Lead time needed
20-24 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Home/Routes/Brazil to Switzerland
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Pet Transport Brazil to Switzerland: 2026 Guide

Getting a pet from Brazil to Switzerland is a step by step process, and each stage has its own timing. Allow about 20-24 weeks; the requirements are detailed but predictable once mapped out. Compliant pets are not held in quarantine on arrival. Start with the …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Brazil to Switzerland typically takes around 20-24 weeks. There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Brazil to Switzerland import process

Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.

1
At start of process
Microchip implanted (ISO 11784/11785)

Responsible: Accredited Brazilian vet

2
After microchip confirmed
Rabies vaccination

Responsible: Accredited Brazilian vet

3
At least 30 days after vaccination
FAVN titre test blood draw

Responsible: Accredited Brazilian vet, recognised laboratory

4
Begins on the date blood was drawn
90-day wait from blood draw date

Responsible: Owner to track

5
Within 10 days of travel
MAPA health certificate issued and endorsed

Responsible: MAPA-authorised vet

6
4-6 weeks before travel
Cargo booking to ZRH or GVA

Responsible: Pet transport agent or owner

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Switzerland

Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip, implanted before rabies vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Valid rabies vaccination, given after microchip
Rabies titre test
FAVN titre test required (0.5 IU/ml minimum), blood drawn at least 30 days after …
Quarantine
No quarantine if all documents are correct and 90-day wait from blood draw is …
Import permit
Not required for non-commercial pet imports
Health certificate
Swiss-format health certificate based on EU Annex IV template for non-listed …
Export permit
Issued alongside health certificate by MAPA-registered vet
Costs

What this route typically costs

FAVN titre test at recognised lab in Brazil: USD 80-150
MAPA health certificate and endorsement: USD 100-250
Cargo GRU to ZRH or GVA (typically via European hub): USD 1,300-3,200
Swiss customs declaration and live animal entry fees: CHF 50-200
IATA-approved travel crate: USD 100-400

Critical points

Switzerland is not in the EU but applies equivalent pet import rules for third countries. The titre test and 90-day wait are both mandatory.

The 90-day wait runs from the blood draw date. Count carefully.

Cantonal breed restrictions in Switzerland vary significantly. Confirm your dog's breed is permitted in your specific canton before booking.

Brazil is not on Switzerland's approved third-country list, so there is no simplified route.

Airlines

Approved carriers for this route

Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.

LATAM Airlines
GRU to European hubs with connecting cargo to Zurich (ZRH) or Geneva (GVA)
Cargo Only
Swiss WorldCargo
ZRH-based cargo operation with connections from major European hubs; experienced handling …
Cargo Only
Lufthansa Cargo
GRU to FRA with connecting cargo to ZRH or GVA; Lufthansa Cargo handles live animals …
Cargo Only

How Switzerland handles incoming pets

Switzerland asks for several pieces of paperwork, and they all need to line up. A checklist and a clear timeline are your best tools here.

What experienced owners do

Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.

Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.

Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.

Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.

FAQ

Common questions

The requirements are very similar but not identical. Switzerland applies its own legislation that closely mirrors EU rules for third-country non-listed countries. The titre test requirement, 90-day wait, and microchip rules are equivalent. The health certificate template follows the EU Annex IV format. However, Swiss authorities enforce their own regulations, so your documentation must reference Swiss requirements, not just EU rules.
Switzerland accepts titre tests from EU-recognised OIE reference laboratories. Several labs in Brazil are on the EU-approved list, including laboratories at major federal universities. Your vet or transport agent can confirm which labs are currently on the approved list before drawing blood.
No, there is no quarantine for pets arriving from Brazil if all documentation is in order: microchip, valid rabies vaccination, FAVN titre test at or above 0.5 IU/ml, 90-day wait completed from blood draw date, and valid MAPA-endorsed health certificate. Swiss customs conduct an inspection but release the animal the same day if everything checks out.
Some Swiss cantons (including Bern, Basel-Stadt, Geneva, and others) have restrictions on specific breeds, typically certain bully-type and mastiff-type dogs. Restrictions range from mandatory muzzle and lead requirements to outright import bans. If your dog is an affected breed, you may need a permit from the cantonal veterinary office, or the import may not be permitted. Contact the cantonal veterinary authority early.
Yes, multiple pets can travel together in the same cargo booking. Each animal must have its own individual documentation: microchip records, vaccination certificate, titre test, and health certificate. The shipping cost will reflect the combined weight and number of crates.
Airline guides
  • LATAM Airlines
  • Swiss WorldCargo
  • Lufthansa Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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BR CHBrazil to Switzerland
International pet transport route
Lead time20-24 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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