Brazil

Specific Information

CPF number mandatory: A Brazilian CPF (tax ID) is mandatory for all shipments without exception. The CPF number must appear on the bill of lading. The address registered in the CPF must match the final destination of the shipment.

Visa must be stamped by Federal Police: Goods can only be imported after the visa is authorised by Brazilian authorities and the residence permit/visa is stamped in the passport by the Brazilian Federal Police.

Do not ship until "green light": The shipment should only be sent when all documents are complete and received by the destination agent, including the CPF number. Confirm receipt with the agent and wait for their explicit approval to ship.

Electrical/electronic items: Must be declared showing brand name, model, and serial number on the inventory and packing list.

Arrival deadline: Household goods must arrive within 180 days of the owner's arrival in Brazil. However, within 90 days is strongly preferred.

Owner presence: The client must be in Brazil at the time of customs clearance. The arrival airline ticket must be retained for presentation to customs.

Temporary admission (work visa holders): Goods are cleared under a bond and imported under temporary admission. All items must be re-exported when the client leaves Brazil.

Bond guarantee: When the suspended taxes for household goods exceed USD 45,000, the Receita Federal requires a security guarantee equivalent to the suspended taxes (including IPI, PIS, and COFINS). The guarantee is refunded when goods are re-exported before the work visa expires. Payment options: cash deposit at Caixa Economica Federal, customs insurance policy, or bank guarantee letter.

45-day rule for returning Brazilians: If a returning Brazilian citizen spent more than 45 cumulative days in Brazil in the year before their actual return with the move, they lose the tax exemption. This is a critical rule that catches many people.

Demurrage and port storage: All imports without exception, including diplomats, pay demurrage and port/airport storage charges. These are assessed on the CIF value within a period of 2 weeks of arrival.

Diplomats: Must be in Brazil before the shipment arrives. May import household appliances if owned for 6 months and appropriate to the rest of the shipment.

ISPM 15: Fumigation certificate required for all wood crates, boxes, liftvans, and containers.

Duties & Taxes

Duty-free conditions: Both new and used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty-free if for personal use. New items must be specifically declared as new and identified on the packing list. Undeclared new items discovered during customs inspection are subject to import duties and a fine.

Prohibited & Restricted Items

Importing a Used Personal Vehicle

Required Documents

• All household goods documentation listed above
• Vehicle title and registration from origin country
• Purchase invoice
• Technical specifications

Specific Information

Vehicle import is extremely restricted in Brazil. Import of personal vehicles by private individuals is subject to very high duties and complex regulations. Vehicles are generally not part of the standard household goods duty-free import.

Duties on vehicles: Import duties, IPI (industrial products tax), PIS/COFINS, and ICMS (state tax) can total 80-100%+ of the vehicle's CIF value. This makes importing a personal vehicle economically impractical in most cases.

Diplomatic exemption: Diplomats may import vehicles duty-free.

Driving: Driving is on the RIGHT-hand side of the road.

Pets

• **MAPA Import Permit via SISCOMEX** — Multiple 2026 sources (pet transport specialists) now confirm an import permit applied for through the SISCOMEX system is required for dogs and cats, contradicting the official MAPA PDF below (which still states no permit is necessary). This appears to be a regulatory change since the PDF's last update. Processing takes approximately 3-4 weeks and must be completed before the health certificate is finalised. Apply for the permit as soon as the move date is confirmed; do not wait for vaccinations to be completed first. Per the official MAPA document (gov.br):
• International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) / Pet Passport issued or endorsed by an Official Veterinarian from the country's Veterinary Authority (certificates signed only by a private veterinarian are NOT accepted; for US pets, the USDA/APHIS-endorsed health certificate is required) Per the official MAPA document (gov.br):
• Rabies vaccination certificate (for animals 90 days or older; approved by the Veterinary Authority) Per the official MAPA document (gov.br):
• Proof of broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites administered within 15 days prior to the CVI issuance date (with active ingredients identified) Per the official MAPA document (gov.br):
• Clinical examination within 10 days prior to the CVI issuance date confirming no clinical signs of infectious or parasitic disease and fitness for transport Per the official MAPA document (gov.br):

No import permit required for dogs and cats. Per the official MAPA document: "An Import Permit is not necessary for dogs and cats." All other pet species require an import permit from MAPA. Note: One 2026 pet transport company states that a MAPA import permit via SISCOMEX IS now required. This may reflect a recent policy change. Confirm with the destination agent before shipping.

No microchip required by Brazil. Per MAPA: "A pet microchip is not required to enter Brazil." However, an ISO 11784/11785 microchip is strongly recommended as it is required by most airlines and facilitates identification.

Rabies vaccination timing: Animals 90 days or older must have a rabies vaccination. If it is the first vaccination, travel must occur at least 21 days after the shot. Animals from OIE-designated rabies-free countries do not need to present proof of rabies vaccination (this must be noted on the CVI).

Animals under 3 months: May enter Brazil without rabies vaccination only if the Veterinary Authority certifies the animal was less than 90 days old at CVI issuance and has not been on any property with reported urban rabies cases in the last 90 days.

Parasite treatment: Broad-spectrum treatment against internal and external parasites must be administered within 15 days before the CVI issuance date. Products must be authorised by the Veterinary Authority and the active ingredients must be identified on the CVI.

CVI validity: 60 days from the date of issuance, as long as the rabies vaccination is still valid.

EU Pet Passport: The European Pet Passport is NOT valid for entry into Brazil.

Leishmaniosis: Brazil may not accept animals previously diagnosed with leishmaniosis.

VIGIAGRO inspection: Upon arrival, pets are inspected by VIGIAGRO officials. Ensure arrival is during business hours on a weekday when inspectors are on duty.

No quarantine: Brazil does not impose quarantine on dogs and cats meeting all requirements.

Banned breeds: Brazil does not have a federal banned breed list. Some municipalities may have restrictions.

Common mistakes: Submitting a health certificate signed only by a private vet (must be endorsed by the official government veterinary authority). Not having the parasite treatment within the 15-day window. Arriving outside VIGIAGRO business hours.