# Brazil (BR)

**Capital:** Brasilia  
**Currency:** Brazilian Real (BRL) (BRL)  
**Population:** 213,400,000 — Older stored figure; source year not documented.  
**Area:** 8,515,767 km²

> Brazil is South America's largest market and logistics hub and a global exporter of soybeans, iron ore, sugar, meat and oil. The port of Santos is Latin America's largest container port, and GRU São Paulo is the most important air cargo gateway. Imports are demanding due to the Unico Siscomex portal, high duties and licensing requirements; used consumer goods are prohibited. With the tax reform (CBS/IBS from 2026) and the provisional EU-Mercosur agreement, the trade environment is changing noticeably.

Brazil (BR) is South America's largest market and its most important agricultural and commodity export hub, with around 7,500 km of Atlantic coastline. The country is a founding member of Mercosur; imports are processed electronically through the Portal Único Siscomex (Habilitação/Radar registration required). In addition to import duty II (0 to 35 percent), IPI, PIS/COFINS and the state-level ICMS (around 17 to 19 percent) apply; from 2026 the tax reform gradually introduces CBS and IBS. The main gateways are the port of Santos (Latin America's largest container port), Paranaguá for bulk cargo, plus Itajaí/Navegantes, Rio de Janeiro and Suape; in air freight, São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU) and Viracopos-Campinas (VCP) lead. Inland, the BR-116 and BR-101 corridors and the BR-163 soy corridor connect the regions, complemented by rail lines such as Carajás and Norte-Sul and the Amazon/Madeira waterways. Key exports are crude oil, soybeans, iron ore, sugar and meat; the most important partners are China, the US, Argentina and the EU — the EU-Mercosur agreement has been provisionally applied since May 2026.

**Top Import Partners:** CN, US, DE, AR, IN

**Top Export Partners:** CN, US, AR, NL, ES

**Top Import Goods:** Machinery, Mineral oils, Electronics, Vehicles, Chemicals

**Top Export Goods:** Crude oil, Soybeans, Iron ore, Sugar, Petroleum products

**Key Airports:**
- [Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/deputado-luiz-eduardo-magalhaes-international-airport-ssa)
- [Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/eduardo-gomes-international-airport-mao)
- [Eurico de Aguiar Salles Airport (VIX)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/eurico-de-aguiar-salles-airport-vix)
- [Guarulhos - Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport (GRU)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/guarulhos-governador-andre-franco-montoro-international-airport-gru)
- [Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/hercilio-luz-international-airport-fln)
- [Pinto Martins International Airport (FOR)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/pinto-martins-international-airport-for)
- [Porto Seguro Airport (BPS)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/porto-seguro-airport-bps)
- [Presidente Juscelino Kubitschek International Airport (BSB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/presidente-juscelino-kubitschek-international-airport-bsb)
- [Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport (GIG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/rio-galeao-tom-jobim-international-airport-gig)
- [Tancredo Neves International Airport (CNF)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/airports/tancredo-neves-international-airport-cnf)

**Key Seaports:**
- [Rio De Janeiro (BR RIO)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/rio-de-janeiro-port-br-rio)
- [Rio Grande (BRRIG)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/rio-grande-port-brrig)
- [Santos (BR SSZ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/santos-port-br-ssz)
- [Tubarao (BR TUB)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/tubarao-port-br-tub)
- [Belem (BR BEL)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/belem-port-br-bel)
- [Dtse / Gegua Oil Terminal](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/dtse-gegua-oil-terminal-port-9)
- [Itajai (BR ITJ)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/itajai-port-br-itj)
- [Port De Salvador (BR SSA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/port-de-salvador-port-br-ssa)
- [Porto Alegre (BR POA)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/porto-alegre-port-br-poa)
- [Recife (BR REC)](https://www.freight-academy.com/en/information/seaports/recife-port-br-rec)

## Customs & Import

**Import VAT:** Value added tax ICMS levied at state level (around 17 to 19 percent), in addition to PIS/COFINS. The tax reform introduces CBS and IBS step by step from 2026.  
**Customs complexity:** High  
**Customs system:** Imports are processed through the Portal Unico Siscomex; Habilitação (Radar) and a digital certificate are required. Import tax II 0 to 35 percent, plus IPI, PIS/COFINS and ICMS.  
**Customs authority:** [Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB)](https://www.gov.br/receitafederal)

## Logistics & Risk

**Logistics role:** Agricultural and raw materials export hub of South America  
**Economic area:** Mercosur  
**Logistics risk:** medium  
**Dangerous goods relevance:** medium to high  
**Pharma/cold chain:** high

## FAQ

### Which customs system does Brazil use for imports?

Imports are processed through the Portal Único Siscomex. Importers need a Habilitação (Radar registration) with the Receita Federal and a digital certificate.

### Which taxes apply on import?

Several cascading charges apply: import duty II (0 to 35 percent), IPI, PIS/COFINS and the state-level VAT ICMS (around 17 to 19 percent). From 2026 the reform gradually introduces CBS/IBS.

### Can used goods be imported into Brazil?

Used consumer goods such as vehicles, clothing and tyres are generally prohibited. Used capital goods are only allowed if no comparable product is manufactured domestically.

### What is Brazil's most important port?

The port of Santos near São Paulo is Latin America's largest container port and handles a large share of Brazil's foreign trade. Paranaguá leads in bulk cargo such as soy and corn.

### Which airport handles air freight?

São Paulo-Guarulhos (GRU) is the main air cargo gateway. Viracopos-Campinas (VCP) is an important alternative for e-commerce and temperature-controlled pharma shipments.

### Do pharma or medical devices require special approval?

Yes. Medicines, medical devices, cosmetics and processed foods must be registered and approved by the health authority Anvisa before they can be imported.

### Does my export from the EU benefit from a free trade agreement?

The EU-Mercosur agreement has been provisionally applied since May 2026 and gradually removes tariffs. Exporters use an origin declaration. The EFTA-Mercosur agreement is still being ratified.

## Sources & Last Verified

- [https://www.gov.br/receitafederal](https://www.gov.br/receitafederal)
- [https://www.gov.br/receitafederal/pt-br/assuntos/aduana-e-comercio-exterior](https://www.gov.br/receitafederal/pt-br/assuntos/aduana-e-comercio-exterior)
- [https://portalunico.siscomex.gov.br/portal/](https://portalunico.siscomex.gov.br/portal/)
- [https://www.gov.br/siscomex/pt-br/sistemas-de-comercio-exterior/importacao-2](https://www.gov.br/siscomex/pt-br/sistemas-de-comercio-exterior/importacao-2)
- [https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-prohibited-restricted-imports](https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/brazil-prohibited-restricted-imports)
- [https://www.vatcalc.com/brazil/brazil-passes-further-vat-introduction-legislation/](https://www.vatcalc.com/brazil/brazil-passes-further-vat-introduction-legislation/)
- [https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/news/application-eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-1-may-2026](https://trade.ec.europa.eu/access-to-markets/en/news/application-eu-mercosur-interim-trade-agreement-1-may-2026)
- [https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/mercosur](https://www.efta.int/trade-relations/free-trade-network/mercosur)

*Last verified: 2026-07-19*

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