What to know when exporting to Brazil? Here’s everything you’ll need.
- Carolina Bastos
- Oct 17
- 6 min read
As one of the world’s biggest economies and with one of the greatest populations, Brazil poses great potential for international trade, with growing demand for products and services of all kinds from all over the world. The country can also be considered an entryway to the Mercosur countries and South America as a whole, allowing possibilities of expansion to be crafted.
These and more cultural and commercial factors have attracted foreign investors and exporters alike in the last few years, in hopes of taking advantage of Brazil’s growing openness to multilateral trade and snatching parts of the Brazilian consumer market.
There are countless opportunities which can jumpstart periods of great growth, if you know how to approach the market. This should be done carefully, with strategic planning and knowledge of the country's market and cultural patterns, as well as the rules and norms established by the Brazilian government. Keep reading to find out how Domani International Consultancy can help you achieve your Brazilian goals!
What are the main opportunities when exporting to Brazil?
As one of the biggest economies in the world, Brazil is known for its primary exporter bases and its large consumer market, with a population of over 200 million people and increasingly urban demographic. There is, in the country, a high demand for imported goods, especially when it comes to sectors like electronics, fashion, cosmetics and luxury items, and a rising middle class with growing purchasing power. Moreover, Brazil has some structural issues that present a strong potential for foreign trade and a need for healthcare and medical equipment for its aging population. It is also interested in renewable energy solutions and smart infrastructure to enhance production, transportation, logistics and sanitation.
Brazil presents a growing demand for technology and innovation in different sectors, ranging from automation, AI, cybersecurity, software and agribusiness tech and biotechnology and sustainable inputs, as well as e-commerce solutions for its fast growing market.
Despite the challenges, Brazil is undertaking reforms to simplify importing processes and reduce bureaucracy, understanding the need for and inevitability of multilateral trade. As part of the Mercosur bloc, the country opens up access to other great South American markets, such as Argentina. Brazil has been opening up to cooperation with the European Union, the United States and Asian states, in an effort to create more pathways for its own products and bilateral trade with more countries, founding commerce chambers and multiplying trade missions.
Want to know more about what Brazil can do for your business? Speak with a Domani expert — click the button below!
What challenges to expect when entering the country?
Entering the Brazilian market may present many challenges for exporters. Brazil is known for having relatively restrictive views on importing, imposing both tariff and non-tariff barriers against imported goods which can amount to a high number of hidden costs that have come to be known in Portuguese as “Custo Brasil” — the Brazilian Cost. In 2020, the World Bank ranked Brazil 124th out of 190 countries for ease of doing business—down from 109th in 2019—despite several positive economic reforms.
Hence, exporters should be mindful of specific barriers when exporting to Brazil. However, with strategic planning and specialized support, businesses of all sizes can succeed in this market. Some of the key challenges when exporting to Brazil arise from its unpredictable economy and structural issues that may lead to logistical costs and delays.
Moreover, the Brazilian domestic tax system is complicated, with cascading taxes and tax disputes among states. It is important to develop a deep understanding on these costs and different applications so as not to increase total costs. Finally, Brazil’s regulatory system may be considered strict, requiring many products to undergo its own process of certification to meet uniquely Brazilian standards.
Despite these issues, Brazil continues to be a lucrative endeavor for exporters from all over the world, as long as they plan their journeys with certainty and within regulations.
Documents, logistics and regulations: the backbone of a successful operation
Brazil is part of the Mercosur economic bloc. As such, it has open access to markets on the bloc and unified tariffs on most imported products and services. Moreover, Mercosur establishes a common nomenclature for all products, based in the SH6 system, NCM. The identification serves as a customs tool for better understanding of both tariff and non-tariff barriers, as well as classification and specification along the logistical process.
It is imperative to note that customs clearance can only be made by a Brazilian company certified with an import permit — RADAR. Foreign companies may sell directly to Brazilian companies or establish a structure in Brazil. Therefore, foreign exporters will never be able to deliver Incoterm DDP, Delivery Duty Paid, to a Brazilian customer. EXW and DAP are authorized, but it is not advisable to go beyond CIF or CPT. Foreigners often may lose control over registrations to be made once the goods enter Brazil, known for its bureaucracy and delays on ports and customs. Committing to operational costs beyond the arrival of the goods is therefore very risky.
Compliance with the country’s unique regulatory standards is important. Public institutions regulate entrance in Brazil’s territory due to concerns with health, cosmetics, electronics, food and agriculture, so it is important to be aware of these and refer to any of them if needed. Institutions that may influence your operation include ANVISA, DECEX, IBAMA, INMETRO and MAPA.
There are two types of import licenses in Brazil: "automatic" and "non-automatic." For automatic licenses, a prior authorization is not required before the goods are shipped. An import declaration is presented during customs clearance. For non-automatic licenses, information about the importation must be submitted through the SISCOMEX electronic system before the goods are shipped. Brazilian authorities then analyze this information, and the goods can only be shipped after the import license is granted, which can take one to three weeks. Both the import license and the import declaration are required for customs clearance.
The customs clearance process in Brazil is the responsibility of the Brazilian importer and begins when the customs broker registers the Import Declaration (DI) through SISCOMEX. This can only happen after the goods have arrived and all necessary documents have been submitted. Taxes and import duties, with the exception of ICMS, are paid at the time of registration.
After registration, the goods are directed to one of four customs clearance channels:
Green Channel: Automatic clearance, with a proof of import issued and the goods released to the importer.
Yellow Channel: A detailed examination of the importation documents is performed.
Red Channel: Both the import documents and the physical goods are examined.
Grey Channel: An analysis of the customs value of the goods is performed in addition to the other examinations, which can take up to 120 days.
A new channel, the Blue Channel, is also being introduced, offering advantages such as priority warehousing and a higher chance of being directed to the Green Channel.
The process may be bureaucratic and complicated at first glance, and working with someone who knows and understands Brazil’s inner workings and regulations is imperative to ease worries and risks. Talk to one of our consultants to understand how these processes can be made easy for you!
Don’t miss out: Domani can help you
Domani International Consultancy will help you achieve the most out of your adventures doing business with Brazil. It will help you comply with any and all regulations, be aware of tariffs and taxes necessary to the operation and the best and most efficient ways to enter the market ideally and physically. Want to know more?
Bibliography
DOING BUSINESS. Rankings. Available at: https://archive.doingbusiness.org/en/rankings. Accessed on: 01 July 2025.
TRADE.GOV. Brazil – Country Commercial Guide. U.S. Department of Commerce, 2025. Available at: https://www.trade.gov/brazil-country-commercial-guide. Accessed on: 12 July 2025.
SHIPPING SOLUTIONS. Exporting to Brazil. Available at: https://www.shippingsolutions.com/blog/exporting-to-brazil. Accessed on: 25 July 2025.
NOVATRADE BRASIL. Everything you need to know before exporting to Brazil. Available at: https://www.novatradebrasil.com/en/everything-you-need-to-know-before-exporting-to-brazil/. Accessed on: 03 Aug. 2025.
GRUPO SERPA. Exportar para o Brasil. Available at: https://www.gruposerpa.com.br/exportar-brasil/. Accessed on: 22 Aug. 2025.
GOVERNO DO BRASIL. Como exportar para o Brasil. Ministério do Desenvolvimento, Indústria, Comércio e Serviços. Available at: https://www.gov.br/empresas-e-negocios/pt-br/invest-export-brasil/importar/como-exportar-para-o-brasil/como-exportar-para-o-brasil-1. Accessed on: 05 Sept. 2025.
Comments