Monthly Digest
March 2026
INMETRO expands compulsory certification to 12 new product categories. GECEX adjusts TEC rates for capital goods ahead of EU-Mercosur.
INMETRO: 12 new compulsory certification categories
Portaria INMETRO 87/2026 (effective March 15) added 12 product categories to the compulsory certification list. Products in these categories imported after September 15, 2026 (6-month grace period) must carry INMETRO certification:
| Product category | HS chapters | Certification type |
|---|---|---|
| USB-C chargers and cables | 8504, 8544 | Batch + labeling |
| Portable power stations | 8507 | Type approval |
| E-bike batteries | 8507 | Type approval |
| Smart locks (electronic) | 8301 | Batch |
| Robot vacuum cleaners | 8508 | Type approval |
| Air fryers (> 3.5L) | 8516 | Type approval |
| Electric scooter helmets | 6506 | Type approval |
| Silicone baby products | 3924 | Batch + migration test |
| Pet GPS trackers | 8526 | Batch (+ Anatel) |
| Camping gas stoves (portable) | 7321 | Type approval |
| Floating pool lights | 9405 | Batch + IP rating |
| Children's sunglasses | 9004 | Batch + UV test |
6-month grace period
Products shipped before September 15, 2026 are not subject to the new requirement. Use this window to initiate certification with an INMETRO-accredited OCP. Testing typically takes 4–8 weeks, so start now if you import any of these products.
TEC adjustments for capital goods
Resolução GECEX 631/2026 adjusted TEC rates for 47 NCMs in chapters 84 and 85, reducing rates by 2–4 percentage points for capital goods identified as essential for Brazil's industrial competitiveness:
- CNC machines (8457-8461): 9 NCMs reduced from 14% to 10%. Aligns with Mercosur CET convergence schedule.
- Industrial robots (8479.50): reduced from 14% to 8%. Part of Brazil's automation incentive program.
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment (8486): reduced from 14% to 2%. Strategic sector designation.
- Renewable energy equipment (8501, 8541): solar inverters and modules — rates reduced from 12% to 8%.
These reductions are permanent TEC changes, not temporary. They represent Brazil's ongoing commitment to lowering barriers for productive imports.
ICMS: Santa Catarina rate change
Convênio ICMS 20/2026 (CONFAZ) authorized Santa Catarina to increase its base ICMS rate from 17% to 17.5% for selected product categories, effective March 1. This affects:
- Consumer electronics (chapters 84-85)
- Vehicles and parts (chapter 87)
- Furniture (chapter 94)
Santa Catarina remains competitive for imports due to its port efficiency (Itajaí/Navegantes) and state incentive programs, but the 0.5pp increase narrows the gap with São Paulo (18%) for certain product categories.
EU-Mercosur: legal scrubbing completed
The EU and Mercosur announced completion of the legal scrubbing (revisão jurídica) of the trade agreement text on March 22. Key implications:
- Signing date confirmed — agreement to be signed in April 2026
- Provisional application timeline — EU confirmed intent to provisionally apply the trade pillar starting May 1, 2026
- Tariff schedules finalized — the specific reduction timelines for each HS chapter are now locked
- Rules of Origin — product-specific rules confirmed, including cumulation provisions for EU-Mercosur supply chains
European exporters should begin preparing: identify which of your products benefit from preferential rates, and ensure your supply chain can comply with the Rules of Origin requirements.
Other updates
- ANVISA: published updated list of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) subject to import control. 8 new APIs added to the controlled list.
- IBAMA: Normative Instruction 22/2026 updates the Rotterdam Convention substance list for Brazil. Importers of industrial chemicals should verify their products against the new list.
- Ex-Tarifário: SDIC published analysis results for the Q1 2026 batch — 89 new BK applications and 34 BIT applications under review. Results expected in April.