Taking a Dog to Brazil from the UK in 2026: Everything you need to know

Travelling to Brazil with your dog from the UK is absolutely possible, but it requires careful planning, correct timing, and specialist paperwork. Brazil is a non-EU country with its own import rules, and mistakes can result in delays, refusal at the border, or your dog being held on arrival.

At PassPets, we regularly help owners prepare dogs for travel to Brazil and issue the official Export Health Certificate (EHC) required for entry. Below is a clear, step-by-step overview of what’s involved.

Step 1: Check Your Dog Is Eligible to Travel to Brazil

Before anything else, it’s important to check that your dog is eligible for import.

Brazil does not permit the import of dogs that have ever been diagnosed with Leishmania. There is no official nationwide banned breed list, but some Brazilian states or municipalities may apply local breed restrictions, so this should be checked in advance.

There is no official pet limit imposed by Brazilian authorities, but airlines often restrict travel to one pet per passenger, so airline rules must also be considered early.

Step 2: Microchip Requirements

Your dog must be microchipped with a 15-digit, ISO-compliant microchip.

The microchip must:

• Be implanted before the rabies vaccination used for travel

• Match all documentation exactly

• Be readable at the final certification appointment

Any discrepancies between the microchip and paperwork can invalidate the certificate.

Step 3: Rabies Vaccination Rules

Brazil requires a valid rabies vaccination, administered more than 21 days before the Export Health Certificate appointment date (not the travel date).

Key points owners often miss:

• The rabies vaccination must still be valid at the time of travel

• The vaccination must be administered in line with the manufacturer’s guidelines

• The rabies vaccination certificate must clearly show:

  • Microchip number

  • Date of vaccination

  • Validity period

  • Vaccine brand and batch number

Brazil accepts long-validity rabies vaccines (including three-year vaccines), provided they remain valid.

Step 4: Plan Your Travel Route Carefully

Before booking your certification appointment, you should confirm:

• Your intended date of arrival in Brazil

• Your full flight route, including any transit countries

Even if you do not leave the airport, additional certificates may be required depending on the route taken. For example, dogs transiting through EU countries often require an EU Animal Health Certificate in addition to the Brazilian Export Health Certificate.

This is one of the most common areas where owners are caught out.

Step 5: Export Health Certificate (EHC) for Brazil

Dogs travelling to Brazil from the UK must have a Brazilian Export Health Certificate (EHC 2906) issued by an Official Veterinarian (OV).

Important timing rules:

• The EHC appointment must take place less than 10 days from your arrival date in Brazil

• The appointment date is classed as day 0

• If travelling on day 10, owners should confirm this timing is acceptable with the Brazilian authorities

At your EHC appointment with PassPets, we will:

• Perform a full clinical examination

• Check the microchip

• Review rabies documentation and clinical history

• Administer or verify parasite treatment

• Issue the completed Export Health Certificate (assuming all requirements are met)

Appointments are available at our Havant, Bristol and New Malden clinics.

Step 6: Internal and External Parasite Treatment

Dogs travelling to Brazil must receive both internal and external parasite treatment within 15 days of departure.

Parasite treatment must:

• Be administered by a vet

• Use licensed, broad-spectrum products

In most cases, we administer and certify parasite treatment at the EHC appointment. If your dog weighs under 3kg or has previously reacted to parasite treatments, alternative arrangements may be required.

Step 7: Airline Requirements & Fit to Fly Certificates

Airlines apply their own rules in addition to government requirements.

You must check directly with your airline whether:

• A Fit to Fly certificate is required

• There are restrictions on brachycephalic breeds

• Specific crate or handling rules apply

If a Fit to Fly certificate is required, we can issue this alongside the EHC.

Step 8: Transit Countries

If your journey involves transiting through other countries, additional certification may be required, even where you do not leave the airport.

This may include:

• An EU Animal Health Certificate

• Another Export Health Certificate

• Country-specific documentation

You should always check with:

• The airline

• The authorities of the transit country

• The Brazilian importing authorities

Where possible, we can issue additional certificates at the same appointment if planned in advance.

Step 9: Returning to the UK (If Applicable)

If you plan to return to the UK with your dog, additional steps are usually required.

This typically includes:

• A rabies blood test (rabies serology)

• Testing at a government-approved laboratory

• A waiting period before re-entry to the UK

UK re-entry rules are strict, so this should be considered early in the planning process.

How PassPets Can Help

Preparing a dog for travel to Brazil involves strict timing rules, precise documentation and coordination between vets, airlines and authorities.

At PassPets, we:

• Regularly issue Export Health Certificates for Brazil

• Review documentation in advance to avoid last-minute issues

• Advise on transit routes and additional certification

• Carry out the final OV examination and certification

If you’re planning to take your dog to Brazil and would like specialist guidance or to book an Export Health Certificate appointment, get in touch with our team and we’ll be happy to help.

Contact PassPets to discuss your dog’s travel plans to Brazil

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