Flying private to Brazil with your dog or cat
A private flight makes the journey easier for a pet, but it does not change the import rules. Every dog or cat needs an international veterinary certificate (CVI) or an official passport from the country of departure, checked by Vigiagro on arrival.
- Certificate
- CVI, valid 60 days
- Rabies vaccine
- From 90 days of age
- First vaccination
- 21 days before travel
- Checked by
- Vigiagro (MAPA)
How pet import works
Yes, with a CVI or an official passport from the veterinary authority of the country of departure. Dogs and cats from 90 days of age must be vaccinated against rabies, with a first vaccination at least 21 days before travel, and treated against internal and external parasites within 15 days before the certificate is issued.
Brazil's rules for dogs and cats come from Portaria MAPA nº 741 of 2024, which brings a Mercosur resolution into Brazilian law. The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA) applies them through Vigiagro at the point of entry.
Tell us about your pet when you ask for a quote. Operators set their own rules on pets in the cabin, and we confirm with the operator and the handler at your arrival airport how the pet will be checked.
Sources:Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA): entering Brazil with pets, updated 18 August 2025Portaria MAPA nº 741 of 10 December 2024 (DOU 12 December 2024), dogs and cats, Mercosur GMC Resolution 20/24, text as published by Normas Brasil
Brazil's import rules for dogs and cats
| Requirement | Rule |
|---|---|
| Certificate | Original CVI issued by the veterinary authority of the exporting country, or a valid official passport that contains the CVI data; the official CVI model is mandatory from 6 September 2025 |
| Validity | 60 days from issue, while the rabies vaccination is still valid (Article 6) |
| Rabies vaccination | All animals from 90 days of age (Article 9); after a first vaccination, travel only once 21 days have passed (Article 10) |
| Animals under 90 days | May enter unvaccinated if the exporting authority certifies their age and they have had no contact with urban rabies in the last 90 days (Article 11) |
| Parasite treatment | Broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites within 15 days before the CVI is issued (Article 13) |
| Clinical exam | By a registered vet within 10 days before the CVI is issued, finding no signs of infectious or parasitic disease and fitness to travel (Article 14) |
| Microchip | Where used, it must meet ISO 11784 and/or ISO 11785, with the implant site stated on the CVI (Article 17) |
A country or zone officially free of rabies under WOAH standards can be exempt from vaccination if this is recognised in advance and stated on the CVI (Article 12). The text sets no limit on the number of animals.
Sources:Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA): entering Brazil with pets, updated 18 August 2025Portaria MAPA nº 741 of 10 December 2024 (DOU 12 December 2024), dogs and cats, Mercosur GMC Resolution 20/24, text as published by Normas Brasil
Tell us the dates and passengers. A specialist replies with aircraft options and an all-in price, around the clock.
How a pet arrives
Vigiagro, MAPA's international agricultural surveillance service, checks the documents at the point of entry. Where the rabies vaccination is not validly proven, MAPA says a conduct agreement (Termo de Conduta) may be signed. If an animal does not meet the rules, the authority may refuse, re-export or hold it, and the owner pays the costs (Articles 18 and 19).
From the United States, the certificate is a USDA-endorsed form for dogs and cats going to Brazil. It marks the microchip details as optional and records every treatment in the three months before issue.
Sources:Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA): entering Brazil with pets, updated 18 August 2025Portaria MAPA nº 741 of 10 December 2024 (DOU 12 December 2024), dogs and cats, Mercosur GMC Resolution 20/24, text as published by Normas BrasilUSDA APHIS: veterinary health certificate for export of dogs and cats from the US to Brazil
Coming back to Brazil, and other pets
- A CVI issued to leave Brazil for a listed country, including the United States, the United Kingdom, the UAE, Canada and the EU, allows the pet to return within 60 days while the rabies vaccine is still valid.
- Rabbits, ferrets, chinchillas and similar pets need an import authorisation from MAPA's federal superintendency in the destination state.
Sources:Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA): entering Brazil with pets, updated 18 August 2025
Questions, answered
Still deciding? A charter specialist will talk you through aircraft, airports and price, with no obligation.
Ask a specialistDoes my dog need a rabies vaccination to enter Brazil?+
Yes, from 90 days of age. After a first vaccination, the dog can travel once 21 days have passed. Younger animals can enter unvaccinated under conditions certified by the exporting authority.
How long is the CVI valid?+
60 days from issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid.
Does Brazil require a microchip?+
The rules set the ISO standard for a microchip and require its site on the CVI where one is used. The US certificate for Brazil marks the microchip details as optional.
Who checks my pet when I land?+
Vigiagro, part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, at the point of entry.
Fares, dates and rules on this page were checked on 19 October 2026. Official fares and schedules change every season; the operator or authority named in each source has the final word.
- 1.Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA): entering Brazil with pets, updated 18 August 2025
- 2.Portaria MAPA nº 741 of 10 December 2024 (DOU 12 December 2024), dogs and cats, Mercosur GMC Resolution 20/24, text as published by Normas Brasil
- 3.USDA APHIS: veterinary health certificate for export of dogs and cats from the US to Brazil
Room for every member of the family.
A specialist replies around the clock with aircraft options, the operator's name and an all-in price.