Countries · BR
Brazil: sanctions and trade risk
As of 7 November 2026, the screened UN, EU, UK, Swiss and US sanctions lists contain 12 companies, organisations, vessels and aircraft linked to Brazil.Lists last checked .
Logistics profile: ports, airports, customs, documents, holidays, news ↓
No elevated country indicator for Brazil in the route rules Sanctioni uses. That is not a clearance: goods may still be export-controlled, and parties in Brazil may still be on a list.
On the sanctions lists
12 entries on the official lists name Brazil — as nationality, address, registration or flag. That links them to the country; it says nothing about other companies there. The same company can appear on several lists and is then counted once per list. Individuals are not included — Sanctioni does not process them.
| List | Entries | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US OFAC — Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) | 11 | 11 | — | — |
| UK Sanctions List (FCDO) | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Latest changes
No new listings or removals naming Brazil recorded yet.
Related
Logistics profile
Brazil: logistics and trade
Agricultural and raw materials export hub of South America
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.
- Capital
- Brasilia
- Population
- 213,400,000
- Area
- 8,515,767 km²
- Currency
- Brazilian Real (BRL)
- Continent
- South America
- Region
- LATAM / Mercosur
- Economic area
- Mercosur
- Religions
- Roman Catholic, Protestant (Evangelical)
- Access to the sea
- Yes
Transport modes Sea · Air · Road · Rail · Inland waterway
- Current situation
- From 22.7.2026 the USA levies Section 301 additional tariffs of 25 percent on certain Brazilian goods (USTR decision July 2026; in-transit exception until 29.7.2026) — export diversification towards Asia/EU is intensifying. EU-Mercosur provisionally in force since May 2026. No nationwide port disruption verified; seasonal congestion in Santos at harvest peaks possible. (Status 2026-07-19)
- Seasonal conditions
- The rainy season (November to March) in the southeast can affect roads and ports; drought temporarily reduces navigability of the Amazon and Madeira waterways.
Main seaports
- Santos
Santos (BR SSZ), Latin America's busiest port: record 5.9M TEU in 2025, plus soy, sugar and coffee. Container and agribulk gateway, cleared via Siscomex.
- Paranagua
Paranagua (BR PNG): record 73.5 Mt in 2025 across Portos do Paraná, soy and corn — plus TCP, over 1.6 million TEU and heavy reefer volumes.
- Itajai
Itajaí (BR ITJ), Santa Catarina: Brazil's second-largest container port, ~1.1M TEU with Portonave. Frozen meat, reefer; JBS-operated since 2024.
- Rio De Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro (BR RIO): ICTSI container terminal in Guanabara Bay plus steel, vehicles and granite – South-East Brazil's second box port after Santos.
- Porto De Suape
Porto de Suape (BR SUA): largest container port in NE Brazil (Tecon Suape, ~700,000 TEU) and deep-water industrial hub for fuels and chemicals.
- Rio Grande
Rio Grande (BRRIG): Brazil's southernmost deep-water port, Wilson Sons' highly automated Tecon for containers, soy, fertilizer and wood pulp from Rio Grande do Sul.
Road corridors
- BR-116
- BR-101
- BR-163 (soy corridor)
Rail corridors
- Estrada de Ferro Carajas
- Ferrovia Norte-Sul
- Rumo / Ferronorte
Inland ports
- Manaus
- Porto Velho (Rio Madeira)
Main trade lanes
- Brazil-China
- Brazil-USA
- Brazil-EU
- Intra-Mercosur (Argentina)
Customs and import
Customs authority Receita Federal do Brasil (RFB)Official website ↗
- Import 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.
- Export customs system
- Exports are processed through the Portal Unico Siscomex with DU-E (Declaração Unica de Exportação); registration/Habilitação with the Receita Federal is required.
- 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.
- Proofs of origin and trade agreements
- Mercosur certificates of origin; under EU-Mercosur (provisionally applied from May 2026), origin declaration by the exporter. EFTA-Mercosur still in ratification.
- Restricted and prohibited goods
- Import of used consumer goods is generally prohibited (motor vehicles, clothing, tyres). Used capital goods only under restrictions. Anvisa registration for pharmaceuticals, medical devices and cosmetics.
Typical import documents
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / AWB
- Import licence (LI) if required
- Certificate of origin
Typical export documents
- DU-E (export declaration)
- Commercial invoice
- Packing list
- Bill of Lading / AWB
- Certificate of origin (Mercosur / EUR.1)
Logistics conditions
- Customs complexity
- High
- Customs delays
- High
- Port congestion
- Medium to high
- Dangerous goods relevance
- Medium to high
- Pharma and cold chain relevance
- High
- E-commerce relevance
- High
Trade
Top import partners
Top export partners
Top import goods
- Machinery
- Mineral oils
- Electronics
- Vehicles
- Chemicals
Top export goods
- Crude oil
- Soybeans
- Iron ore
- Sugar
- Petroleum products
Typical cargo
- Soybeans
- Iron ore
- Crude oil
- Sugar
- Meat
- Machinery
- Electronics
Upcoming public holidays
- Republic Proclamation DaySun, 15 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
- Black Awareness DayFri, 20 Nov 2026 · businesses closed
- Christmas DayFri, 25 Dec 2026 · businesses closed
- New Year's DayFri, 1 Jan 2027 · businesses closed
- Good FridayFri, 26 Mar 2027 · businesses closed
- Tiradentes DayWed, 21 Apr 2027 · businesses closed
- Labour DaySat, 1 May 2027 · businesses closed
- Independence DayTue, 7 Sept 2027 · businesses closed
Latest logistics news
- Lufthansa Awarded Minority Stake in TAP24 Oct 2026
Portugal has selected Lufthansa for entry into TAP Air Portugal. The stake is intended to strengthen its position in the South Atlantic; completion is still pending.
- GLP-1 Boom Drives Pharmaceutical Air Freight Europe–Brazil Surge10 Oct 2026
Pharma air freight Europe–Brazil grows strongly. GLP-1 medications drive demand for temperature-controlled air cargo.
- Customs Operation ZAFIRO: Authorities Seize Eleven Small Aircraft10 Sept 2026
19 countries conducted inspections of small and private aircraft. During the operations, eleven aircraft were seized and approximately 1.2 tons of drugs were confiscated.
- US Tariffs on Daily Basis: Brazil Takes Action, Global Solution Remains Open22 Jul 2026
Brazil has been subject to new US tariffs since July 22. Two days later, the global surcharge expires. For importers, the wait begins once again for the next tariff regulation.
- EU Mercosur: New Trade Agreement Opens South America to European Exports24 May 2026
As of May 1, 2026, the EU Mercosur Interim Agreement will be provisionally in force. For freight forwarders, new opportunities are arising on Latin America routes.
Logistics questions
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.
Full logistics profile on Freight Academy ↗
Powered by Freight Academy. Logistics information, not a sanctions source.