Export Documentation

Export Documentation for Brazil: Required Documents

Documents for shipping to or from Brazil: core documents, certificates, restricted goods, and customs procedures.

Country
Brazil
Customs authority
Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue)
Trading bloc
Mercosur
Currency
BRL
Estimated clearance
5-15 business days typical, varies by channel

RADAR registration required for importers

Siscomex electronic system mandatory

ANVISA approval for health-related products

INMETRO certification for regulated products

Core documents

  • Commercial Invoice (required): Portuguese helpful, detailed values
  • Packing List (required): Detailed package information
  • Bill of Lading / Air Waybill (required): Transport document
  • Import Declaration (DI) (required): Filed via Siscomex
  • RADAR Authorization (required): Importer registration certificate

Additional documents

  • Certificate of Origin: For Mercosur/FTA benefits
  • INMETRO Certificate: For regulated products Conformity assessment required
  • ANVISA License: For health products Registration required before import
  • MAPA Permit: For agricultural products
  • IBAMA License: For environmental products

Special certificates

  • INMETRO Certification: applies to Electrical, toys, automotive parts, issued by INMETRO accredited bodies.
  • ANVISA Registration: applies to Health products, food, issued by ANVISA.
  • MAPA License: applies to Agricultural products, issued by MAPA.
  • ANATEL Homologation: applies to Telecom equipment, issued by ANATEL.

Customs procedures

  • Siscomex electronic declaration mandatory
  • Parametric (risk-based) channel selection
  • Four channels: Green, Yellow, Red, Grey
  • ICMS state tax at destination

Restricted goods

  • Pharmaceuticals (ANVISA)
  • Cosmetics (ANVISA)
  • Food products (ANVISA/MAPA)
  • Medical devices (ANVISA)
  • Chemicals (IBAMA)

Prohibited goods

  • Used consumer goods
  • Counterfeit products
  • Narcotics
  • Products violating IP rights
  • Certain used automotive parts

Tips

  • RADAR registration is essential and takes time
  • Brazil has one of the world's most complex import systems
  • Factor in high import duties and cascading taxes
  • ANVISA registration can take 12+ months - plan ahead
  • Consider bonded warehouse (EADI) for flexibility

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Frequently asked questions

What is RADAR and why is it important?

RADAR (Registro e Rastreamento da Atuação dos Intervenientes Aduaneiros) is mandatory registration for importing into Brazil. It tracks import activities and sets import volume limits based on company capacity.

What are the color channels in Brazilian customs?

Green = automatic release, Yellow = document examination, Red = physical inspection + documents, Grey = special investigation. Higher risk shipments get selected for stricter channels.

Why is importing to Brazil so expensive?

Brazil has high import duties plus cascading taxes (II, IPI, PIS, COFINS, ICMS) that can total 60-100%+ of product value. Administrative costs and bureaucracy add to total landed cost.