Brazil Import & Export Toolkit

Brazil's landed cost is famously complex: Import Duty (II) + IPI + PIS + COFINS + state ICMS, each with its own base. Use our calculators to price it accurately, plus NCM classification and LC math.

Currency

BRL (Brazilian Real)

ICMS (state) + PIS/COFINS (federal)

ICMS 17-19% (varies by state); PIS 2.1%; COFINS 9.65%

ICMS is gross-up calculated ("por dentro") so effective rate exceeds nominal. IPI applies to industrialised goods.

Duty regime

Import Duty (II) under the Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC), plus IPI (Federal Excise), PIS/COFINS-Importação and ICMS (state VAT). Ex-Tarifário reductions for capital goods without domestic production.

Regulatory deep-dive

Brazil import & export regulations →

Brazil trade rules: Receita Federal customs, SISCOMEX permits, Mercosur Common External Tariff, ANVISA/INMETRO product controls, tax reform.

Authorities · Licensing · Sanctions

Also see compare Brazil vs other markets →

Free calculators for Brazil trade

LC Cost Calculator →

All-in bank charges on a Letter of Credit.

Usance LC Interest →

Deferred payment cost with correct ACT/360 or ACT/365 basis.

Import Duty & Tax →

Duty, VAT/GST and landed cost per HS code.

Landed Cost by HS & Country →

Interactive duty + VAT/GST + Incoterm split for this destination.

CIF ↔ FOB Converter →

Convert between CIF, FOB and landed cost.

HS Code Lookup →

Search harmonised classification codes.

CBM & Container →

Volume, weight and container utilisation.

Incoterms 2020 Visualiser →

Cost, risk and document split across all 11 rules.

Multi-Currency Invoice →

FX spread and cross-currency invoice value.

Major ports & gateways

· Santos
· Paranaguá
· Itajaí
· Rio Grande
· Suape
· Pecém
· Manaus

Key trading partners· 6 linked toolkits

Top exports

· Iron ore
· Soybeans & soy meal
· Crude petroleum
· Sugar
· Beef & poultry
· Coffee
· Pulp & paper
· Corn

Top imports

· Refined petroleum & diesel
· Fertilisers (urea, potash)
· Vehicles & parts
· Electronics
· Pharmaceuticals
· Machinery
· Natural gas

Trade finance in Brazil

· The vast majority of Brazilian LCs are denominated in USD (ACT/360). BRL LCs are rare cross-border due to currency volatility.
· Major Brazilian banks (Itaú, Bradesco, Banco do Brasil, Santander Brasil) quote 0.25-0.40% per quarter for LC issuance; G7 confirmation typically 0.20-0.60% per quarter.
· IOF (Financial Transactions Tax) applies to FX conversions - 0.38% on most trade-related transactions; check the current rate before pricing.
· BNDES-Exim and Proex Financiamento offer subsidised export finance for capital goods and services.

Customs & duty in Brazil

· NCM: 8-digit Mercosur Nomenclature (HS 6 + 2 regional digits) shared with Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay.
· Siscomex is the integrated foreign trade system; DUIMP is the newer streamlined import declaration replacing DI.
· Landed cost stack: II on CIF; IPI on CIF + II; PIS/COFINS on CIF + II; ICMS on the grossed-up total.
· Non-automatic import licences (LI) needed for many regulated goods before shipment.

Incoterms 2020 practice in Brazil

· CFR / CIF Santos or Paranaguá is dominant for bulk agri and container cargo.
· DDP is impractical - the seller cannot easily be the ICMS taxpayer of record. Use DAP with the buyer clearing.
· For FOB terms, ensure the LC allows for Brazilian Bill of Lading endorsement rules (to order of shipper is standard).

HS commodity guides for Brazil

Classification, duty and worked landed-cost examples for the commodity families most active on Brazil's trade lanes.

HS 85Electronics

HS Code for Electronics (Chapter 85) →

HS 84Industrial

HS Code for Industrial Machinery (Chapter 84) →

HS 30Regulated

HS Code for Pharmaceuticals (Chapter 30) →

HS 72Metals

HS Code for Iron & Steel (Chapter 72) →

HS 0901Agricultural

HS Code for Coffee (HS 0901) →

HS 1006Agricultural

HS Code for Rice (HS 1006) →

HS 2709Energy

HS Code for Crude Oil (HS 2709) →

HS 2710Energy

HS Code for Petroleum Products (HS 2710) →

Brazil appears in the trade lanes for the commodities below. Each hub covers grades, specs, benchmark pricing and HS code references.

Sulphur →

Top importer

HS 2503

Brazil's key trading partners

China toolkit →

Import VAT · 13% standard, 9% reduced, 6% services

United States toolkit →

No federal VAT / GST · 0% federal

Germany toolkit →

VAT (Umsatzsteuer / Einfuhrumsatzsteuer) · 19% standard, 7% reduced

Netherlands toolkit →

BTW (VAT) · 21% standard, 9% reduced

India toolkit →

IGST on imports · 5% / 12% / 18% / 28%

United Arab Emirates toolkit →

VAT · 5% standard

Frequently asked questions

Why is Brazilian landed cost so much higher than duty rate suggests?

Because IPI, PIS, COFINS and ICMS all stack on cascading bases, and ICMS is calculated gross-of-itself ("por dentro"). A 10% duty line can easily add 40-60% total federal + state tax to CIF value.

Is Ex-Tarifário worth pursuing?

Yes for capital goods (BK) and IT/telecom (BIT) items without Mercosur production - it can zero-out II for a defined period. Application via CAMEX; typical approval 90-180 days.