not be stopped. With a visible pet, you will be required to produce a health certificate for the pet that includes rabies information. Then they will check your fridge. It's a tap dance. We spent about 15 minutes with the vet and her staff that were checking in October. They "waved" the health certificate for our cat, I had them for the dogs. This year I made sure that all the meat in the freezer was cooked, or appeared so. Lots of back and forth, we didn't get aggressive, but made it clear that we knew the rules. They didn't take anything, and gave us a brochure that states that, "It's not the law, it's for the good of Mexico." So, end result is, they want to change the laws, but haven't. Be nice. BTY, the forms for health certificates are available on line, and can be filled out there.

We choose to cross there because it's closer, good roads, and if you are nice, it all works.

"Here Sausage, come boy"?

Actually, you don't need a health certificate for dogs, only proof of rabies vaccination. We have been asked for it two of the last three times we have entered through Lukeville.

We have been going through Lukeville for 9 years now and not once has anyone been ask for health cert or rabies cert for the animals. None of the refers have been searched either.We usually go with a group of 4-10 coaches and half have animals. The only animal I would not take down is a bird. Might get in but the US will not let it back in unless it goes through quarantine.

Just be sure you don't speed going through Sonoyta as there are speed traps and they do go a ways south so just don't speed anywhere.

Lukeville is the only crossing that will give you a hard time. If you look in the archives I think it was Tequila who posted a link to the actual law about pets. It is ridiculous. A country with a million wild rabid dogs is worried about your pets!

Moisheh

MEXICOWANDERER wrote:
"Here Sausage, come boy"?

:B

I don't think they allow entry for this either!

Lukeville, if the aduanero needs meat for the carne asada, kiss your steaks good bye, if not the aduaneros at Sonoyta need beer money, as in MORDIDA.

As for the other check points it depends on who is looking for what and for whom, under no circumstances take any weapons, ammunition, or even spent cartridges you will be arrested.

If you have nothing to hide, you have notthing to fear be courteous and just be a dumb gringo on vacation.

navegator