What is a Pet Passport?
We refer to a pet passport as a collection of documents that fulfill Brazil pet import requirements for dogs or cats entering this country. This term is not to be confused with an official EU Pet Passport issued in the European Union for EU-resident pets. Your pet’s passport to enter Brazil will include proof of current rabies vaccination, and an export health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian in the origination country.
Animals Eligible for These Pet Import Requirements
These rules apply to the transport of domestic dogs and cats including assistance and service animals. Unless 5th generation removed from the pedigree, wolf hybrids, Savannah and Bengal cats cannot be imported under these regulations. Owners of other types of pets (amphibia, reptiles, birds, rabbits, rodents) covered by these regulations should refer to IMPORTING OTHER PET ANIMALS TO BRAZIL below.
Find a Licensed Veterinarian
Before beginning any pet export procedure, make sure your veterinarian is approved by the governing veterinarian authority in your pet’s country of origin. Your veterinarian should work for or is licensed by the agency of the government that is responsible for the movement of live animals.
Quarantine for Pets Entering Brazil
There will be no quarantine imposed on your pet when entering Brazil if pet import regulations detailed here are met. If your pet does not conform to the regulations as stated below, it will be subject to quarantine if facilities are available, returned to the origination country, or euthanized. The importer will be responsible for all costs involved.
Brazil Pet Import Requirements
All steps required to conform to Brazil pet import requirements must be completed in the origination country. Complete steps 1-6 in the order given.
Step 1: Pet Microchip
Having your pet identified with a microchip is important when traveling internationally for several reasons. First, a microchip will tie your pet to its documentation when entering a foreign country. Second, if, for any reason, your pet is separated from you during travel, the chances of reuniting with your pet significantly increase if you register your information in a microchip database. Third, if your pet will be returning to its origination country, a microchip may be required.
Relates: Countries that require a microchip
Although not required, it is strongly recommended that your pet be identified with a microchip in accordance with the procedures in the country of origin. The most accepted form of identification is a 15-digit pet microchip that meets ISO (International Standards Organization) Standard 11784 or Annex A to ISO Standard 11785.
If microchipped, all documents should reflect the microchip number. You can provide a microchip scanner that will read your pet’s microchip.
Your veterinarian, a veterinary hospital, or a trained nurse should implant the microchip. You should receive documentation on how to register it in the manufacturer’s or your government’s database.
Step 2: Vaccinations
All cats and dogs over three months of age must be vaccinated for rabies with an inactivated vaccine and wait at least 21 days after the primary vaccination before entering Brazil. Multi-year rabies vaccines are accepted but not recommended.
When entering Brazil directly from a country that the World Organization of Animal Health classifies as rabies-free, your dog or cat does not require the rabies immunization, although rabies vaccination is recommended as Brazil is not a rabies-free country.
The administering veterinarian should issue, sign, and stamp:
- a rabies certificate or
- government-issued vaccination booklet or
- EU Pet Passport
Note: Rabies titer test results or veterinary exemption letters are no substitute for proof of rabies vaccination.
Other Vaccinations
Dogs should be vaccinated against distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, adenovirus, parainfluenza, and leptospirosis, depending on the disease status of your country. Cats should be vaccinated against feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia, and feline leukemia.
All vaccinations should be recorded on the international health certificate (step 5) at intervals required by the origination country.
Step 3: Rabies Titer (Serology) Test
A rabies titer test measures the level of rabies antibodies in your pet’s blood. It must be administered more than 30 days after the rabies vaccination. Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization (FAVN) tests are recommended, as they are accepted by every country that requires this test.
A rabies titer test is not required for dogs and cats entering Brazil from any country; however, having acceptable titer test results in your pet’s passport is very helpful when clearing customs in any country. Samples should be processed at approved laboratories. You can speak with your veterinarian about administering this test.
Step 4: Parasite Treatments
Parasite treatments for internal and external parasites are required shortly prior to entering Brazil. Products should be approved in the country of origin. The administering veterinarian can record these treatments on the health certificate or issue a record of treatment. Pets should always be inspected for external parasites, such as fleas and ticks, prior to any international travel. Owners should travel with additional treatments due to availability of products in this country.
Step 5: Health Certificate
All countries worldwide require an original health certificate issued in the country of origin, including the following information:
- owner’s information
- origination and destination details and
- details of your pet and
- vaccinations and treatments,
- veterinary attestations regarding symptoms of contagious diseases at the time of export.
Further, your veterinarian must certify that your pet is healthy enough to travel and is not from a region that is subject to rabies restrictions. The health certificate must clearly identify your pet. Depending on the country of origin, additional details and treatments must be listed.
A licensed veterinarian in your country must complete the veterinary health certificate for Brazil shortly prior to travel.
After issuance, the governing authority responsible for the import and export of live animals in the origination country should endorse the forms. Endorsement may be required as a result of the export requirements of your origination country.
Step 6: Import Permit
An import permit is not required for pets entering Brazil with their owners. Commercial imports will require an import permit.
Other Information
Importing Puppies and Kittens to Brazil
Puppies and kittens that are not yet 3 months old should not be vaccinated for rabies; they may enter Brazil unvaccinated as long as they do not originate in an area that is high-rabies or has had a rabies incident in the previous 90 days.
Breeds Banned by Brazil
Brazil does not publish a list of banned breeds. Importers are responsible for their pet’s behavior.
Entering Brazil by Air
There are multiple international airports in Brazil where pets can enter the country, including Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, and Puerto Allegre. Pets can enter Brazil in the cabin as checked baggage or as air cargo, according to airline pet policies. The owner should be present at customs clearance.
In all cases, pets must travel in a pet carrier or pet crate that is in accordance with the International Air Transport Association.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA compliant?
Importers should inform veterinary officials in advance, as they will need to be available to check your pet and its pet passport documentation after landing.
All domestic dogs and cats must be free of evidence of disease communicable to humans when examined at the entry airport. If your dog or cat is not in apparent good health, further examination by a licensed veterinarian may be required at your expense.
Importing Other Animals to Brazil
To bring other species of pet animals other than dogs or cats to Brazil (turtle, rabbit, iguana, parrot, fish, guinea pig, ferret, etc.), it is necessary to obtain a MAPA Import Authorization and meet the health requirements Vary according to the country of origin. To inquire about these requirements, The owner of the animal should seek the Federal Superintendence of Agriculture located in the 27 states of the country.
Returning to Brazil
Pet owners issued a health certificate to leave Brazil for one of these countries can return their pet to Brazil within 60 days without a new health certificate if the pet’s rabies vaccination is still valid.
South Africa, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Russia, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States or any member of the European Union.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) prohibits the trade of some species of animals, including pets. This is important if you have a pet that isn’t a dog or cat, and it’s crucial if it’s a turtle or a parrot. If so, you will have to submit additional permit applications.
Over 180 nations participate in and enforce CITES rules and protections.
Related: Search the CITES database or Search the Species+ database
Related: Read more about CITES
Have Questions About Importing Your Pet to Brazil?
Have a comment about importing a pet to Brazil? Post it below and we will respond. You can also reach out by posting to our Blog, X (Twitter), Facebook, or Email or follow our activities on Instagram and TikTok.
Please note that the accuracy of comments made by Facebook users other than Pet Travel has not been verified, and we do not endorse any person or company that may offer transport services through posts to this webpage.
Current Information
To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given country may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to:
- make arrangements to put your pet into quarantine at your expense or
- return your pet to the country of origin, or
- euthanize your pet.
We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Brazil pet import requirements.
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