The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento) is the official contact for the import and export of animals; the website has up-to-date information. Prior approval for the import of any type of animal other than a pet cat or dog is required.
Note: pet travel laws can be affected by exceptional outbreaks of diseases. Recent examples are Avian Influenza (the H5N1 strain of bird flu) and Foot and Mouth Disease.
Ministry of Agriculture
Tel: (61) 3218 2828
e-mail
Website
Animals Allowed into Brazil
Cats and dogs may be brought into Brazil for non-commercial purposes. All other animals require an import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture in Brazil.
Entering Brazil With a Pet
To bring cats or dogs into Brazil (excluding for commercial purposes) the following documentation is required:
International Health Certificate for animals (Certificado Zoosanitãrio Internacional - CZI). The international health certificate is issued by a licenced veterinarian ten days before departure, and must show no disease present. The certificate must also confirm that no incidence of contagious disease has been detected in the place of origin up to forty days before departure. The certificate must be authenticated by the Brazilian Consulate in the animal's place of residence before departure
A certificate of vaccination against rabies for any animal over 90 days old (obtained 30 days before entry in the case of animals vaccinated for the first time). This must be valid for at least one year
Proof of owners full name and address including state and country
Documents showing the animals name, breed, gender, size, colour, coat and any other specific markings
Copies of all relevant documents for animals imported as cargo
Failure to comply with all requirements will result in the immediate return (at the owners cost) or destruction of the animal. Quarantine facilities do not exist when importing domestic animals.
The same requirements apply to guide dogs.
The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture website has up-to-date information on what to do when entering Brazil.
TRAVEL WITHIN BRAZIL FOR ANIMALS
It is equally complicated to travel within Brazil with your pets. Even taking your cat or dog on vacation (outside the city of origin) with you by car or moving to a different city with a pet requires special documentation. For travel purposes you must obtain a GTA - Guia Transito Animal from your vet and all the animal's vaccinations must be up to date. All domestic animals being transported require a GTA (including cats and dogs), wild animals kept as pets also require special authorization for tranport from IBAMA.