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Pet Transport from the US to Brazil: 2026 Process

Brazil does not require a titre test for pets arriving from the United States, which makes this route one of the simpler long-haul international pet moves. The requirements are: microchip, current rabies vaccination, USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate …

Step by step

The United States 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, American, United, or Delta to Sao Paulo

Responsible: Owner or agent

4
Within 10 days of departure
Schedule clinical examination by USDA-accredited vet within 10 days of departure

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet

5
Allow 3-10 business days for USDA APHIS endorsement. Certificate valid for 10 days from issue.
USDA-accredited vet completes health certificate. Submit to USDA APHIS for endorsement.

Responsible: USDA-accredited vet and USDA regional office

6
1 to 15 days before arrival in Brazil. Record on health certificate.
Administer antiparasitic treatment (dogs only)

Responsible: Vet

7
On departure date
Travel to Brazil. Present USDA-endorsed certificate and records at MAPA inspection.

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 for pets from the US.
Import permit
No formal import permit required for personal pets (up to 2 dogs or cats per …
Health certificate
USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel. Must …
Export permit
No US export permit required for dogs and cats.
Costs

What this route typically costs

USDA-accredited vet health certificate fee: USD 80 to USD 200
USDA APHIS endorsement fee: approximately USD 38 per certificate
Antiparasitic treatment (dogs): USD 30 to USD 80
Cargo airline fee US to Sao Paulo (direct): USD 800 to USD 2,500 …
Pet transport agent fee (optional): USD 350 to USD 1,100
IATA-compliant travel crate: USD 100 to USD 500
Total typical range: USD 1,200 to USD 4,500 all in

Critical points

Brazil does not require a titre test for pets from the US. This makes the USA-to-Brazil move significantly simpler than many long-haul routes. The process can be completed in three to six weeks.

Dogs must have antiparasitic treatment 1 to 15 days before arrival in Brazil. Timing this with the USDA APHIS endorsement window requires some coordination with your vet.

USDA APHIS endorsement takes 3-10 business days. With the 10-day certificate validity window, plan the clinical examination and endorsement timing carefully.

Brazil's personal import limit is 2 pets per person. More than 2 pets may require a different import category.

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 Miami, New York JFK, and other US gateways to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU). Primary …
Cargo Only
American Airlines Cargo
Direct Miami and Dallas to GRU. Strong Brazil connections. Breed and seasonal restrictions …
Cargo Only
United Airlines
Services from US hubs to GRU. United PetSafe cargo. Size and breed restrictions apply.
Cargo Only
Delta Air Lines Cargo
Services from Atlanta and New York to Sao Paulo. Delta Cargo for live animals.
Cargo Only

Why the US-to-Brazil route is simpler than most

Compared to destinations like Australia, the UK, or Japan, Brazil’s pet import requirements from the US are light. There is no titre test, no six-month waiting period, and no quarantine. Pets with an existing microchip and current rabies vaccination are essentially ready to travel once you have the USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate.

The requirements in full: ISO microchip, current rabies vaccination (at least 21 days since first vaccination), USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, and antiparasitic treatment for dogs 1 to 15 days before arrival. That covers entry from the US.

The antiparasitic treatment window for dogs

Dogs entering Brazil must have antiparasitic treatment administered 1 to 15 days before arrival. The treatment should cover both internal and external parasites. Your USDA-accredited vet administers the treatment and records it on the health certificate.

The timing window is specific: done more than 15 days before arrival, the treatment falls outside the accepted window. Done within 1 day of arrival, it is also too close. The practical solution is to schedule a vet appointment around 7 to 10 days before your flight, combining the clinical examination for the certificate and the antiparasitic treatment in a single visit.

USDA express processing (1-3 business days) is useful here: it gives you more flexibility to schedule the vet appointment and still have time for the endorsement before the 10-day certificate validity expires.

Multiple airlines and direct routes from the US

LATAM, American Airlines, United Airlines, and Delta Air Lines all operate cargo services from the US to Sao Paulo Guarulhos (GRU). This is one of the more competitively served air corridors for pet cargo from North America to South America.

Miami is a common departure point: it is a hub for both LATAM and American on Brazil routes. New York JFK, Dallas, Atlanta, and Houston are additional options depending on your US departure city. Confirm live animal cargo availability on your specific flight when booking.

FAQ

Common questions

No. The antiparasitic treatment requirement applies to dogs only. Cats from the US entering Brazil need a microchip, current rabies vaccination, and a USDA APHIS-endorsed health certificate. No antiparasitic treatment is required for cats.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of travel, and USDA APHIS endorsement takes 3 to 10 business days. The antiparasitic treatment for dogs must be done 1 to 15 days before arrival. The recommended approach: schedule the vet appointment 7 to 9 days before your flight, complete the clinical examination and antiparasitic treatment together, submit for USDA endorsement using express processing (1-3 days), and you should have the endorsed certificate with time to spare.
Your vet must be USDA-accredited to complete the health certificate. Most licensed US vets are USDA-accredited or can become accredited. Check that your vet is accredited before scheduling the appointment. The USDA APHIS website has a national database to confirm accreditation status.
MAPA (Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply) inspectors at GRU check the USDA-endorsed health certificate, microchip (verified by scanner), vaccination records, and the antiparasitic treatment record for dogs. If all documentation is in order, the pet clears inspection the same day. Having all documents well-organised and clearly legible makes the inspection faster.
In-cabin pet travel on international routes from the US to Brazil is generally not available on most carriers. LATAM, American, United, and Delta do not permit pets in cabin on this route as standard. Small dogs and cats travel in the cargo hold in climate-controlled conditions. Confirm with your specific airline when booking.
Breed guides

Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.

Browse all breed guides →

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US BRUnited States to Brazil
International pet transport route
Lead time3-6 weeks
QuarantineNo
ComplexityLow
Airlines4
ServiceDoor to door
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