Mexico/Belize Border Crossing with a Dog

Our crossing took about 3 hours because BAHA had sent Neli’s Import Permit to the wrong border. So we waited and waited until they figured it out. Without that hiccup we estimate the whole thing would have taken half an hour or less. Everyone we dealt with, both in Mexico and Belize, were friendly, helpful and spoke English.

Documents needed

  • We needed:
    • Passports
    • Truck Title.
  • Neli needed:
    • International Health Certificate from the US
    • Health Certificate from Mexico
      • We took Neli to Universum K-9 in Chetumal. No appointment needed. 200 pesos and they trimmed her nails for free.
    • Valid Rabies Vaccination Certificate (not more than a year old, not less than 30 days)
    • Vaccination Record
    • Belize Import Permit
      • Email baha@btl.net at least a week before you want to cross. They will send you (a few days later) an Import Permit Application. Fill out the Application and return it to them via email. They will not email you back when the Import Permit is ready but it takes at least three days, possibly a week, and should be waiting for you at the border.

Exit Mexico

  • Mexico Immigration: Tiny building with gate. They will ask for your passports, tourist visas and receipt for your tourist visa. We had a copy of our receipts from Banjercito so no issues. Make sure to get your exit stamp.
  • Banjercito: Drive through the gate and into oncoming traffic into large white building parking lot. Go inside and ask to cancel your TIP. They will come outside take a picture of the car’s VIN, ask for your TIP sticker, and then process everything in the computer. Should take a few business days to see the refund on your credit card unless you paid cash, in which case they will give you cash on the spot.

Enter Belize

  • Fumigation: Drive into “no-man’s land,” look for tiny white shack on the right. There was a sign that said something about Importing Cargo, that’s where you want to go. 5USD/10BZD. Make sure you get a receipt.
  • Belize Immigration: Park in parking lot next to big white building. The first desk you come to is Immigration. Grumpy man will ask you why you are in Belize and then stamp your passports. We heard there is a 30 day maximum visa. No Charge.
  • BAHA: Take your dog into the BAHA office, the officer will probably come to you when he sees you with a dog anyway, but it is right before the Customs Desk on the left. They will ask for all your documents and where the Import Permit is. We knew our Import Permit wasn’t going to be ready but didn’t want to hang out for another week in Chetumal so we acted like we were expecting it to be there. The BAHA Officer was so helpful but we ended up waiting almost 2 and a half hours for the Permit as BAHA was faxing it to the wrong border. Awesome. Once you have the Permit, they will inspect your dog for cuts and bugs and then exchange the Import Permit for a Landing Permit. Fax from BAHA 5BZD, Pet Permit 50BZD, Inspection of Dog 10BZD
  • Belize Customs: Second desk right after Immigration. Customs agent will stamp your truck into the driver’s passport. He asked us if we had any chicken. No charge.
  • Inspection Gate: Official poked her head into the back of our truck, asked what was in some boxes and looked at our portable toilet. She climbed into the camper and immediately looked under the benches where we had hidden our fruit, veggies and parmesan cheese. She didn’t care. No charge.
  • Insurance: At the T in the road as you drive away from Inspection, there is a large white Belize Insurance building. They asked only for the title. 2 weeks of insurance for 23 USD

Total Cost: 76.50 USD

  • Mexican Health Certificate: 200 MXN/16 USD
  • Fumigation: 10 BZD/5 USD
  • Neli Import: 65 BZD/ 32.50 USD
  • Insurance: 46 BZD/23 USD

4 thoughts on “Mexico/Belize Border Crossing with a Dog

    1. Neli Post author

      Happy to help! There’s a good vet in Tulum too apparently, check the Paws On Tour site, they have great info. I’d email BAHA at least a week before you want to cross. YOu can return the application before the vet visit. I can also forward you the application if you want. And be advised Ms. melody only seems to be in the office every there days or so so don’t panic if you don’t hear back from her! When are you guys thinking you’ll cross?

      Reply
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