Brazil doesn't need a microchip, but the CDC does. Every dog returning to the US from Brazil needs an ISO microchip implanted before the rabies vaccine — get this done before you leave. Cat owners can skip the microchip, but it's worth $25–$50 if your cat bolts at Guarulhos Airport.
Bringing a Dog or Cat to Brazil from the US — 2026 Requirements
•16 min read
international
Lisa Carter
International Pet Relocator
| Applies to | Dogs and cats (re-entry rules differ significantly by species) |
| Documents | Health certificate + USDA endorsement + Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination (dogs only, for return) |
| Vaccines | Rabies only (21-day wait if first shot) |
| Microchip | Not required by Brazil (required for dogs returning to the US) |
| Quarantine | None |
| Cost | $480–$2,500+ (dogs) / $390–$2,200+ (cats) |
| Timeline | Start 4–6 weeks before travel |
| Difficulty | 🟠 Hard |
Flying from the US to Brazil with your dog or cat takes a USDA-endorsed health certificate, an active rabies vaccine, and parasite treatment within 15 days of travel.
Brazil's own import rules are surprisingly relaxed — no permit, no microchip, no quarantine, and a 60-day certificate validity window that gives you more breathing room than most countries.
The hard part is finding a flight. The CDC classifies Brazil as high-risk for dog rabies, and that classification has cascaded into airline policies across the board.
While most US carriers have restricted pets on these routes, United Airlines remains a primary option, allowing cabin pets for a $150 fee. Delta allows them on flights to Brazil but generally prohibits them on flights originating from Brazil.
Every major carrier — American, United, Delta — also offers cargo options. Start prep 4–6 weeks before you fly.
What You Need
These rules are the same for dogs and cats:
- Health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, issued within 10 days of travel
- USDA endorsement — digital endorsement accepted
- Active rabies vaccine (21-day wait if it's your pet's first shot; pets under 90 days old don't need one)
- Internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days of health certificate issuance
- Brazil health certificate form completed by your vet
What you don't need
- Import permit
- Microchip
- Quarantine
- Titer test
- Vaccines beyond rabies (the health cert form lists "other vaccinations" as optional)
Watch Out
Vaccine Requirements
Brazil keeps this simple: rabies only.
If it's your pet's first rabies shot ever, give it at least 21 days before travel. Boosters have no waiting period. Pets under 90 days old don't need a rabies vaccine, but must travel with their vaccinated mother.
The official health certificate form has a section labeled "Other vaccinations (when applicable)" — that's an optional field. Third-party websites that list DHPP and leptospirosis for dogs or FVRCP for cats are describing what vets typically give, not what Brazil legally needs.
Your vet may recommend them for health reasons, but they're not an entry barrier.
A rabies vaccine costs $15–$30.
Health Certificate and USDA Endorsement
You need a health certificate issued by a USDA-accredited vet within 10 calendar days of your travel date. The vet examines your pet, records the rabies vaccine and parasite treatment details, and fills out the Brazil-specific health certificate form.
After the vet signs it, the certificate goes to USDA for endorsement. Your vet submits it through VEHCS (the electronic system).
Brazil accepts digital endorsement, so you don't need to mail anything — print the endorsed certificate from VEHCS.
The endorsement costs $38 per certificate. This is a bargain compared to the $101 some countries charge.
One thing Brazil does differently: the health certificate is valid for 60 days, not the usual 10–30. If your trip is under two months, one certificate covers both directions.
For details on the endorsement process, see our USDA endorsement guide.
Parasite Treatment
Your pet needs treatment for both internal parasites (worms) and external parasites (fleas and ticks) within 15 days of the health certificate issuance date. Your vet handles this during the health certificate exam.
Your vet must document the product name, active ingredient, dosage, and date for each treatment. Make sure they record both — missing one will flag the certificate.
Airline Options: The Hard Part
This is where Brazil gets difficult. CDC's high-risk classification for dog rabies has triggered airline restrictions that affect all pet travel — even cats, where the CDC has no restriction.
US carriers: cabin options
| United | Allowed ($150) | PetSafe available | Most reliable US option for cabin pets |
| Delta | Restricted | Delta Cargo available | Allowed TO Brazil; often banned FROM Brazil |
| American | Banned | PetEmbark available | Checked pets only for US Military/State Dept ($150) |
United is the primary US carrier allowing cabin pets on Brazil routes. Delta's policy often allows pets on the outbound leg from the US but restricts them on the return leg from Brazil due to the CDC's "high-risk" classification.
Brazilian carriers: your cabin options
| GOL | Miami (MIA) | 10 kg with carrier | Rigid: 22×32×43 cm / Flexible: 24×32×43 cm | ~$150 | Only MIA authorized for dogs (CDC) |
| Azul | Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Orlando (MCO) | 10 kg with carrier | 43×31.5×20 cm | $150 economy / $300 business | Check current CDC status |
| LATAM | JFK, ATL, LAX, MIA | 7 kg with carrier | Flexible: 40×28×25 cm / Rigid: 36×33×19 cm | ~$250 | Generally allowed; species limits apply |
Call before you book. These policies shift frequently because of the CDC situation. GOL, Azul, and LATAM all have specific rules regarding which US airports they can use for dogs originating from high-risk regions.
CriticalAirline pet policies on Brazil routes change frequently due to CDC restrictions. Confirm pet acceptance directly with your airline before booking. A policy that's available today may be suspended next month.
Cargo: the reliable option
For pets too large for cabin travel — or when cabin service is suspended — cargo is the fallback. American Airlines PetEmbark, United PetSafe, and Delta Cargo all transport pets to Brazil.
Cargo costs range from $800 to $2,000+ depending on your pet's size, the kennel dimensions, and the route. You'll need an IATA-compliant hard-sided kennel with food and water dishes attached.
Book cargo transport at least 2 weeks in advance.
Cost Breakdown
Dogs
| Vet exam + health certificate | $80–$200 | USDA-accredited vet |
| USDA APHIS endorsement | $38 | Digital endorsement |
| Rabies vaccine (if needed) | $15–$30 | 21-day wait if first shot |
| ISO microchip (if needed) | $25–$50 | Not for Brazil, but for US return |
| Parasite treatment | $20–$50 | Internal + external, within 15 days |
| Airline pet fee (cabin, each way) | $150–$250 | United $150; LATAM/GOL ~$150–$250 |
| Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination | $38+ | USDA endorsement for CDC form |
| Screwworm certificate (for return) | $30–$100 | Brazilian government vet |
| CDC Dog Import Form | Free | Online before return |
| Total estimate (cabin) | $480–$970 | Round trip, one dog |
| Total estimate (cargo) | $1,100–$2,500+ | Round trip, one dog |
Cats
| Vet exam + health certificate | $80–$200 | USDA-accredited vet |
| USDA APHIS endorsement | $38 | Digital endorsement |
| Rabies vaccine (if needed) | $15–$30 | 21-day wait if first shot |
| Parasite treatment | $20–$50 | Internal + external, within 15 days |
| Airline pet fee (cabin, each way) | $150–$250 | Same fees as dogs |
| Total estimate (cabin) | $390–$780 | Round trip, one cat |
| Total estimate (cargo) | $1,000–$2,200+ | Round trip, one cat |
Cats cost significantly less because they skip the microchip, Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form, screwworm certificate, and CDC Dog Import Form on the return trip.
Cost SaverBrazil's 60-day certificate validity means one health certificate can cover your entire round trip if you're traveling for less than two months. That saves you $80–$200+ on a second vet visit and $38 on a second USDA endorsement.
Timeline
4–6 weeks before departure: Confirm your pet's rabies vaccine is active. If your dog needs a first-ever rabies shot, get it now — the 21-day waiting period starts the clock. Get an ISO microchip implanted for your dog (before the rabies vaccine).
Start the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination process for dogs. A USDA-accredited vet completes this form, then submits it to USDA for endorsement. This must be done before your dog leaves the US — you cannot get it retroactively.
3 weeks before departure: Call your airline to confirm pet acceptance on your specific route and date. Book the pet spot. If cabin service is suspended, start arranging cargo transport.
7–10 days before departure: Visit your USDA-accredited vet for the health exam, parasite treatment, and certificate. The 10-day window starts here. Your vet submits the certificate through VEHCS for endorsement. Print the endorsed certificate.
1 week before return (dogs only): Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online. You'll need a photo of your dog and the microchip number.
5 days before return (dogs only): Visit a Brazilian government vet for a screwworm freedom certificate. This must come from a full-time salaried government vet, not a private practice.
Travel day: Bring all paperwork in a waterproof folder — endorsed health certificate, vaccine records, parasite treatment records, microchip records (dogs), Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination (dogs), and CDC Dog Import Form receipt (dogs). Arrive 3 hours early for international flights.
Common Mistakes
Airport Tips
CDC port restrictions for dogs: GOL is only authorized to carry dogs through Miami (MIA). Azul serves Fort Lauderdale (FLL) and Orlando (MCO). Your departure airport determines which Brazilian carrier you can use for cabin travel with a dog.
At check-in: Airlines check your endorsed health certificate and vaccination records at the counter before issuing a boarding pass. Have your documents accessible — not buried in checked luggage.
At arrival in Brazil: Brazil's agricultural inspection service (VIGIAGRO) reviews your endorsed health certificate at the airport. São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) handle the most pet arrivals and have experienced inspection staff.
Re-entry to the USA
This is where Brazil gets complex — especially for dogs. Brazil is a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies, screwworm-endemic, and not recognized as FMD-free by the USDA. This stacks three extra layers of paperwork and protocols on top of the standard return process.
Dogs
Before you leave the US — 4 documents:
1. Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form. A specific CDC form completed by a USDA-accredited vet and endorsed by USDA before your dog leaves the US. This is not the same as a regular rabies certificate. You can reuse it as long as the rabies vaccine is still valid (typically 1 or 3 years).
2. CDC Dog Import Form. Complete the CDC Dog Import Form online before your return. Free. Each dog needs its own form. The receipt is valid for one entry on the date listed.
3. ISO microchip. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccine. Border officials scan this to match your dog to its paperwork.
4. Screwworm freedom certificate. A Brazilian government vet inspects your dog and certifies it's screwworm-free within 5 days of your return flight. Must come from a salaried government vet, not private practice.
At the US border — 3 requirements:
5. FMD Bath and Isolation. Because Brazil is not FMD-free, dogs must be bathed immediately upon arrival in the US and kept away from all livestock for at least 5 days.
6. Dog must be 6+ months old and appear healthy on arrival.
7. Enter at the airport matching the port listed on your CDC Dog Import Form receipt.
Cats
Cats have it much easier:
- Appear healthy. That's the main federal rule.
- No CDC import form. The form is dogs only.
- No microchip. No federal microchip rule for cats entering the US.
- No screwworm certificate. Screwworm rules apply to dogs, not cats.
- No Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination. This is a dog-only CDC form.
Check your state's rules. Many states need rabies vaccination for cats even though the federal government doesn't. Hawaii and Guam quarantine all cats.
For the full re-entry process, see our guide to returning to the USA with a pet.
Breed Restrictions
Brazil has no federal breed ban for imported pets.
Rio de Janeiro prohibits the import, sale, and breeding of pit bulls at the city level. If you're flying into Rio with a pit bull-type dog, check current local rules before booking.
Other Brazilian states and cities may have their own breed-specific rules. Check the specific city where you're traveling.
Health Advisory: Leishmaniasis
Brazil is in a leishmaniasis endemic zone. Sandflies transmit this parasitic disease, which affects dogs and — rarely — cats.
Talk to your vet about preventive measures before travel — options include topical repellents, deltamethrin-impregnated collars, and keeping your pet indoors during dusk and dawn when sandflies are most active.
There's no widely available vaccine for leishmaniasis in the US, but prevention is straightforward.
FAQ
Your next step: Call your airline and confirm they're currently accepting pets on your specific Brazil route — that's the single biggest variable in this trip. Then schedule the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination with a USDA-accredited vet if you're bringing a dog.
