Country Guide
Exporting from Canada to Brazil
No FTA in force, but strong complementarity in mining, energy, and agriculture. Ex-Tarifário is your key tariff tool for capital goods.
Updated May 2026
Canada and Brazil have a complementary trade relationship — Canada supplies raw materials (potash, coal, wheat) and specialized equipment (mining, aerospace) while importing Brazilian commodities. There is no comprehensive free trade agreement between Canada and Mercosur, though Canada-Mercosur FTA talks have been ongoing since 2018. Canadian goods pay the full Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC).
No preferential trade agreement
Canada has no FTA with Brazil or Mercosur. Canadian goods pay the full TEC rate. Canada-Mercosur FTA negotiations are ongoing, but no timeline for conclusion. Meanwhile, EU competitors benefit from EU-Mercosur with tariffs decreasing annually through 2041.
Key product categories and tariff strategy
| Product | Import duty | Key consideration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fertilizers Potash (KCl), phosphates, NPK | 0-6% | Major supplier | View HS 31 → |
| Machinery Mining, oil & gas, turbines | 14% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Fuels & coal Coal, petroleum coke, natural gas | 0-6% | ANP license | View HS 27 → |
| Aircraft & parts Bombardier aircraft, helicopter parts | 0-14% | Ex-Tarifário likely | View HS 88 → |
| Cereals Wheat, barley, oats | 10% | MAPA phytosanitary | View HS 10 → |
| Wood pulp Chemical pulp, mechanical pulp | 0-6% | Low duty | View HS 47 → |
| Instruments Mining sensors, medical devices | 14-18% | ANVISA for medical | View HS 90 → |
| Electrical equipment Power systems, telecom, cables | 14-18% | Anatel for wireless | View HS 85 → |
Fertilizers: Canada's strategic role
Brazil is the world's largest fertilizer importer, and Canada (Nutrien, Mosaic) is one of its key suppliers:
- Potash (KCl): Brazil imports 95% of its potash. Canada is the world's largest producer. Import duty is 0-6% — already competitive
- Phosphates and NPK: complementary to Brazil's own phosphate production
- Strategic importance: after Russia's invasion of Ukraine disrupted global fertilizer supply chains, Brazil has actively diversified toward Canadian suppliers
Mining and energy equipment
Canada's mining and oil & gas expertise is directly relevant to Brazil's resource sectors:
- Ex-Tarifário is the key mechanism — mining equipment, drilling systems, and specialized machinery with no Brazilian equivalent qualify for 0% import duty
- Pre-salt exploration: Canadian subsea equipment (Husky, now Cenovus) has been used in Brazil's pre-salt fields
- Mining machinery: specialized extraction and processing equipment for iron ore, gold, and nickel mining
The EU-Mercosur competitive gap
EU competitors in machinery and equipment now have a growing tariff advantage:
| Year | Canada duty (HS 84 machinery) | EU duty (same product) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14% | 12.6% | 1.4% |
| 2030 | 14% | 5.6% | 8.4% |
| 2036 | 14% | 0% | 14% |
Illustrative rates for capital goods. Canadian products with Ex-Tarifário status can still enter at 0%.
Aerospace: Bombardier and Embraer
The Canada-Brazil aerospace relationship is complex — Bombardier and Embraer are direct competitors in regional aviation. Key considerations:
- Aircraft and parts: often qualify for Ex-Tarifário at 0% duty
- Component supply: Canadian aerospace parts suppliers (CAE, Héroux-Devtek) supply both Bombardier and Embraer
- ANAC certification: required for all aviation products
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA571 Canadian facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
- ANVISA — pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics. Health Canada approval does NOT replace ANVISA
- INMETRO — electrical equipment, construction materials. CSA marking does NOT replace INMETRO
- MAPA — wheat, grains, agricultural products. CFIA phytosanitary certificates required
- ANP — petroleum products and coal require ANP authorization
?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 guidePractical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your Canadian tariff number or HS code
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying capital goods
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Verify regulatory requirements — ANVISA, INMETRO, MAPA
- Contact the CCBC (Canada-Brazil Chamber of Commerce) for market entry support