Country Guide
Exporting from Australia to Brazil
Resource sector complementarity — coal and minerals dominate. No FTA, but most exports face low tariffs by default.
Updated May 2026
Australia is Brazil's 26th largest import origin, with trade heavily concentrated in coal and mining products. Despite both countries being major commodity producers, they have complementary needs — Brazil imports Australian coking coal for steelmaking and aluminum for manufacturing. There is no FTA between Australia and Mercosur, though exploratory talks have occurred. Most Australian exports already face minimal tariffs due to Brazil's strategic demand for raw materials.
No preferential trade agreement
Australia has no FTA with Brazil or Mercosur. Australian goods pay full TEC rates. Australia-Mercosur FTA exploratory talks are ongoing. Most Australian exports (coal, minerals) already face 0-6% duties due to Brazil's strategic needs.
Key concepts
?What is an NCM code?
NCM (Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul) is Brazil's 8-digit tariff classification code. The first 6 digits match the international HS (Harmonized System) code — the remaining 2 are Mercosur-specific. Every import tax rate in Brazil is determined by the NCM code.
HS → NCM lookup tool?What is a CNPJ?
CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica) is Brazil's national business registry number — equivalent to an EIN (US), Company Number (UK), or Handelsregisternummer (Germany). Every company that imports into Brazil must have a CNPJ.
CNPJ registration guide?What is RADAR?
RADAR (Registro e Rastreamento da Atuação dos Intervenientes Aduaneiros) is Receita Federal's mandatory import/export authorization. Your Brazilian buyer needs active RADAR before any goods can clear customs. It comes in three modalities with different value limits.
RADAR & customs clearance guideTrade Data: Australia → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Brazil reports 46.5% more imports from Australia than Australia reports in exports. This CIF/FOB spread is typical — Brazil values at CIF (including freight & insurance), while Australia values at FOB (port of departure). Large gaps can also indicate re-exports through third countries.
Top Australian exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2701.12Coal; bituminous, whether or not pulverised, but not agglomerated | $1.1B | Duties → |
| 2 | 2704.00Coke and semi-coke; of coal, lignite or peat, whether or not agglomerated; retor... | $21.6M | Duties → |
| 3 | 8535.21Electrical apparatus; automatic circuit breakers, for a voltage exceeding 1000 v... | $15.4M | Duties → |
| 4 | 1107.10Malt; not roasted | $11.7M | Duties → |
| 5 | 0202.30Meat; of bovine animals, boneless cuts, frozen | $10.9M | Duties → |
| 6 | 8802.11Helicopters, except unmanned; of an unladen weight not exceeding 2000kg | $10.0M | Duties → |
| 7 | 8604.00Railway or tramway maintenance or service vehicles; whether or not self-propelle... | $7.1M | Duties → |
| 8 | 8710.00Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles; motorised, whether or not fitted wit... | $5.8M | Duties → |
| 9 | 3002.90Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products | $4.4M | Duties → |
| 10 | 2826.30Sodium hexafluoroaluminate (synthetic cryolite) | $3.5M | Duties → |
| 11 | 3004.49Medicaments; containing alkaloids or their derivatives; other than ephedrine, ps... | $3.4M | Duties → |
| 12 | 8474.90Machines, for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing etc mineral subs... | $3.2M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8483.40Gears and gearing; (not toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission e... | $2.9M | Duties → |
| 14 | 8474.10Machines; for sorting, screening, separating or washing earth, stone, ores or ot... | $2.8M | Duties → |
| 15 | 9015.80Surveying equipment; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic... | $2.6M | Duties → |
| 16 | 3811.90Oxidation and gum inhibitors, viscosity improvers, anti-corrosive preparations, ... | $2.3M | Duties → |
| 17 | 3824.99Chemical products, mixtures and preparations; n.e.c. heading 3824 | $2.2M | Duties → |
| 18 | 3206.11Colouring matter; pigments and preparations based on titanium dioxide, containin... | $1.9M | Duties → |
| 19 | 8411.91Turbines; parts of turbo-jets and turbo-propellers | $1.7M | Duties → |
| 20 | 8207.90Tools, interchangeable; (for machine or hand tools, whether or not power-operate... | $1.6M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (Australia port of departure). Trend compares 2023 vs 2022. Click any HS code for Brazil duty rates and Ex-Tarifário status.
Key product categories and tariff strategy
| Product | Import duty | Key consideration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coal Bituminous coal, anthracite, pet coke | 0-6% | ANP license | View HS 27 → |
| Aluminum Unwrought aluminum, alloys | 6-14% | Low duty | View HS 76 → |
| Medical devices Oxygen therapy, hearing aids | 14-18% | ANVISA mandatory | View HS 90 → |
| Electrical Circuit breakers, switchgear | 14-18% | INMETRO | View HS 85 → |
| Nickel Unwrought nickel, alloys | 0-6% | Industrial use | View HS 75 → |
| Malt Barley malt for brewing | 14% | MAPA | View HS 11 → |
Coal: 80%+ of bilateral trade
Australian coal dominates bilateral trade with Brazil:
- Bituminous coal (HS 2701): over $2.8B — high-grade coking coal for Vale's and CSN's steel mills
- Petroleum coke (HS 2704): $554M — for aluminum smelting and cement
- Quality premium: Australian coal trades at a premium due to lower sulfur and ash content
- 0-6% duty: coal is strategically low-tariff in Brazil
- ANP authorization required for all fossil fuel imports
Medical devices: a growing sector
Australian medical technology companies are expanding in the Brazilian market:
- Oxygen therapy equipment (HS 9019): $65M — ResMed and Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
- Hearing aids (HS 9021): Cochlear Limited — global leader in cochlear implants
- ANVISA registration mandatory for all medical devices
- Ex-Tarifário may apply to specialized medical equipment without domestic equivalent
Mining expertise and equipment
Both Australia and Brazil are major mining nations. Australian mining technology and services find a natural market in Brazil:
- Mining software and services: exploration, extraction, safety systems
- Specialized equipment: Ex-Tarifário can provide 0% duty on mining equipment without Brazilian equivalent
- Rio Tinto, BHP: major Australian miners with Brazilian operations or partnerships
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA108 Australian facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code
- Check ANP requirements for coal and mineral imports
- Check Ex-Tarifário status for specialized equipment
- Calculate the full landed cost
- Contact the Australia-Brazil Chamber of Commerce