Importing from Brazil: Opportunities and Obstacles

Brazil is a country rich in natural resources, agricultural products, and unique raw materials — making it an attractive option for global importers. Beyond its abundance, Brazil is also known for the creativity of its people, which shines through in its vibrant culture, from innovative fashion and flavorful cuisine to world-renowned drinks like caipirinha and artisanal cachaça. However, doing business with Brazil comes with significant challenges that require local knowledge and preparation. Here’s what you need to know if you’re considering importing from Brazil.

RADAR: Your First Step to Trade

To export from or import to Brazil, both individuals and companies need a government-issued authorization called RADAR (Registro e Rastreamento da Atuação dos Intervenientes Aduaneiros). Without it, you cannot legally operate in international trade. Setting up RADAR can be a time-consuming process involving Receita Federal (Brazil’s tax authority), and in most cases, it’s essential to work with a local consultant or specialist to ensure compliance.

In addition, all exports from Brazil must be registered through the DUE system (Declaração Única de Exportação), which integrates data across multiple government agencies. Errors or delays in DUE filings can hold up shipments and lead to fines, making local expertise even more important.

Targenta is a fully licensed and registered import and export company in Brazil, offering complete end-to-end solutions — from documentation and regulatory compliance to logistics and quality control. With deep knowledge of local procedures and a commitment to transparency, Targenta helps simplify the complexity of doing business with Brazil.

Internal Logistics: High Costs and Complex Routes

Once your goods are cleared for export, the next hurdle is internal logistics. Brazil’s vast size and limited infrastructure outside major cities make transporting goods from rural or inland areas to ports expensive and slow. Many roads are in poor condition, and rail or river transport is underdeveloped. These logistics costs can seriously erode margins if not carefully planned

One of the most notorious barriers to doing business in Brazil is what’s commonly referred to as “Custo Brasil” — the “Brazil Cost.” This term captures the inefficiencies, heavy taxation, and overwhelming bureaucracy companies face when operating in Brazil.

You’ll have to deal with complex registration and reporting obligations at municipal, state, and federal levels. From issuing invoices (NF-e) to navigating ICMS, PIS, and COFINS taxes, local compliance requires constant attention and local expertise. These burdens increase the operational costs and discourage trade in low-margin or highly competitive products.

International Logistics: LCL, FCL, and Airfreight Explained

When importing from Brazil, international logistics can be tailored to your volume, urgency, and budget. The most common shipping methods are LCL (Less than Container Load), FCL (Full Container Load), and airfreight. LCL is ideal for smaller shipments, where you share container space with other cargo — a cost-effective option when volumes don’t justify a full container. FCL is suited for larger volumes, offering dedicated space and better control over loading and handling. For time-sensitive goods or high-value products, airfreight offers the fastest transit times, though at a higher cost. Choosing the right method depends on your supply chain needs, and working with an experienced partner helps ensure smooth coordination from origin to destination.

Targenta offers regular container shipments to Rotterdam, enabling us to provide competitive LCL services for smaller shipments. We handle all import procedures and can provide warehousing solutions in Europe, along with door-to-door delivery across the continent. This allows our clients to streamline the logistics process and benefit from a reliable, full-service solution from origin to final destination.

Competitive Advantages: Where Brazil Shines

Because of the regulatory complexity, logistical hurdles, and the need for local expertise when doing business with Brazil, it only makes sense to focus on products where Brazil offers a clear competitive advantage. These are typically goods that are either hard to find elsewhere, cost-effective due to Brazil’s natural abundance, or deeply rooted in Brazilian culture and production. And here’s where Brazil can surprise: with a favorable exchange rate and lower labor costs, the total sourcing cost can still be attractive — especially when dealing with labor-intensive or raw product-based industries. If your operation is flexible and focused on the right product category, Brazil can offer significant value.

Targenta invests directly in logistics and production capacity through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to ensure streamlined operations and reliable delivery. We have identified the following products as having high potential for export and offer ready-made products along with comprehensive logistics solutions.

  • Artisanal Cachaça is a traditional Brazilian spirit made from fresh sugarcane juice, carefully distilled in small batches to preserve unique regional flavors and aromas. Known for its authenticity and craftsmanship, it’s a sought-after product in international markets, especially among connoisseurs of fine spirits. Learn more about our artisanal cachaça.
  • Volkswagen Buses. Brazil is renowned for its classic Volkswagen buses, prized by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide. These iconic vehicles are carefully sourced, restored, and customized to preserve their authenticity while meeting modern standards. They represent a unique blend of Brazilian automotive heritage and craftsmanship.
    Explore our Volkswagen buses.
  • Organic Açaí is prized worldwide for its rich antioxidant content, vibrant flavor, and sustainable cultivation methods. Harvested from the Amazon rainforest under strict organic standards, it offers health-conscious consumers a premium superfood option. Discover our organic açaí products.
  • Organic Pitaya, also known as dragon fruit, is cultivated sustainably in Brazil’s favorable climate, resulting in a vibrant, nutritious fruit prized for its flavor and health benefits. Certified organic and carefully harvested, it is perfect for fresh consumption or processing. Learn more about our organic pitaya.
  • Organic cassava from Brazil is a versatile root crop essential in many culinary traditions and industrial uses. Grown under strict organic conditions, it offers purity and quality that appeal to health-conscious markets and manufacturers seeking natural raw materials. Discover our organic cassava.
  • Organic acerola is another standout product from Brazil, valued for its exceptionally high vitamin C content and natural antioxidant properties. Grown under strict organic standards, acerola is ideal for health-conscious markets worldwide. Targenta offers premium organic acerola alongside full logistics and export solutions to ensure quality and timely delivery.
    Learn more about our organic acerola.

If you’re interested in working with any of these products—whether in different formats, private label options, or custom specifications—please contact us. And if you’ve found a product yourself that you’re interested in exporting from Brazil, we can assist you with sourcing, logistics, and the entire export process. Targenta is here to provide flexible, reliable solutions tailored to your business needs.