Pet Transport from Japan to Brazil: 2026 Guide
Japan to Brazil is a long-haul route with no direct flights, requiring careful routing via Europe or the US. On the Japan side, the MAFF AQS export inspection is straightforward. On the Brazil side, you need a MAPA import permit before the health certificate …
The Japan to Brazil import process
Every step must be completed in sequence. A single missed deadline can add months to your timeline. We own the entire process.
Responsible: Vet in Japan
Responsible: You or a Brazilian agent
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: You or agent
Responsible: AQS officer
Responsible: Official vet + AQS
Responsible: You + cargo carrier
What your pet needs to enter Brazil
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
Brazil requires a specific MAPA certificate model, not a generic health certificate. The format matters as much as the content. Using the wrong template will result in the certificate being rejected at the Brazilian border.
The MAPA import permit must be obtained before the health certificate is finalised. Do not get the health certificate before the permit is confirmed.
Japan to Brazil has no direct flights. The long routing (typically via Europe or the US) adds travel time for your pet. Choose a routing with the shortest hub layover possible.
Japan is rabies-free, but Brazil requires a rabies vaccination certificate regardless. Carry the vaccination record clearly.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
The MAPA permit and certificate: Brazil's specific requirements
Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA) controls all animal imports through a permit and certificate system. For companion pet imports, the owner (or a Brazilian agent acting on their behalf) must obtain an import permit from MAPA before the official health certificate is issued in Japan.
The certificate itself must follow MAPA’s trilingual model: Portuguese, English, and the language of the origin country (in this case, Japanese). Standard veterinary health certificate templates issued in Japan will not be accepted unless they match this format. Your vet in Japan and/or a MAPA-experienced agent should know which template to use.
MAPA also requires proof of antiparasitic treatment within 15 days of the certificate’s issuance date, and a valid rabies vaccination even though Japan is officially rabies-free. These requirements apply to Japan just as they do to any other country.
Routing Japan to Brazil: the practicalities
There are no direct Japan-to-Brazil flights. The common routing options are: via Frankfurt (Lufthansa Group carriers to GRU); via Dubai (Emirates to GRU); via the US (JAL to JFK or LAX, then LATAM or another carrier to GRU); via Seoul (Korean Air to GRU via connections).
The Frankfurt routing is popular because Lufthansa and LATAM have an established freight partnership for Latin American routes. The total journey from Tokyo to Sao Paulo is typically 24-36 hours depending on layover times.
For your pet’s welfare, choose a routing with the shortest possible hub layover. A 2-3 hour transit at Frankfurt is preferable to a 10-hour overnight hold at a secondary hub. Book the cargo space across all legs at the same time, confirming that live animal cargo is accepted on every segment.
AQS inspection at Tokyo Narita
The MAFF Animal Quarantine Service (AQS) inspection is the Japan-side export step. You apply via the NACCS online system at least 10 days before your preferred inspection date. The inspection itself takes 30-60 minutes at the airport cargo facility.
AQS checks: ISO microchip readable by scanner, rabies vaccination current, pet appears healthy and free from signs of infectious disease. The officer issues the export quarantine certificate. This goes alongside your MAPA-compliant health certificate when you travel.
Most international vets in Tokyo and Osaka know the AQS process well. If you are based in another city, a Tokyo-based pet transport agent can coordinate both the AQS inspection and the MAPA certificate preparation.