Lead time needed
22-30 weeks
Quarantine
None
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from Brazil to the UK: 2026 Process

Relocating a pet from Brazil to United Kingdom follows a clear path once you understand what United Kingdom asks for. Set aside roughly 22-30 weeks for this route and keep a close eye on the sequencing. A rabies titre test is required, and it carries a fixed …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Brazil to United Kingdom typically takes around 22-30 weeks. A rabies titre test is required, which adds a fixed waiting period, so start early.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Brazil to United Kingdom 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
Immediately. Before any vaccination.
Implant ISO microchip (if not already done)

Responsible: Vet

2
After microchip. At least 30 days before blood draw.
Administer rabies vaccination

Responsible: MAPA-authorised vet

3
At least 30 days after rabies vaccination
Blood draw for FAVN titre test at APHA-approved laboratory

Responsible: Vet and APHA-approved laboratory

4
Three full calendar months from blood draw date with satisfactory result
Three-month wait from satisfactory titre test blood draw date

Responsible: Owner to track

5
Within 10 days of travel date
Obtain AHC from Official Veterinarian in Brazil

Responsible: OV vet in Brazil, endorsed by MAPA

6
24 to 120 hours before arrival in Great Britain
Administer tapeworm treatment (dogs only)

Responsible: Vet. Record on AHC.

7
On departure date
Travel to UK via LATAM or BA direct from Sao Paulo

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom

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

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory. Must be implanted before rabies …
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days must have passed since …
Rabies titre test
Required. Brazil is an unlisted country for UK pet travel. FAVN test at an …
Health certificate
Animal Health Certificate (AHC) from an Official Veterinarian (OV) in Brazil, …
Export permit
No separate export permit required for dogs and cats. MAPA-endorsed health …
Costs

What this route typically costs

Titre test at APHA-approved laboratory: BRL 600 to BRL 1,500 …
MAPA-endorsed health certificate: BRL 300 to BRL 800 (approximately …
AHC from Official Veterinarian: BRL 500 to BRL 1,200 (approximately …
Cargo airline fee Sao Paulo to Heathrow (direct or via hub): £700 to …
Pet transport agent fee: £400 to £1,000
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Total typical range: £1,500 to £4,800 all in

Critical points

The three-month wait after the titre test cannot be shortened. Plan for at least five months from start to travel date.

Finding an Official Veterinarian in Brazil who can issue the UK AHC in the correct format takes time. OVs familiar with UK documentation are concentrated in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A UK-based pet transport agent can recommend suitable OVs.

The new AHC template is mandatory for UK entry from October 2026. The OV in Brazil must use the correct current template.

Brazil's canine rabies situation varies by region. UK import authorities assess documentation based on the vaccination and titre test record, not the pet's address. Ensure all records are complete and clearly formatted.

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 Cargo
Direct Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to London Heathrow. Main routing for Brazil-UK pet cargo.
Cargo Only
British Airways / IAG Cargo
Direct Heathrow to GRU. BA Cargo can carry live animals. Confirm live animal acceptance on …
Cargo Only
Air France / KLM Cargo
Via Paris CDG or Amsterdam AMS hub. GRU to CDG or AMS, then to Heathrow. Alternative …
Cargo Only

United Kingdom import rules, explained

United Kingdom has a detailed set of import rules, and each one needs to be satisfied before travel. None of it is unusual, but the order and timing are what catch people out.

Practical tips for this move

Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.

Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.

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.

FAQ

Common questions

Five to seven months from start to arrival in the UK. The titre test and three-month wait account for most of that time. The minimum is roughly five months: vaccination, 30-day wait, blood draw, three calendar months waiting. Add in the AHC and tapeworm treatment logistics and you have the full timeline. Starting as early as possible gives you the most flexibility.
The blood sample can be drawn by your vet in Brazil. The sample then needs to be sent to an APHA-approved laboratory, most of which are in the UK or Europe. There is no APHA-approved laboratory in Brazil itself. Results typically arrive within two to three weeks of the blood draw. A UK-based pet transport agent can advise which APHA-approved laboratories currently accept samples from Brazil.
MAPA is Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply, which is the authority responsible for animal health certification for export. The health certificate must be issued by a MAPA-authorised official veterinarian and endorsed by MAPA for it to be valid as an official export document. This is similar to the USDA APHIS endorsement process in the US. Without the MAPA endorsement, the certificate is not recognised by UK authorities.
You need both. The MAPA-endorsed certificate is the Brazilian export document, confirming the animal has been cleared for export from Brazil. The UK AHC is the specific UK-format document that UK border authorities require for entry. The OV in Brazil will typically combine these requirements into a single certificate that fulfils both. Confirm this with your OV and agent.
The UK breed ban applies regardless of origin: XL Bully (banned from February 2024), Pit Bull Terrier, Japanese Tosa, Dogo Argentino, and Fila Brasileiro cannot enter the UK. The Fila Brasileiro is a Brazilian breed, so owners should be aware it is on the UK banned list. Most other Brazilian dog breeds are unaffected.
Airline guides
  • LATAM Airlines Cargo
  • British Airways / IAG Cargo
  • Air France / KLM Cargo
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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BR GBBrazil to United Kingdom
International pet transport route
Lead time22-30 weeks
QuarantineNone
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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