Importing goods to Brazil requires precise preparation and in-depth knowledge of the applicable customs regulations. As part of a multilateral economic area, Brazil relies on complex regulations and digital procedures, compliance with which is essential for smooth supply chains.

In addition to national customs law and SISCOMEX, systems such as DUIMP and special regulations such as the Ex-Tarifário play a central role in strategic planning. In this article, you will receive a well-founded overview of the current customs regulations for Brazil - including requirements, processes and potential for efficient market development.

• Customs compliance starts with the right preparation in the SISCOMEX system: For legally valid imports, companies in Brazil must be registered in the SISCOMEX digital customs system, obtain product-specific authorisations and use the correct NCM code. This is the only way to ensure compliant customs clearance.

• The ex-tarifário regime offers customs advantages for capital goods that are not available locally: Under certain conditions, companies can reduce import duties to 0 per cent if it can be proven that the goods are not produced in Brazil. The procedure can reduce costs and make investments easier to plan.

• Digitisation of customs processes by DUIMP increases efficiency and transparency: The gradual introduction of the DUIMP system simplifies import declarations, speeds up authorisations and reduces manual intervention. For exporters, this means more structured processes, a lower risk of errors and greater planning security in the Brazilian business.

What are the basic customs regulations in Brazil?

Imports to Brazil are defined by a multi-level system of international and national regulations. As a member of Mercosur, Brazil utilises the common external customs tariff (TEC). This forms the tariff basis for cross-border trade in goods within the alliance with Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay.

This system is supplemented by comprehensive Brazilian customs law. In particular, it takes into account regulations from tax, trade and foreign trade law. Goods are classified on the basis of the Harmonised System (HS Code), which ensures standardised product classification.

The SISCOMEX digital system controls the entire customs clearance process. It bundles the declaration, document verification and release processes, thereby ensuring transparency and traceability. Legally compliant import is not possible without an entry in SISCOMEX.

The following requirements must be met for compliant import processing:

• Registration as an importer in SISCOMEX
• Verification of product-specific authorisations
• Classification in the correct tax and customs tariff number
• Adherence to applicable import controls and compliance requirements

Companies that plan these structures at an early stage create the basis for reliable market access in Brazil.

How does the import process actually work?

Import processing begins with the mandatory registration with the Brazilian Ministry of Finance (Receita Federal) and registration in the electronic import system SISCOMEX. Without this step, legally secure access to the import procedure is not possible.

The product-specific categorisation is then carried out using the Brazilian NCM code. This is similar in structure and function to the international HS code and is decisive for tax classification, customs calculation and the question of whether additional official authorisations are required.

Depending on the type of product and country of origin, prior authorisation may be required. The health authority ANVISA is often responsible for pharmaceutical products, while the environmental authority IBAMA is responsible for environmental goods.

Once the documents have been submitted, the customs authority checks the consignment and assigns it to a control channel. The check is carried out according to a four-stage system:

• Green: automatic release
• Yellow: Document check
• Red: Document and physical inspection
• Grey: complete inspection incl. valuation

This categorisation significantly influences the speed of the import process. The goods are only released and integrated into the Brazilian economic cycle after a positive assessment and the timely payment of all import taxes.

The ex-Tarifário reform package in detail

For technology imports that are not available locally, the ex-tarifário regime offers a clear approach to reducing customs duties. Capital goods and IT products that are demonstrably not manufactured in Brazil are subject to a tariff reduction to 0 per cent.

With this regulation, the Brazilian government is pursuing the goal of closing technological gaps in a targeted manner. The measure promotes access to modern means of production, strengthens competitiveness and supports the long-term promotion of industry.

The reform package is currently valid until 31 December 2025, with a possible extension until the end of 2028 at the latest, subject to an overall economic assessment by the responsible ministries.

The savings potential is considerable, as Mercosur tariffs of between 14 and 16 per cent normally apply to the affected product groups. Products in chapters 84, 85 and 90, such as machine tools, electronic assemblies and optical testing equipment, are particularly affected.

The CAMEX foreign trade committee publishes amendments to the scope of regulation by individual resolution. The last amendments were made in September 2025 as part of resolutions GECEX 792, 793 and 794.

What are the requirements for using the Ex-Tarifário?

Applications can only be submitted by Brazilian companies and industry associations. The prerequisite is sound customs evidence that the product in question is not manufactured industrially in Brazil or offered in an equivalent form.

The application is submitted directly to the Ministry of Development, Industry and Commerce (MDIC) and is made in consultation with the foreign trade advisory board CAMEX. Precise documentation is required, which must fulfil the following criteria:

• The product is a capital good and is decisive for the planned use in Germany
• Comparable products are demonstrably not available on the Brazilian market
• The information is technically sound, comprehensible and fully documented

These requirements are deliberately narrowly defined to ensure that only targeted investment projects benefit from the customs concessions. For companies with long-term capital requirements, submitting an application can significantly optimise both cost structures and the timing of investments.

Which products are excluded from duty relief?

Resolution GECEX 512 of 16 August 2023 clearly defines the limits of the ex-tarifário regime: consumer goods and used goods are excluded from tariff concessions regardless of type or origin.

These exclusion criteria follow a clear economic policy objective. The focus is on the promotion of modern industrial technologies, not the import of everyday consumer goods. The underlying product classification is therefore based on their strategic relevance for Brazil as a business location.

• Consumer goods of all kinds are explicitly excluded
• Second-hand goods are also not covered by the regime
• The decisive factor is the contribution to industrial value creation

The focus is on capital goods that contribute to technological renewal in the long term. This creates a targeted economic stimulus with a view to efficiency, competitiveness and sustainable economic development in Brazil.

Digital import processing with DUIMP: What will change operationally?

DUIMP is gradually replacing the previous LI and DI import forms. By the end of 2025, there will be a complete switch to digital customs declarations via the national system for foreign trade. This will create an end-to-end standardised process that bundles and automates all import formalities in one place.

The centrepiece is the Único portal, which coordinates the approval processes of various authorities and manages advance approvals centrally. Instead of waiting for manual approvals, checks are supported digitally and processes along the supply chain are networked. Media disruptions are largely eliminated and data management is consistent and system-supported.

The effects on operational practice are clearly noticeable:

• Accelerated processing through automated authorisation processes
• Greater transparency through digital status tracking
• Reduced risk of errors thanks to centralised data maintenance
• Increasing process efficiency along the entire supply chain

For companies, this means more planning security, stable processes and better controllability of import processes in Brazilian foreign trade.

Customs clearance by sea freight to Brazil

In Brazil, speedy customs clearance in maritime transport depends largely on the completeness and consistency of the transport documents submitted. All information must be consistent with the electronic customs system SISCOMEX. The following documents in particular are a prerequisite for compliant processing:

• Bill of Lading
• Commercial invoice
• Proof of origin

Delays often occur when these documents are transmitted incompletely or inconsistently. Brazil's largest seaports, Santos and Rio de Janeiro, have modernised port handling with automated systems. Digital interfaces and standardised processes reduce manual intervention and increase efficiency.

Alongside the technical infrastructure, harmonised freight forwarder coordination is crucial. Close cooperation between the freight forwarder, importer and customs agent supports seamless document management and improves connectivity along the supply chain.

Such integrative planning strengthens compliance with customs regulations for Brazil and creates operational security. As a result, companies benefit from reliable processes and increased predictability in the international movement of goods.

Logistics and forwarding solutions with customs expertise

Customs coordination must be integrated into the overall transport management process at an early stage to ensure that international shipments to Brazil are economically secure. Only in conjunction with warehouse logistics, on-carriage and document management can downtimes be avoided and processes stabilised.

Freight forwarding concepts require precise risk management that systematically takes regulatory peculiarities into account. In addition to correct product pricing, authorisation requirements in particular are crucial. To avoid delays, processes must be set up in such a way that incorrect declarations do not occur.

A functioning risk management system includes, among other things

• Early review of authorisation requirements with authorities such as ANVISA or IBAMA
• System-supported control of all submission deadlines and processes
• Technically integrated interfaces for seamless customs transmission

Individual approaches in the Shipping to Brazil combine market understanding, customs coordination and transport management into a resilient overall concept. Dörrenhaus plans on the basis of clear processes - customised to your supply chains.

Risks and challenges in the Brazilian customs system

Unclear responsibilities, manual checking procedures and inconsistent documents often prolong processing times. These delays put a strain on operational processes and make coordination along the supply chain more difficult. For time-critical products in particular, such process disruptions have a noticeable impact on the cost structure and adherence to delivery dates.

Incorrect product classifications, missing evidence or deviating declarations regularly lead to compliance problems. In addition to additional inspection steps, this results in authorisation risks, which in an emergency can lead to import stops or reversals. Affected companies have to reckon with considerable follow-up costs and fall behind schedule.

Those who operate without Portuguese-speaking contacts or regional market knowledge easily underestimate the scope of local requirements. Bureaucratic hurdles are not only characterised by language, but are also systemically complex. Access to experienced partners with specific expertise in the Brazilian customs system minimises such operational risks in the long term and increases the controllability of the import process.

A strategy for market success: customs compliance as a competitive advantage

Those who plan and implement customs-compliant processes create the conditions for stable delivery capability and reliable market access to Brazil. Legally compliant processes minimise delays, reduce coordination efforts with authorities and increase the controllability of supply chains.

Special regulations such as the ex-tarifário procedure can be specifically integrated into the export strategy. Reducing the import duty to zero percent for selected capital goods relieves budgets and opens up sustainable scope for cost optimisation. These simplifications enable structured investment planning, especially for projects that require planning.

In order to remain competitive in the long term, customs strategies should be regularly adapted. A differentiated focus is crucial to success:

• Product types and their regulatory requirements
• Import volume in relation to scaling potential
• Changes in the foreign trade environment

A robust customs concept thus contributes to predictability and lays the foundation for sustainable market success in Brazil.

Practical solutions: How Dörrenhaus supports customs clearance

Reliable customs clearance is one of the key process risks in foreign trade with Brazil. Dörrenhaus acts here as an experienced logistics partner with a clear specialisation in Brazil's customs regulations and supports companies along the entire route - from conception to final release.

The aim is to develop customised solution packages for sea, air or combined transport. Regulatory challenges are mapped in a structured manner and clarified at an early stage. The coordinated export support creates legal certainty, minimises frictional losses and improves controllable time processes.

The basis for this is a strategically aligned customs strategy that closely interlinks technical interfaces, authorisation requirements and processes. This ensures consistent compliance with the applicable customs regulations in Brazil, even with complex declaration procedures.

Operational implementation includes, among other things:

• Application for import licences and advance authorisations
• Coordination of transport routes with customs reference
• Digital document review and timely submission

With over five decades of experience, Dörrenhaus realises the precise Import and export to Brazil - with transparent structures, defined responsibilities and technical depth. This complete solution ensures resilient processes in a highly regulated environment and helps you to utilise market opportunities in a predictable manner.

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Frequently asked questions about customs regulations for Brazil

What are the requirements for importing to Brazil?

Registration in the SISCOMEX digital system is mandatory for legally compliant imports to Brazil. In addition, the importing company must have the necessary product-specific licences and carry out the correct classification according to the Brazilian NCM code. Compliance with all relevant import controls and tax regulations is also essential. Delays and risks in the import process can only be avoided if these basic requirements are met.

How does the ex-tarifário procedure for duty reduction work?

The Ex-Tarifário regime offers Brazilian companies the opportunity to reduce import duties to 0 per cent for capital goods and IT products that are not manufactured domestically. The application must be submitted to the Brazilian Ministry of Development (MDIC) and requires a technical justification including a market analysis. A successful procedure can significantly reduce import costs and strengthen competitiveness in the long term - especially for technology-intensive investments.

What role does DUIMP play in Brazilian customs clearance?

DUIMP (Declaração Única de Importação) will gradually replace the previous LI and DI forms by the end of 2025. It centralises all import formalities in the „Portal Único“ and enables end-to-end digital processing. The most important advantages: accelerated authorisation procedures, seamless communication with authorities and digitally supported status tracking. As a result, companies gain significant efficiency, transparency and planning security in foreign trade with Brazil.

Which documents are required for sea freight customs clearance?

Three central documents are required for smooth customs clearance by sea freight in Brazil: bill of lading, commercial invoice and proof of origin. The content of these documents must be complete and match the information in the SISCOMEX system. Deviations or ambiguities often lead to delays in the approval process. Complete documentation is therefore essential for efficient processes in maritime import logistics.

Which products are excluded from the Ex-Tarifário?

According to GECEX Resolution 512, consumer goods and second-hand goods are excluded from the ex-tarifário procedure - regardless of product type or country of origin. The focus is clearly on new capital goods that contribute to Brazil's industrial modernisation. The aim is to provide targeted economic support and not blanket preferential tariff treatment. Companies should take this into account when planning their purchases and investment strategy.