Monthly Digest
January 2026
Tax-reform testing begins, the EU-Mercosur agreement is signed, and the 2026 tariff schedule takes effect.
Tax reform: CBS and IBS testing begins
The most significant structural change to Brazilian taxation in decades began on January 1, 2026. Under Emenda Constitucional 132/2023 and Lei Complementar 214/2025, two new taxes started a one-year testing/calibration phase:
- CBS (Contribuição sobre Bens e Serviços) — federal, at a symbolic 0.9% test rate in 2026. It will replace PIS and COFINS.
- IBS (Imposto sobre Bens e Serviços) — shared state/municipal, at a symbolic 0.1% test rate in 2026. It will gradually replace ICMS and ISS during the 2029–2032 transition, with full implementation by 2033.
2026 is a test year: the symbolic rates run alongside the existing taxes so that systems and compliance can be calibrated. PIS/COFINS-Importação (2.1% + 9.65%) and the other import taxes remain unchanged for now.
What it means for importers
During 2026 the CBS/IBS test rates are symbolic and the legacy taxes still govern your landed cost. The real change for importers starts in 2027, when CBS replaces PIS/COFINS. See our Tax Reform 2026–2033 guide for the full timeline.
EU-Mercosur agreement signed
On January 17, 2026, the European Union and Mercosur signed the EU-Mercosur Partnership Agreement (EMPA) and an interim Trade Agreement (iTA) in Asunción, Paraguay — formalizing the deal whose political conclusion was announced in December 2024.
- The interim Trade Agreement falls under exclusive EU competence and is the vehicle that puts the tariff and market-access provisions into effect.
- Ratification by the Mercosur countries follows over the next two months (see February and March digests).
- Provisional application of the trade pillar is scheduled for May 1, 2026.
Track the phased tariff dismantling on our EU-Mercosur tracker.
2026 NCM/TEC update
The Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM) and Common External Tariff (TEC) for 2026 are consolidated in Resolução GECEX nº 272/2021 and updated through 2026 by resolutions such as Resolução GECEX nº 852/2026. Always confirm the live rate for your NCM — the TEC is amended frequently by GECEX. Our HS → NCM lookup reflects the current published rates.
Siscomex fee — no change
The Siscomex utilization fee remains R$ 115.67 per import declaration plus R$ 38.56 per added item (decreasing brackets above the 2nd item), set by IN RFB 2.024/2021 and Portaria ME 4.131/2021. A typical single-item declaration costs R$ 154.23. There was no 2026 adjustment.
ICMS — interstate rate on imported goods
The interstate ICMS rate on imported goods (or goods with more than 40% imported content) remains 4%, set by Resolução do Senado Federal nº 13/2012. Internal ICMS rates vary by state of destination (17%–23% in 2026) — see our ICMS by state page.