Pet Transport from Brazil to the UK: 2026 Process
Brazil is an unlisted country for the UK Pet Travel Scheme, which means pets from Brazil require a titre test and a three-month waiting period before entering the UK. The preparation process takes a minimum of five months. There are direct cargo services from …
The Brazil to United Kingdom 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
Responsible: MAPA-authorised vet
Responsible: Vet and APHA-approved laboratory
Responsible: Owner to track
Responsible: OV vet in Brazil, endorsed by MAPA
Responsible: Vet. Record on AHC.
Responsible: Airline cargo
What your pet needs to enter United Kingdom
Every item must be verified before your pet can board. We track each one against current standards.
What this route typically costs
Critical points
The three-month wait after the titre test cannot be shortened. Plan for at least five months from start to travel date.
Finding an Official Veterinarian in Brazil who can issue the UK AHC in the correct format takes time. OVs familiar with UK documentation are concentrated in Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro. A UK-based pet transport agent can recommend suitable OVs.
The new AHC template is mandatory for UK entry from October 2026. The OV in Brazil must use the correct current template.
Brazil's canine rabies situation varies by region. UK import authorities assess documentation based on the vaccination and titre test record, not the pet's address. Ensure all records are complete and clearly formatted.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
Brazil is unlisted: the titre test and three-month wait
Great Britain’s Pet Travel Scheme classifies countries as listed or unlisted. Brazil is unlisted, meaning pets from Brazil must go through the unlisted country process. This is the same process required for dogs and cats from Turkey, Indonesia, Saudi Arabia, and other non-EU countries not on the listed country list.
The process: microchip before vaccination, rabies vaccination, blood draw at least 30 days after vaccination at an APHA-approved laboratory (confirming at least 0.5 IU/ml), and a three-month waiting period from the blood draw date. The clock runs from the blood draw, not from when results arrive.
From day one (microchip and vaccination), the minimum timeline to be travel-ready is five months. Build in some buffer: if the first titre test result comes back below 0.5 IU/ml, the process must restart with a repeat vaccination and wait.
Finding an OV for the UK AHC in Brazil
The Animal Health Certificate must be issued by an Official Veterinarian authorised for UK pet exports. This is not a standard Brazilian veterinary certificate: it is a specific UK format document. OVs who are familiar with the UK AHC format and MAPA endorsement process tend to be found in Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and other large cities with significant expat populations.
A UK-based pet transport agent with Brazil experience is the most reliable way to identify an appropriate OV. Allow time before your travel date to find and book the OV appointment, as demand in major Brazilian cities can be high around relocation season.
Direct flights from Sao Paulo to Heathrow
LATAM and British Airways both operate direct services between Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) and London Heathrow. For pet cargo, a direct routing is preferable: it eliminates a hub transfer, reduces total journey time, and is generally more predictable.
For pets travelling from cities other than Sao Paulo, a domestic connection to GRU is typically needed before the international leg. Air France via Paris or KLM via Amsterdam are alternative routings for owners where a European hub connection is the most convenient option.