Importing Your Pet to Brazil

Every requirement below is taken from an official government page, and each one links to the page it comes from. The rules were last checked on 2 October 2026. They can change, so check the linked page again before you book.

Who is in charge

• MAPA (Vigiagro) regulates entry; dogs and cats need a CVI or official passport issued by the origin country's veterinary authority meeting Brazil's requirements (page updated 18/08/2025).
  Entrar no Brasil, checked 2 October 2026

Where your pet travels from

• Single set of requirements for all origins: Portaria MAPA 741/2024 (incorporating the Mercosur requirements) applies to every entry of dogs and cats into Brazil; no origin grouping exists.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Import permit

• Not required: no prior import authorisation is needed for dogs and cats, accompanied or not; only official health certificates meeting SDA requirements (MAPA page updated 29/07/2020). Other companion animals (rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas) do need MAPA import authorisation.
  Importação (Saúde Animal), checked 2 October 2026

Microchip

• Where electronic identification is used, the microchip must meet ISO 11784 and/or 11785; the Portaria leaves the identification procedure to each State Party. The CVI model has microchip number, date and location fields.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026
• MAPA FAQ: the microchip is read at departure and on disembarkation in Brazil (stated for animals with the Brazilian pet passport, for which a microchip is mandatory). Applies to dogs and cats travelling on the Brazilian pet passport.
  Perguntas e Respostas frequentes sobre Viagens Internacionais com Cães e Gatos, checked 2 October 2026
• Not listed: MAPA's FAQ (page updated 11/09/2025), question 15, sets out the sanitary requirements for an animal to enter Brazil in eight items (rabies vaccination from 90 days, 21 days after a first vaccination, the under-90-days rule, the rabies-free origin exemption, other immunisations and treatments of the last 3 months shown on the CVI, parasite treatment within 15 days, clinical examination within 10 days, possible refusal after leishmaniasis); none is a microchip. The FAQ list cites IN MAPA 05/2013, which Portaria MAPA 741/2024 revoked; the current Portaria is no different on this point: Portaria MAPA 741/2024 Annex I Art. 17 leaves the identification procedure to each State Party and only sets ISO 11784/11785 (and the chip location on the CVI) where electronic identification is used, and the mandatory CVI model marks its microchip fields "If applicable / Se corresponder". No MAPA, APHIS, GOV.UK or DAFF page read says a chip is required to enter Brazil (the GOV.UK EHC 2906 has a transponder field but its notes for guidance do not require a chip). A chip is mandatory only for the Brazilian pet passport (MAPA FAQ question 7).
  Perguntas e Respostas frequentes sobre Viagens Internacionais com Cães e Gatos, checked 2 October 2026

Rabies vaccination

• Animals aged 90 days or more must enter vaccinated against rabies with a vaccine authorised in the country where it was given and still within its validity (Portaria MAPA 741/2024, Annex I Art. 9). Art. 12 exempts animals from an origin officially rabies-free under the WOAH Code only if Brazil has recognised that status in advance and it is certified on the CVI. Applies to dogs and cats aged 90 days or more.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026
• After a primary rabies vaccination, 21 days must pass before shipment. Applies to dogs and cats with a primary (first) rabies vaccination.
  International Veterinary Certificate for export of dogs and cats to Brazil (model), checked 2 October 2026
  Official sources differ

  The Brazilian Consulate in Hartford page (MRE, updated 01/08/2025, https://www.gov.br/mre/pt-br/consulado-hartford/servicos-consulares-e-informacoes-uties/ingresso-de-animais-domesticos-no-brasil) still says a first rabies vaccination must be at least 30 days before entry, citing the superseded Portaria 430/1997. MAPA's current Portaria 741/2024 and mandatory CVI model (21 days) are preferred as the competent authority and newer rule.

Rabies titre test

• Not required: Portaria MAPA 741/2024 sets the full entry requirements for dogs and cats from any origin and contains no rabies antibody test (Art. 2 scope; no serology provision in the Portaria or the mandatory CVI model).
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Health certificate

• A specific CVI model ("International Veterinary Certificate for export of dogs and cats from ... to Brazil") is mandatory from 6 September 2025 under Portaria MAPA 741/2024.
  Entrar no Brasil, checked 2 October 2026
• The CVI is valid for 60 days from issue, provided rabies vaccination remains in force; it is valid only if issued or signed by the origin country's Veterinary Authority (stamp and signature of an official veterinarian).
  International Veterinary Certificate for export of dogs and cats to Brazil (model), checked 2 October 2026
• Clinical examination by a veterinarian within 10 days before the CVI is issued, certifying no signs of infectious or parasitic disease and fitness for transport.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Other vaccines and tests

• Brazil may refuse entry to animals previously diagnosed with leishmaniasis. No other vaccine or test is required by Portaria 741/2024.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Parasite treatment

• Broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites within 15 days before the CVI is issued, using products approved by the exporting country's veterinary or competent authority and following the manufacturer's recommendations (Portaria MAPA 741/2024, Annex I, Art. 13).
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Quarantine

• Not required: Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (consulate page updated 01/08/2025) states MAPA does not impose import quarantine on compliant dogs and cats; suspected infectious disease leads to isolation. That page cites the superseded Portaria 430/1997, but current Portaria 741/2024 also contains no quarantine provision. Applies to dogs and cats meeting the entry requirements.
  Ingresso de animais domésticos no Brasil, checked 2 October 2026

Arrival points and notice

• Live animals, including dogs and cats, may be imported only through ports, airports and border posts that have a Vigiagro unit with the minimum structure to receive, inspect and hold them; inspection must take place at the point of entry and customs transit to an inland clearance point is not allowed (Manual do Vigiagro, Instrução Normativa MAPA 39/2017, Annex XLVI, version 2 under IN 12/2018; MAPA page updated 04/03/2022). No current MAPA page readable without a login lists the individual entry points.
  Manual do Vigiagro (Instrução Normativa MAPA nº 39/2017), checked 2 October 2026
• Documents at entry for non-commercial dogs and cats (IN MAPA 39/2017, Annex XLVI item 2.1): the e-DBV customs baggage declaration when travelling as accompanied baggage, or a DAT-PF (Declaração Agropecuária de Trânsito para Pessoa Física) when travelling as unaccompanied baggage or cargo; the CVI or pet passport endorsed by the exporting country's official veterinary service; the air waybill or cargo manifest for unaccompanied or cargo shipments; and a power of attorney where applicable. The list for non-commercial dogs and cats contains no advance notice of arrival by the owner; prior notice of arrival is listed only for commercial animal imports (item 2.3 c).
  Manual do Vigiagro (Instrução Normativa MAPA nº 39/2017), checked 2 October 2026
• Advance notice is the carrier's duty: international passenger carriers or their agents must inform the local Vigiagro unit of each arrival at least 6 hours ahead by air (shipping agents report the navigation plan; at land borders the driver reports on arrival), and the notice must include the presence of live animals (IN MAPA 39/2017, Annex VI items 2.1 and 2.2 f, version 2 under IN 12/2019). Applies to dogs and cats arriving with international passenger carriers.
  Manual do Vigiagro (Instrução Normativa MAPA nº 39/2017), checked 2 October 2026
• On arrival, a traveller carrying agricultural goods with entry requirements must declare them on the e-DBV and present to the Vigiagro unit through the customs "Bens a Declarar" (goods to declare) channel (Portaria MAPA 872 of 12 December 2025, Art. 6; published 05/01/2026, in force 04/02/2026). The Portaria's definition of agricultural goods includes animals (Art. 2), and MAPA's traveller list allows dogs and cats in only when all their sanitary requirements are met. Applies to dogs and cats arriving as accompanied baggage.
  Portaria MAPA nº 872, de 12 de dezembro de 2025 (bens agropecuários na bagagem de viajantes), checked 2 October 2026

Minimum age

• No minimum age: animals under 90 days may travel unvaccinated if certified to have had no contact with urban rabies cases in the last 90 days. Applies to dogs and cats under 90 days.
  International Veterinary Certificate for export of dogs and cats to Brazil (model), checked 2 October 2026

How many pets

• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Banned and restricted breeds

• Not listed: MAPA's FAQ question 15 (page updated 11/09/2025) lists the eight sanitary requirements for an animal to enter Brazil and none restricts any breed. The FAQ list cites IN MAPA 05/2013, which Portaria MAPA 741/2024 revoked; the current Portaria is no different on this point: Portaria MAPA 741/2024 Annex I Art. 3 only allows a State Party to set a specific regime where parts of its territory restrict dangerous breeds; no MAPA page announces such a regime for Brazil, and the APHIS, GOV.UK and DAFF pages read mention no breed rule for Brazil. This covers federal entry rules only; state or municipal dangerous-dog laws were not researched.
  Perguntas e Respostas frequentes sobre Viagens Internacionais com Cães e Gatos, checked 2 October 2026

How your pet may travel

• Whether a pet may travel in the passenger cabin depends on its size and weight and on the airline's own rules (MAPA FAQ question 31, page updated 11/09/2025). Portaria 741/2024 Art. 4 makes the owner solely responsible for meeting container and transport-mode rules. No MAPA rule restricts entry to cargo or to accompanied baggage.
  Perguntas e Respostas frequentes sobre Viagens Internacionais com Cães e Gatos, checked 2 October 2026
• The owner alone is responsible for container standards and any other rules of the means of transport used (Portaria MAPA 741/2024, Annex I, Art. 4).
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026

Official fees

• Customs: Receita Federal treats domestic animals acquired abroad and brought to Brazil as traveller's goods, taxed normally within the duty-free allowance and quantitative limits, and commercial use is barred (Receita Federal traveller FAQ 3.22, page updated 04/09/2026). No MAPA entry inspection fee is stated on any page read. Applies to dogs and cats acquired abroad and brought into Brazil by a traveller.
  Guia do Viajante: Perguntas e Respostas, checked 2 October 2026
• Costs or losses of any kind arising from failing to meet the entry requirements, in part or in full, are borne by the animal's owner or person responsible (Portaria MAPA 741/2024, Annex I, Art. 19). No MAPA page read states whether the Vigiagro entry inspection itself carries a fee (see not_stated).
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026
• No official page states a rule on this. We confirm it with you for each move.

Other conditions

• Return to Brazil: a CVI issued in Brazil on the agreed model for listed destinations (including USA, Canada, UK, EU, South Africa, UAE, China, Mexico, Russia) allows return within 60 days if rabies vaccination remains valid. Applies to dogs and cats returning to Brazil.
  Entrar no Brasil, checked 2 October 2026
• Humanitarian exception (Ofício 254/2025, 16/06/2025): pets of repatriated Brazilians or refugees from Middle East conflicts on humanitarian, military, chartered or repatriation flights may enter without a CVI or rabies certificate; Vigiagro applies its irregular-documentation procedures. Applies to dogs and cats of repatriated Brazilian citizens or refugees on humanitarian flights only.
  Entrar no Brasil, checked 2 October 2026
• A nursing female with at least one unweaned offspring under 90 days is treated as one biological unit. Applies to nursing females with offspring under 90 days.
  Portaria MAPA nº 741, de 10 de dezembro de 2024, checked 2 October 2026
• Customs declaration: travellers carrying animals must file a baggage declaration (e-DBV) with Receita Federal on arrival, as animals are restricted goods (traveller FAQ 3.1, page updated 04/09/2026). Applies to all travellers arriving in Brazil with a dog or cat.
  Guia do Viajante: Perguntas e Respostas, checked 2 October 2026
• Non-compliance at entry (Manual do Vigiagro, IN MAPA 39/2017, Annex XLVI item 3.8): a dog or cat arriving with no sanitary documentation is refused and must be returned to origin; where documents contain errors, missing information or unmet requirements, the Federal Agricultural Inspector may instead send the animal to home quarantine supervised by a private veterinarian paid by the importer.
  Manual do Vigiagro (Instrução Normativa MAPA nº 39/2017), checked 2 October 2026