Brazil Pet Import Guide: MAPA Requirements, Health Certificates, and Quarantine Rules

Brazil is South America’s largest country and one of the most popular expat destinations on the continent. The pet import process is managed by MAPA (Ministerio da Agricultura, Pecuaria e Abastecimento) and is generally straightforward – provided the paperwork is correct.

What Brazil requires for dogs and cats

  • ISO microchip (strongly recommended; Brazil aligns with ISO 11784/11785)
  • Up-to-date vaccinations including: distemper, hepatitis, leptospirosis, parvovirus, parainfluenza (dogs); feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia (cats)
  • Rabies vaccination: given at least 30 days before travel, no more than 12 months before
  • Official MAPA-format health certificate, endorsed by the government authority of the origin country
  • Treatment for external parasites (ticks, fleas) within 10 days before travel

Brazil does not require a rabies titre test for pets from most origin countries. The vaccination record is sufficient.

The MAPA health certificate

The health certificate must follow the MAPA model format for the specific origin country. Brazil has published specific certificate templates for the UK, USA, EU countries, and others. Using the wrong format is a common mistake.

In the UK: the certificate must be issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV) and endorsed by APHA (Animal and Plant Health Agency). In the USA: it must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the USDA APHIS.

The certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel.

Arriving in Brazil

Brazil’s main international airports (Guarulhos in Sao Paulo, Galeao in Rio de Janeiro, Brasilia, and others) all have agricultural inspection areas. Your pet will be inspected on arrival. If everything is in order, the process is quick.

Common reasons for delays or temporary detention:

  • Missing government endorsement on the health certificate
  • Rabies vaccination outside the 30-day to 12-month window
  • Microchip details not matching the certificate
  • Incomplete parasite treatment record

Allow extra time in the arrivals process and keep all original documents with you in your hand luggage.

Travelling to Brazil with a cat

Cats need the same documentation as dogs, minus the canine-specific vaccines. The feline vaccines listed above (rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) are the standard requirement. Check the current MAPA template for your origin country.

Source

MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, Brazil): gov.br/agricultura (verified May 2026).

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Dogs and cats must have a valid rabies vaccination. Brazil requires the vaccination was given at least 30 days before travel but no more than 12 months before. Annual boosters must be kept current.

Brazil requires an official government-endorsed health certificate from the origin country, following the MAPA model format. The certificate must be issued by an accredited veterinarian and endorsed by the relevant government authority (e.g. APHA in the UK, USDA in the USA).

There is no standard quarantine for dogs and cats entering Brazil from most countries, provided all documentation is correct. Pets may be inspected at the port of entry. If documentation is incomplete, pets may be held at the airport at the owner’s cost.

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