Lead time needed
6-14 weeks
Quarantine
28 days
Route complexity
High
Airlines
3 carriers on this route
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Pet Transport from Brazil to the USA: 2026 Guide

Moving a dog or cat from Brazil to United States is very doable with the right preparation. Expect around 6-14 weeks of lead time to line up the documents and the fixed waiting periods. Factor in 28 days of quarantine at the destination. The full checklist, …

In short: Preparing to move a pet from Brazil to United States typically takes around 6-14 weeks. Expect 28 days of quarantine on arrival.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step

The Brazil to United States 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
Before any other preparation. This determines the full process.
Determine CDC pathway for your dog (US-vaccinated vs Brazil-vaccinated)

Responsible: Owner, ideally with a specialist pet transport agent

2
At least 6 weeks before travel
Confirm microchip and vaccination records

Responsible: Vet

3
Well in advance. Facility spaces are limited.
Register with CDC and reserve place at CDC-registered facility (if required)

Responsible: Owner or specialist pet transport agent

4
Within certificate validity window, close to travel date
Obtain MAPA-endorsed health certificate

Responsible: MAPA-authorised official vet

5
Once documentation pathway is confirmed
Book cargo on LATAM or American Airlines to CDC-approved US airport

Responsible: Owner or agent

6
On departure date
Arrive at CDC-approved US airport with documentation and facility reservation

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter United States

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

Microchip
Microchip required. Must be readable by a universal ISO-compatible scanner.
Rabies vaccination
Brazil is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs vaccinated in Brazil must follow the CDC …
Quarantine
Dogs not following the CDC high-risk pathway correctly may face 28-day …
Health certificate
No USDA-endorsed health certificate required for US entry itself. MAPA-endorsed …
Export permit
No separate export permit required for dogs and cats from Brazil.
Costs

What this route typically costs

MAPA-endorsed health certificate: BRL 300 to BRL 800 (approximately …
CDC facility stay (if required): USD 1,000 to USD 3,500
Cargo airline fee GRU to US gateway (direct): USD 800 to USD 2,500 …
Pet transport agent fee: USD 400 to USD 1,200
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 100 to USD 500
Total typical range: USD 2,000 to USD 7,000 all in

Critical points

Brazil is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs vaccinated in Brazil must follow the CDC foreign-vaccination pathway. Arriving at a non-CDC-approved airport or without a facility reservation puts your dog at risk of being turned back or quarantined for 28 days.

Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved airport. Miami, JFK, LAX, Chicago O'Hare, and Atlanta are typically on the approved list. Verify the current CDC list before booking.

Cats from Brazil have no CDC requirements. A cat enters the US from Brazil with only standard customs health inspection.

LATAM has a direct Sao Paulo to Miami route that is well-used for Brazil-USA pet cargo. Miami is also a CDC-approved airport and is a practical entry point.

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 Miami, New York JFK, and other US gateways. Primary …
Cargo Only
American Airlines Cargo
Direct GRU to Miami and Dallas. American Airlines Cargo for live animals. Breed and …
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Services from GRU via US hubs. United PetSafe cargo. Size and breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only

What United States requires

Bringing a pet into United States involves a fair amount of documentation. Keep everything organised and check each item against the current requirements before you book.

Avoiding the common mistakes

If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.

Get your pet used to the travel crate weeks in advance. A calm, crate-familiar animal travels far better than one meeting the crate for the first time at the airport.

Confirm live animal acceptance on every flight segment before booking. Not all aircraft or connections take pets, and cargo terms can differ leg to leg.

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

FAQ

Common questions

A CDC-registered animal care facility is a USDA-licensed facility that handles the entry processing for dogs from CDC high-risk countries. When your dog arrives, the facility conducts the required inspections and verifies the vaccination and documentation pathway. If everything is in order, the dog clears entry. The process is not a quarantine stay as such: it is an entry processing step. The exact procedures vary by facility. Facilities typically provide boarding until the documentation review is complete.
Miami International (MIA), JFK, LAX, Chicago O’Hare, and Atlanta Hartsfield are typically on the CDC approved airport list. LATAM’s direct services from Sao Paulo to Miami make MIA particularly convenient for this route. Always verify the current CDC approved airport list before booking, as the list is updated periodically.
Allow eight to twelve weeks from starting preparation to departure. This covers: confirming vaccination records, registering with CDC, making a facility reservation, obtaining the MAPA health certificate, and booking cargo. The CDC facility reservation is the step most likely to cause a delay if left too late, as popular facilities book out weeks in advance.
If your dog has unbroken documentation of a US-issued rabies vaccination, the re-entry process is more straightforward. You would need a current CDC Dog Import Form and documentation of the US vaccination. The key is having clear, timestamped documentation of where and when the vaccination was given. If there is any gap in the vaccination record or if the most recent vaccine was given in Brazil, the foreign-vaccination pathway applies. Confirm your specific situation with a specialist agent or the CDC.
From a US government perspective, cats have no federal import requirements from Brazil. However, your airline will require a health certificate for a cat travelling as cargo internationally. The MAPA-endorsed health certificate from your Brazilian vet satisfies this airline requirement. Budget a few days for your vet to prepare this before travel.
Airline guides
  • LATAM Airlines Cargo
  • American Airlines Cargo
  • United Airlines
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

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BR USBrazil to United States
International pet transport route
Lead time6-14 weeks
Quarantine28 days
ComplexityHigh
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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