Pet travel route
Taking a dog or cat from Hong Kong SAR China → Brazil
What the official rules ask for on this route, for a family pet travelling with its owner. Enter your travel date and your pet’s details to turn it into a dated checklist.
How early to start
3 weeks
if your pet has no microchip or rabies vaccination yet (the least time the official waiting periods allow)
No fixed wait
if it is already microchipped and vaccinated
Counted only from the officially fixed waiting periods. Vet, lab and paperwork appointment times are on top, so start earlier.
What your dog needs
Dogs
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Dogs and cats aged 90 days or older must arrive vaccinated against rabies, with a vaccine authorised by the vet authority of the country where it was given and still in date. After a first (primary) vaccination your pet may only leave 21 days or more after the shot; a pet whose vaccine lapsed before a booster counts as a first-time vaccinate again.
Details and the official words
Our age cut-off is 3 calendar months at arrival (Brazil says 90 days). If your pet is close to 90 days old, ask VIGIAGRO.
The 21-day wait only applies after a first (or lapsed) vaccination; the engine shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
If this is missed: The animal can be refused, returned or held (Art. 18), at the owner's cost.
“Todos os animais a partir de noventa (90) dias de idade devem ingressar vacinados contra a raiva, tendo sido utilizadas, no país de sua aplicação, vacinas autorizadas pela autoridade veterinária, que devem estar dentro do seu período de vigência.”
“o embarque pelo país exportador deve ser autorizado uma vez transcorridos vinte e um (21) dias da aplicação da referida vacina.”
Treatment
Treatment against internal and external parasites
A broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by the exporting country's authority and following the maker's instructions, within the 15 days before the CVI is issued. It is recorded on the CVI.
Details and the official words
“no prazo de quinze (15) dias antes da data de emissão do CVI, a um tratamento de amplo espectro contra parasitos internos e externos”
Vet exam
Clinical examination by a vet
A registered vet in the exporting country examines your pet within the 10 days before the CVI is issued and certifies that it shows no signs of infectious or parasitic disease and is fit to travel.
Details and the official words
“no prazo de dez (10) dias anteriores à data de emissão do CVI, a um exame clínico realizado por um médico veterinário registrado no país exportador”
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)
The original CVI, issued by the exporting country's veterinary authority, using the model the Brazilian ministry requires (mandatory since 6 September 2025). It is valid for 60 days from issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid on arrival. Keep the original: border staff must not keep it.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
If this is missed: The animal can be refused, returned or held (Art. 18), at the owner's cost.
“Para o ingresso de cães e gatos é necessário apresentar Certificado Veterinário Internacional (CVI) ou Passaporte oficial emitido por Autoridade Veterinária do país de origem atendendo aos requisitos sanitários do Brasil.”
“Os animais devem ingressar, retornar, transitar ou circular pelos Estados Partes amparados pelo Certificado Veterinário Internacional (CVI) original, emitido pela autoridade veterinária do país exportador”
“O CVI é válido para o ingresso, retorno, trânsito ou circulação entre os Estados Partes por um período de sessenta (60) dias corridos, contados a partir da data de sua emissão, sempre que a certificação de vacinação contra a raiva se encontre vigente.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Countries or zones officially free of rabies (per WOAH) can be exempt from the rabies vaccination, but only if Brazil has recognised that status beforehand and the CVI states it. We don't hold Brazil's list of recognised countries, so we ask for the vaccination from every pet aged 90 days or older. If you come from a rabies-free country, ask MAPA/VIGIAGRO whether the exemption applies.
- Brazil may refuse entry to an animal that has previously been diagnosed with leishmaniasis.
- The Portaria does not make a microchip compulsory in itself, but if your pet has an electronic chip it must follow ISO 11784 and/or ISO 11785, and the CVI must say where on the body it sits. Check with VIGIAGRO whether your port of entry expects one.
- A pet that arrives without meeting the rules can be refused, sent back to where it came from, held, or otherwise dealt with by the Brazilian veterinary authority, and all costs fall on the owner.
- Brazil may also accept an official pet passport in place of the CVI, if it carries all the data the CVI asks for and is valid in the country that issued it. The CVI is the safe choice.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
What your cat needs
Cats
Vaccination
Rabies vaccination
Dogs and cats aged 90 days or older must arrive vaccinated against rabies, with a vaccine authorised by the vet authority of the country where it was given and still in date. After a first (primary) vaccination your pet may only leave 21 days or more after the shot; a pet whose vaccine lapsed before a booster counts as a first-time vaccinate again.
Details and the official words
Our age cut-off is 3 calendar months at arrival (Brazil says 90 days). If your pet is close to 90 days old, ask VIGIAGRO.
The 21-day wait only applies after a first (or lapsed) vaccination; the engine shows it for every vaccine date, so a pet with an in-date booster can ignore it.
If this is missed: The animal can be refused, returned or held (Art. 18), at the owner's cost.
“Todos os animais a partir de noventa (90) dias de idade devem ingressar vacinados contra a raiva, tendo sido utilizadas, no país de sua aplicação, vacinas autorizadas pela autoridade veterinária, que devem estar dentro do seu período de vigência.”
“o embarque pelo país exportador deve ser autorizado uma vez transcorridos vinte e um (21) dias da aplicação da referida vacina.”
Treatment
Treatment against internal and external parasites
A broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites, with a product approved by the exporting country's authority and following the maker's instructions, within the 15 days before the CVI is issued. It is recorded on the CVI.
Details and the official words
“no prazo de quinze (15) dias antes da data de emissão do CVI, a um tratamento de amplo espectro contra parasitos internos e externos”
Vet exam
Clinical examination by a vet
A registered vet in the exporting country examines your pet within the 10 days before the CVI is issued and certifies that it shows no signs of infectious or parasitic disease and is fit to travel.
Details and the official words
“no prazo de dez (10) dias anteriores à data de emissão do CVI, a um exame clínico realizado por um médico veterinário registrado no país exportador”
Paperwork
International Veterinary Certificate (CVI)
The original CVI, issued by the exporting country's veterinary authority, using the model the Brazilian ministry requires (mandatory since 6 September 2025). It is valid for 60 days from issue, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid on arrival. Keep the original: border staff must not keep it.
Details and the official words
AFCD endorsement or certification of the health certificate: If the destination needs an official stamp: take the completed health certificate from a registered vet (normally issued within 10 days before departure, or as the destination specifies), vaccination records, dog licence (dogs only), any import permit and other original documents to AFCD in person. Endorsement or certification is ready the next working day (same session: morning applications the next morning, afternoon the next afternoon).
AFCD's certificate is valid for 10 days from issue in general, but the destination's rules decide.
If this is missed: The animal can be refused, returned or held (Art. 18), at the owner's cost.
“Para o ingresso de cães e gatos é necessário apresentar Certificado Veterinário Internacional (CVI) ou Passaporte oficial emitido por Autoridade Veterinária do país de origem atendendo aos requisitos sanitários do Brasil.”
“Os animais devem ingressar, retornar, transitar ou circular pelos Estados Partes amparados pelo Certificado Veterinário Internacional (CVI) original, emitido pela autoridade veterinária do país exportador”
“O CVI é válido para o ingresso, retorno, trânsito ou circulação entre os Estados Partes por um período de sessenta (60) dias corridos, contados a partir da data de sua emissão, sempre que a certificação de vacinação contra a raiva se encontre vigente.”
“normally issued within 10 days prior to departure, or as specified by the destination country/place”
“Official Endorsement/Official Certification of Information on an Animal Health Certificate: one working day.”
Only in some cases
Vet exam · only in some cases
AFCD official veterinary examination (only if the destination requires it)
If the destination specifically requires an Official Veterinary Examination, apply for an Official Animal Health Certificate instead: bring your pet to AFCD, where a Government Veterinary Officer inspects it before issuing the certificate (ready in two working days). Book an appointment on 2150 7062 at least 10 working days before the inspection.
Details and the official words
“You must make an appointment at least 10 working days prior to the expected date of inspection.”
Good to know
- Countries or zones officially free of rabies (per WOAH) can be exempt from the rabies vaccination, but only if Brazil has recognised that status beforehand and the CVI states it. We don't hold Brazil's list of recognised countries, so we ask for the vaccination from every pet aged 90 days or older. If you come from a rabies-free country, ask MAPA/VIGIAGRO whether the exemption applies.
- Brazil may refuse entry to an animal that has previously been diagnosed with leishmaniasis.
- The Portaria does not make a microchip compulsory in itself, but if your pet has an electronic chip it must follow ISO 11784 and/or ISO 11785, and the CVI must say where on the body it sits. Check with VIGIAGRO whether your port of entry expects one.
- A pet that arrives without meeting the rules can be refused, sent back to where it came from, held, or otherwise dealt with by the Brazilian veterinary authority, and all costs fall on the owner.
- Brazil may also accept an official pet passport in place of the CVI, if it carries all the data the CVI asks for and is valid in the country that issued it. The CVI is the safe choice.
- AFCD tells you to contact the destination's government authority and your airline or shipping company for the import requirements; you may also need an import permit or licence from the destination.
- Will your pet come back to Hong Kong? Certain steps must be completed before export, so check AFCD's guidance for returning pets first.
- Bengal and Savannah cats (and crosses) need documents showing they are 5th generation or later of domestic ancestry and not controlled under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, Cap. 586.
- AFCD applications are made in person at the Certification Desk (Counter No. 9), 5th Floor, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, Monday to Friday (closed weekends and public holidays). Fees are paid when you apply.
Common questions
Does my dog need a rabies blood test to go from Hong Kong SAR China to Brazil?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for a rabies blood test.
Do I need an import permit to bring my dog into Brazil?
No. The official rules we have verified for this route don't ask for an import permit.
Will my dog be quarantined in Brazil?
Not on the routes we have verified: the official rules list no quarantine for a pet that meets the requirements.
Does my dog need a microchip?
The official rules we have verified for this route don't list a microchip requirement.