Americas
Trade terms in Brazil: what works and what catches people out
DDP into Brazil does not work: foreign sellers cannot clear goods or pay import taxes there. Insurance placement rules also make CIF/CIP risky, and EXW out of Brazil leaves export clearance with the Brazilian seller.
Record last reviewed · Check a route to Brazil →
DDP when importing into Brazil Restricted / blocked ✓ Verified
Can a foreign seller clear the goods and pay import taxes in this country?
Not workable. Under Brazilian law a foreign exporter has no standing in import clearance: only the Brazilian importer, or a company established in Brazil acting for the importer, may clear the goods and pay duties and taxes. trade.gov advises U.S. exporters to avoid DDP for Brazil. Usual alternative: a term where the Brazilian buyer (or a Brazil-based import service company) clears the goods.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIF when importing into Brazil Restricted / blocked Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that transport insurance placed with a foreign insurer is not accepted for CIF, CIP or onward carriage into the country, so the seller usually cannot buy the cover itself. It also reports compulsory insurance for goods owned by Brazilian companies or carried in Brazil.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
CIP when importing into Brazil Restricted / blocked Needs review
Can the seller buy the cargo insurance abroad for goods going into this country?
ICC's January 2025 barrier list reports that transport insurance placed with a foreign insurer is not accepted for CIF, CIP or onward carriage into the country, so the seller usually cannot buy the cover itself.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
EXW when exporting from Brazil Practically hard Needs review
Can a foreign buyer handle export clearance out of this country?
Exports from Brazil: ICC reports that under CAMEX Resolution No. 16/2020 the Brazilian seller remains responsible for export clearance on EXW sales, because a foreign buyer cannot legally handle it. In practice FCA is the cleaner choice.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FCA when exporting from Brazil Unverified Unverified
Are there export-filing traps when the buyer arranges carriage from this country?
No FCA barrier is listed for Brazil in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
FOB when exporting from Brazil Unverified Unverified
Are there local quirks with FOB when shipping from this country?
No FOB barrier is listed for Brazil in ICC's January 2025 barrier tables. We have not yet checked national sources, so treat this as unverified.
Sources: International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) · last checked
Key facts
- Importer of record Needs review
Importers must be registered with the Foreign Trade Secretariat (SECEX) and operate through the Siscomex system; a foreign company cannot simply register itself as importer from abroad.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
- Licences & registrations ✓ Verified
Health-related products (pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, vitamins, medical devices) must be registered with ANVISA and can only be imported through a local Brazilian unit or an authorised Brazilian distributor.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
What catches people out
- Clearance ✓ Verified
Small documentation errors regularly delay shipments; Brazilian Customs can seize goods with inaccurate paperwork and applies fines at its discretion.
Sources: U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov) · last checked
Sources used on this page
- Brazil Customs Incoterms® Restriction (2020) — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- National regulatory barriers to the Incoterms® 2020 rules (updated January 2025) — International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
Snapshot as of December 2024, compiled from ICC national committees. Used as a lead list: facts that rely only on this document are flagged for review until confirmed against national law. - Brazil – Import Requirements and Documentation — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
- Brazil – Customs Regulations — U.S. International Trade Administration (trade.gov)
'Needs review' means the fact relies on a secondary source (often ICC's January 2025 barrier list) or an inference we have not yet confirmed against the national law. Spotted an error or a change? Tell us.