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  Brazil, like most nations, has strong customs regulations to protect itself against disease, crime, ecological catastrophe and economic unbalance. However, any traveler with a modicum of common sense, in possession of neither nefarious intent nor bacterial samples, should be able to pass freely into and out of the country.
  
  

Import Declaration Requirements

• Brazilian customs requires you to declare the importation of animals, plants, food, weapons, ammunition, medicines and controlled substances, goods which exceed the amount of $500, and money in excess of $10,000 or the equivalent thereof. Temporary Admission of Goods can be granted in cases in which visitors to Brazil enter the country with one of the above items, but plan to leave the country with it. These rules apply to both Brazilian citizen and non-citizens.
  
  

Pets

• Brazilian customs allows the importation of most pets. For those wishing to enter Brazil with a pet such as a dog or cat, customs requires a health certificate attesting to the good health of the animal and stating that in the 40 days prior to the day of the trip, there were no contagious diseases occurring in the area. This certificate must be filled out by a veterinarian and stamped by the US Department of Agriculture. A record of all vaccines is also required. For parrots and parakeets, all of the above documents are required, as well as a USDA letter stating the bird is free of psittacosis. A Brazilian consulate must validate all forms before entering Brazil and within seven days of USDA issuance.
  
  

Prohibited Items

• Brazilian customs prohibits the import of a number of items. All fresh produce, plants, meat, eggs, fish and dairy products are banned unless specially authorized for importation by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture. The same stands for birds other than parrots and parakeets, insects, snails, bacteria, fungi, animal seed, soil, untreated wood, biochemical materials, semen, embryos and veterinary products. Firearms and ammunition, however, have a more flexible allowance. For further information on this, contact the Brazilian military attaché.
  
  

Disease

• Brazil requires yellow fever certificates for citizens of Angola, Bolivia, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo (Dem. Rep.), Ecuador, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Peru, Sierra Leone and Sudan. Brazilian customs and the World Health Organization highly recommend a yellow fever vaccination, as well as immunization against malaria, for those from non-tropical nations intending to visit Acre, Amap, Amazonas, Goiás, Maranhão, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará, Rondônia, Roraima, Tocantins, and certain areas of Minas Gerais, Parana and São Paulo.