🇧🇷 India–Brazil trade guide
Everything you need to ship from India to Brazil or import from Brazil to India: the trade agreement, routes and transit times, how your buyer imports, duties, regulators and documents.
India and Brazil at a glance
India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (in force since June 2009, about 450 tariff lines each side with 10–100% margins). Talks to expand it into a wider agreement were launched in September 2026.
Brazil is India's largest market in Latin America: India exported about US$7 billion there in 2025-26. India sells diesel and petroleum products, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals and APIs, vehicles and auto parts, cotton yarn and textiles, and engineering goods. India buys crude oil, raw sugar, soybean oil, ferrous scrap, cotton and gold.
Routes and transit times to Brazil
30–40 days to Santos on direct services; 40–50 days with transhipment. Direct East Coast South America services from Nhava Sheva/Mundra (around the Cape of Good Hope), or transhipment via Colombo, Singapore or Jebel Ali.
- Santos BRSSZ
- Paranaguá BRPNG
- Itajaí / Navegantes BRITJ
- Rio de Janeiro BRRIO
- Rio Grande BRRIG
- Suape BRSUA
- Manaus (river, Free Zone) BRMAO
4–7 days via Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa or Europe.
- São Paulo Guarulhos GRU
- Viracopos Campinas VCP
- Rio de Janeiro Galeão GIG
- Manaus MAO
Transit times are indicative port-to-port from Nhava Sheva / Mundra (sea) and Delhi / Mumbai (air). Routing changes (for example Red Sea diversions) can add 10–14 days.
Importing into Brazil: what your buyer needs
- The importer must be enabled in Siscomex (RADAR / habilitação) with the Receita Federal before the goods arrive. Ask your buyer for their RADAR status and limit.
- Imports are now declared on the DUIMP (Portal Único). The old DI has been switched off for almost all operations, with the last ones closing in December 2026.
- Many products need an import licence or LPCO (permits from ANVISA, MAPA, INMETRO and others) before shipment. Check the NCM code first.
- Brazil is strict on document accuracy: the invoice must show complete descriptions, NCM, Incoterm, payment terms and the country of origin and acquisition. Errors are fined.
Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC) on the NCM code, mostly 0–35%, plus IPI (federal excise), PIS/COFINS (federal), ICMS (state VAT, 4–20%+) and AFRMM (8% on ocean freight). Brazil's new dual VAT (CBS/IBS) is being phased in from 2026 to 2033.
- ANVISA: medicines, APIs, food, cosmetics, medical devices
- MAPA: agricultural products, animal products, fertilisers, wood packaging
- INMETRO: mandatory certification (tyres, toys, electrical goods and more)
- ANATEL: telecom and radio equipment
- Commercial invoice (signed; Portuguese or English accepted, full NCM-level descriptions)
- Packing list
- Bill of lading / AWB (consignee CNPJ shown)
- Certificate of origin under the India–Mercosur PTA to claim preference
- Phytosanitary / health certificates where MAPA or ANVISA requires them
- ISPM-15 marks on all wood packaging
From Brazil to India, and tips from the field
Sugar, soybean oil and crude dominate. Indian importers of Brazilian agri goods need FSSAI clearance, plant quarantine permits where applicable, and a Mercosur certificate of origin for PTA rates.
- File the Bill of Entry through a licensed customs broker in India (YAM holds licence R-7/92).
- Check the HS code in the Indian tariff, the DGFT import policy (free, restricted or prohibited) and any BIS, FSSAI, plant quarantine or other permit before the goods ship.
- If an agreement applies, get the correct certificate of origin from the exporter to claim the lower duty.
- Carnival (February/March) and year-end slow down customs and banks.
- Freight for Brazil is often quoted with BL fees and AFRMM: compare all-in costs.
- Demurrage at Santos is expensive; get documents right before arrival.
- Our partner agents in Latin America can handle destination clearance and delivery. Ask us for a door-to-door quote.
Written by YAM Logistics from our own experience and public sources, checked November 2026. Duties, taxes, permits and trade agreements change often: treat rates and transit times as indicative and confirm them for your HS code and shipment before you quote or ship. This is general guidance, not legal or tax advice.
Questions people ask
Does India have a trade agreement with Brazil?+
India–Mercosur Preferential Trade Agreement (in force since June 2009, about 450 tariff lines each side with 10–100% margins). Talks to expand it into a wider agreement were launched in September 2026.
How long does shipping from India to Brazil take?+
By sea: 30–40 days to Santos on direct services; 40–50 days with transhipment. Direct East Coast South America services from Nhava Sheva/Mundra (around the Cape of Good Hope), or transhipment via Colombo, Singapore or Jebel Ali. By air: 4–7 days via Dubai, Doha, Addis Ababa or Europe.
What does an importer in Brazil need?+
The importer must be enabled in Siscomex (RADAR / habilitação) with the Receita Federal before the goods arrive. Ask your buyer for their RADAR status and limit. Imports are now declared on the DUIMP (Portal Único). The old DI has been switched off for almost all operations, with the last ones closing in December 2026. Many products need an import licence or LPCO (permits from ANVISA, MAPA, INMETRO and others) before shipment. Check the NCM code first. Brazil is strict on document accuracy: the invoice must show complete descriptions, NCM, Incoterm, payment terms and the country of origin and acquisition. Errors are fined.
What duties and taxes apply in Brazil?+
Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC) on the NCM code, mostly 0–35%, plus IPI (federal excise), PIS/COFINS (federal), ICMS (state VAT, 4–20%+) and AFRMM (8% on ocean freight). Brazil's new dual VAT (CBS/IBS) is being phased in from 2026 to 2033.
Can YAM Logistics handle shipments to Brazil?+
Yes. YAM handles export clearance and freight from India, and works with partner agents in Latin America for destination clearance and delivery to Brazil. Message us on WhatsApp for a quote.