Pet Transport from Brazil to the USA: 2026 Guide
Brazil is classified as a CDC high-risk country, which means dogs vaccinated in Brazil must follow the CDC foreign-vaccination pathway when entering the United States. This requires a pre-arranged facility reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility …
The Brazil to United States 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: Owner, ideally with a specialist pet transport agent
Responsible: Vet
Responsible: Owner or specialist pet transport agent
Responsible: MAPA-authorised official vet
Responsible: Owner or agent
Responsible: Airline cargo
What your pet needs to enter United States
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 is a CDC high-risk country. Dogs vaccinated in Brazil must follow the CDC foreign-vaccination pathway. Arriving at a non-CDC-approved airport or without a facility reservation puts your dog at risk of being turned back or quarantined for 28 days.
Dogs must arrive at a CDC-approved airport. Miami, JFK, LAX, Chicago O'Hare, and Atlanta are typically on the approved list. Verify the current CDC list before booking.
Cats from Brazil have no CDC requirements. A cat enters the US from Brazil with only standard customs health inspection.
LATAM has a direct Sao Paulo to Miami route that is well-used for Brazil-USA pet cargo. Miami is also a CDC-approved airport and is a practical entry point.
Approved carriers for this route
Not all airlines accept live animals. We book only with carriers that handle live animal cargo correctly.
CDC high-risk: the distinction that matters most
The key question for dogs coming from Brazil is where the vaccination happened. If your dog was vaccinated in the US before moving to Brazil and you have documentation of that US vaccination, the process for re-entry is more straightforward.
If your dog was vaccinated in Brazil (the typical case), you must follow the foreign-vaccination pathway. This means registering with the CDC, making an advance reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility in the US, and arriving at a CDC-approved airport. The facility handles the entry processing. If you arrive without a reservation, the dog may be denied entry or placed in a 28-day quarantine.
The CDC website maintains a current list of approved airports and registered facilities. These lists change, so check them against your planned routing when booking. JFK, Miami, LAX, Chicago O’Hare, and Atlanta are typically on the approved list.
Cats from Brazil: a completely separate process
Cats are not subject to the CDC high-risk country rules. Regardless of where a cat was vaccinated, a cat from Brazil enters the US through standard customs health inspection only. No facility reservation, no CDC pathway, no quarantine.
Airlines may require a health certificate for cats travelling as cargo, but this is an airline policy, not a US entry requirement. MAPA-endorsed health certificate from your Brazilian vet satisfies the airline requirement.
LATAM direct from Sao Paulo to the US
LATAM Airlines operates direct cargo services from Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) to Miami, New York JFK, and other US gateways. Miami International Airport is particularly convenient for this route: it is typically on the CDC-approved airport list, and Miami has experienced live animal cargo handling facilities.
American Airlines also operates direct services from GRU to Miami and Dallas. Both are established carriers for live animal cargo on this corridor. For pets from other Brazilian cities, a domestic connection to GRU is typically needed before the international leg.