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Pet Transport from the UK to Brazil: 2026 Process

Brazil is one of the more straightforward long-haul destinations from the UK, primarily because Brazil does not require a titre test for pets arriving from the UK. The process is: microchip, rabies vaccination at least 21 days before travel, a health …

Step by step

The United Kingdom 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.

1
Before any vaccination if not already done
Confirm microchip is implanted and readable

Responsible: Vet

2
Must be at least 21 days before travel if this is the first vaccination
Administer or confirm current rabies vaccination

Responsible: Vet

3
As soon as travel dates are confirmed
Book cargo on LATAM or BA direct to Sao Paulo

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within 10 days of travel date
Obtain health certificate from APHA-authorised OV in the UK

Responsible: APHA-authorised OV

5
1 to 15 days before entry into Brazil. Record on health certificate.
Administer antiparasitic treatment (dogs only)

Responsible: Vet

6
On departure date. Present health certificate at Brazil customs.
Travel to Brazil via LATAM or BA direct to Sao Paulo

Responsible: Airline cargo

Requirements

What your pet needs to enter Brazil

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

Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip mandatory.
Rabies vaccination
Current rabies vaccination required. At least 21 days must have passed since …
Rabies titre test
Not required. Brazil does not require a titre test from the UK.
Import permit
No formal import permit required for personal pets (up to 2 dogs or cats per …
Health certificate
Official veterinary health certificate from an APHA-authorised OV in the UK, …
Export permit
No UK export permit required for dogs and cats.
Costs

What this route typically costs

Health certificate from APHA-authorised OV: £150 to £300
Antiparasitic treatment (dogs): £20 to £60
Cargo airline fee Heathrow to Sao Paulo (direct): £700 to £2,500 …
Pet transport agent fee (optional): £350 to £900
IATA-compliant travel crate: £80 to £400
Total typical range: £1,100 to £4,200 all in

Critical points

Brazil does not require a titre test from the UK, which makes this a considerably simpler move than most non-EU long-haul destinations. The absence of a titre test and 3-month wait cuts the timeline from 5+ months to around 3-6 weeks.

Dogs must have antiparasitic treatment 1 to 15 days before arrival in Brazil. The exact timing window matters: treatment done more than 15 days before arrival is outside the accepted window.

Brazil's import rules allow up to 2 pets per person for personal import. Bringing more than 2 animals may require a different import category and additional documentation. Confirm with MAPA if you have more than 2 pets.

Health certificates must meet MAPA requirements. Not all Brazilian ports of entry handle live animal cargo: confirm your routing arrives at an airport with appropriate facilities and MAPA inspection services.

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

No titre test: why Brazil is simpler than most long-haul moves

Many long-haul destinations from the UK require a titre test and a three-month waiting period. Brazil does not. This is the single most important fact about the UK to Brazil route: without the titre test requirement, the minimum preparation time drops from five or six months to three to six weeks.

The requirements are: ISO microchip, rabies vaccination (at least 21 days must have passed since the first vaccination), an official health certificate from an APHA-authorised OV issued within 10 days of travel, and antiparasitic treatment for dogs administered 1 to 15 days before arrival. That is the full list.

If your pet is already microchipped and has a current rabies vaccination, you are essentially down to booking the flight, timing the health certificate, and the antiparasitic treatment window for dogs.

The antiparasitic treatment for dogs

Dogs entering Brazil must receive an antiparasitic treatment covering both internal and external parasites within a specific window: 1 to 15 days before arrival. This is distinct from the tapeworm treatment required for UK entry (which is praziquantel-based and targets a specific parasite). Brazil’s requirement is broader and covers both internal and external parasites.

Your UK vet will administer the appropriate product and record it on the health certificate. The timing matters: treatment done more than 15 days before arrival in Brazil is outside the accepted window. For a vet appointment and health certificate within 10 days of travel, coordinating the antiparasitic treatment in the same visit is the most efficient approach.

Direct flights from Heathrow to Sao Paulo

LATAM and British Airways both operate direct cargo services between London Heathrow and Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU). For pet cargo, a direct flight reduces total journey time and eliminates the complexity of a hub transfer.

LATAM has an extensive domestic network within Brazil, which is useful if you are relocating to a city other than Sao Paulo. Pets typically arrive at GRU and are cleared through MAPA inspection before domestic onward travel can be arranged.

Air France via Paris and KLM via Amsterdam are additional options if direct services do not fit your travel dates. Both have strong Sao Paulo connections from their European hubs.

FAQ

Common questions

No. The antiparasitic treatment requirement in Brazil applies to dogs only. Cats do not require it. Cats travelling from the UK to Brazil need: a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a health certificate issued within 10 days of travel meeting MAPA requirements.
Brazil’s MAPA requires an official health certificate from an authorised official veterinarian in the exporting country. For UK pets, this means an APHA-authorised OV issuing the certificate. The certificate must meet MAPA’s format requirements and typically includes: microchip number, vaccination history, health examination declaration, and for dogs the antiparasitic treatment details. Your OV should be familiar with MAPA requirements, or a UK-based pet transport agent can advise.
Brazil’s personal import rules cover up to 2 dogs or cats per person. Bringing more than 2 animals may require a different import category. Contact MAPA directly or work with a specialist agent to confirm the current rules for groups of more than 2 pets before making plans.
Most international pet cargo routes from the UK end at Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU), which has MAPA inspection facilities for live animal arrivals. Flying directly to other Brazilian cities is technically possible if the destination airport has MAPA inspection capability, but GRU is the established and most reliable entry point. Confirm with your airline and agent which entry airports are practical for your routing.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel. For dogs, the antiparasitic treatment must also be administered 1 to 15 days before arrival. The most efficient approach is to book a vet appointment around 8 to 9 days before your flight, covering both the clinical examination for the certificate and the antiparasitic treatment in the same visit. This leaves a small buffer while keeping both within the required windows.
Breed guides

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GB BRUnited Kingdom to Brazil
International pet transport route
Lead time3-6 weeks
QuarantineNo
ComplexityLow
Airlines3
ServiceDoor to door
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