Moving to another country, how do I bring my chameleon?

[Sokles]

I will soon be moving from the United States to Mexico, I want to bring my pet chameleon with me, but I dont know how to do that. He is a panther chameleon thats about 18 months old and I wanted to know what I needed to cross the border with him.

Some of my questions include:
Do I need a good health certificate from the reptile doctor?
Will I need any proof of purchase?
Is it going to cost anything?
Do you recommend bringing his food with him or buying it there?
Is there anything else I need?

As for travel, I´m planning to either put him in a cardboard box or in one of those pop up laundry hampers. Which one do you recommend?

 

[Rastabolino]

If you want real answers, ask the Mexican embassy nearest you.

Otherwise, depends on if you're driving or flying...If you are driving in I don't think anyone would even stop you or ask ( I've driven over the border lots of times). Flying I don't think you can sneak a chameleon in without them knowing so you're back to ask the embassy.. sorry I don't have better info.

 

[Carlton]

I will soon be moving from the United States to Mexico, I want to bring my pet chameleon with me, but I dont know how to do that. He is a panther chameleon thats about 18 months old and I wanted to know what I needed to cross the border with him.

Some of my questions include:
Do I need a good health certificate from the reptile doctor?
Will I need any proof of purchase?
Is it going to cost anything?
Do you recommend bringing his food with him or buying it there?
Is there anything else I need?

As for travel, I´m planning to either put him in a cardboard box or in one of those pop up laundry hampers. Which one do you recommend?

As chameleons are species subject to CITES I'm pretty sure you would need a permit to import your cham to Mexico. This can take months to get and there are fees. I don't have the specifics as I've never done it. There is a website that describes the CITES program and how to get permits. Here's the link:

http://www.fws.gov/permits/ImportExport/ImportExport.html

 

[Sanababit]

I bought and took across the border a panther chameleon about 3 weeks ago, albeit it is a small chameleon, in the other hand yours is quite big and you will have to go and auto declare your pet, they are not banned in mexico because a local pet shop has some for sale (veilds), anyways, if you drive accross just go to mexican customs and declare your pet, they might charge you a fee and you will be on your merry way, good luck

Sana

 

[Carlton]

I bought and took across the border a panther chameleon about 3 weeks ago, albeit it is a small chameleon, in the other hand yours is quite big and you will have to go and auto declare your pet, they are not banned in mexico because a local pet shop has some for sale (veilds), anyways, if you drive accross just go to mexican customs and declare your pet, they might charge you a fee and you will be on your merry way, good luck

Sana

Size has nothing to do with needing a permit or not. Having them for sale in a Mexican shop also has nothing to do with needing a permit. The problem is, chameleons as a group are subject to the import/export terms of CITES and technically require permits to be taken across international borders.

If you just happen to get an better educated customs person at the border who asks for your permit and you don't have one, you could be refused. Then what? If you try to sneak it across and you're caught you could LOSE YOUR CHAM and it will either be destroyed or end up in a poor situation. The risk will be up to you.

 

[Sanababit]

Size has nothing to do with needing a permit or not. Having them for sale in a Mexican shop also has nothing to do with needing a permit. The problem is, chameleons as a group are subject to the import/export terms of CITES and technically require permits to be taken across international borders.

If you just happen to get an better educated customs person at the border who asks for your permit and you don't have one, you could be refused. Then what? If you try to sneak it across and you're caught you could LOSE YOUR CHAM and it will either be destroyed or end up in a poor situation. The risk will be up to you.

Hello, first i am a mexican citizen who happens to live in tijuana just accross the border from san diego california, i have taken many animals accross from saltwater fish to corals to a chameleon, IF you cross the border by car or by foot you have a chance to declare whatever you are taking from the US to Mexico, you will voluntarily pull up to secondary inspection and you declare your pet, they will ask you if you are selling it or what not, you just tell them that is your pet and its for your enjoyment, if the animal has a cost above 150 dlls you might pay a fee to take it accross which might be 17% of the value of your pet, soooooo, dont get scared, just be nice and polite, and everything will work out to your advantage, good luck

BTW, if you do what i say and you get refused by mexican customs for whatever reason, they can not take it away from you because you voluntarily where declaring your pet, but if you smuggle it, then thats another story

Sana