Bringing a dog or cat to Brazil: import rules (2026)

Which rules apply to you

Brazil sorts arriving pets by where they travel from. Find your group, then follow its steps.

Arriving from	Titer test	Wait after sample	Permit	Quarantine
All countriesDogs and cats from any country. Mercosur countries can also use a valid Mercosur pet passport. Pets from WOAH-recognised rabies-free countries may be exempt from rabies vaccination if this is stated on the certificate.	No	—	No	Only if rules not met

Vaccinate against rabies
Pets 90 days or older need a valid rabies vaccine. A first vaccine must be at least 21 days old at departure. Pets under 90 days may enter unvaccinated if the certificate states their age and that they were not on premises with urban rabies in the last 90 days.
Vet exam within 10 days
A vet examines the pet within 10 days before the certificate is issued and confirms it is healthy and fit to travel.
Treat for internal and external parasites
Give a broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites within 15 days before the certificate's issue date. Record the product, active ingredient and date.
Get the official CVI
Use Brazil's certificate model, issued or endorsed by the official veterinary service of the origin country (e.g. USDA APHIS via VEHCS). It is valid for 60 days from issue.
Present to VIGIAGRO on arrival
Show the original certificate at the airport or border. A sworn translation may be required if the certificate is not in Portuguese.

No quarantine if documents are complete. Animals with missing or irregular papers can be held or sent back to origin at the owner's cost.

Cats: Same as dogs.
How many pets: Not specified (the US-Brazil certificate has room for 4 animals)
Parasite treatment: Broad-spectrum internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days before the certificate's issue date (dogs and cats).
Arrival: International airports and border posts with VIGIAGRO. Cargo pets need an inspection request form (Formulário XXIX) and the air waybill. Pets travelling as baggage are inspected by VIGIAGRO at arrival.

A microchip is optional. If used, it must be ISO 11784/11785 and recorded on the certificate.
Mercosur rules (IN MAPA 5/2013) let Member States refuse animals already diagnosed with leishmaniasis and apply special rules for dangerous breeds.
Brazil is on CDC's high-risk dog rabies list. Dogs going from Brazil to the US face strict CDC rules (titer or 28-day quarantine at specific airports).
Brazil's new CVI model (Portaria MAPA 741/2024) has reportedly been mandatory since September 2025. Old-format certificates may be rejected.

The text of Portaria MAPA 741/2024 and the date its new CVI became mandatory (reported as 6 Sep 2025) come from a secondary source. The official text was not accessible.
An older MAPA administrative document says a primary rabies vaccine must be 30 days before entry. The current certificate model says 21 days before departure. 21 days is used here.
A secondary source says certificates from non-Mercosur countries are valid for about 10 days rather than 60. The USDA certificate states 60 days, which is used here.
No official limit on the number of pets per traveller was found.