Country Guide
Exporting from Denmark to Brazil
EU-Mercosur preferential tariffs, pharmaceutical leadership (Novo Nordisk), wind energy (Vestas), and 90 MAPA-authorized food establishments.
EU-Mercosur: in force since May 2026Denmark punches far above its weight in Brazil. Novo Nordisk is one of the largest pharmaceutical suppliers. Vestas dominates Brazil's growing wind energy market. Danish Crown exports pork, and Arla ships dairy. With the EU-Mercosur agreement now in force, Danish companies get preferential access that non-EU competitors cannot match.
Your EU advantage
As an EU member, Denmark benefits from EU-Mercosur: tariff elimination on 91% of goods over 10-15 years. Pharmaceuticals get immediate 0% on most lines. Wind turbines and industrial equipment phase to 0%. Your competitors from the US, China, and Japan don't have this.
Trade Data: Denmark → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Brazil reports 28.7% more imports from Denmark than Denmark reports in exports. This CIF/FOB spread is typical — Brazil values at CIF (including freight & insurance), while Denmark values at FOB (port of departure). Large gaps can also indicate re-exports through third countries.
Top Danish exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3507.90Enzymes and prepared enzymes; other than rennet and concentrates thereof | $65.4M | Duties → |
| 2 | 9021.40Hearing aids (excluding parts and accessories) | $21.7M | Duties → |
| 3 | 3002.49Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; n.e... | $17.1M | Duties → |
| 4 | 8479.90Machines and mechanical appliances; parts, of those having individual functions | $14.9M | Duties → |
| 5 | 3815.11Catalysts, supported; reaction initiators, reaction accelerators and catalytic p... | $11.2M | Duties → |
| 6 | 8481.20Valves; for oleohydraulic or pneumatic transmissions | $10.4M | Duties → |
| 7 | 3822.19Reagents; diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or... | $9.4M | Duties → |
| 8 | 2905.45Alcohols; polyhydric, glycerol | $9.3M | Duties → |
| 9 | 8481.80Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances; for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vat... | $9.2M | Duties → |
| 10 | 3504.00Peptones and their derivatives; other protein substances and their derivatives n... | $8.9M | Duties → |
| 11 | 8479.89Machines and mechanical appliances; having individual functions, n.e.c. or inclu... | $8.5M | Duties → |
| 12 | 8504.40Electrical static converters | $8.4M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8438.20Machinery; industrial, for the manufacture of confectionery, cocoa or chocolate | $7.1M | Duties → |
| 14 | 8465.91Machine-tools; for working wood, cork, bone, hard rubber, hard plastics or simil... | $7.1M | Duties → |
| 15 | 8409.99Engines; parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition) | $6.8M | Duties → |
| 16 | 8537.10Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases; for electric control or the dis... | $6.0M | Duties → |
| 17 | 9021.90Appliances; worn, carried or implanted in the body, to compensate for a defect o... | $5.9M | Duties → |
| 18 | 2941.90Antibiotics; n.e.c. in heading no. 2941 | $5.8M | Duties → |
| 19 | 8431.49Machinery; parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in head... | $5.6M | Duties → |
| 20 | 3920.99Plastics; plates, sheets, film, foil and strip (not self-adhesive), of plastics ... | $5.6M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (Denmark 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 | Current duty | EU-Mercosur | Regulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals Novo Nordisk insulin, Lundbeck CNS drugs | 0-8% | 0% immediate | ANVISA | View HS 30 → |
| Machinery Wind turbines, pumps (Grundfos, Danfoss) | 14% | 0% by 2036 | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Meat products Pork (Danish Crown), offal, processed meat | 10-16% | TRQ + phasing | MAPA/DIPOA | View HS 02 → |
| Dairy Cheese, butter, milk powder (Arla) | 14-28% | TRQ + phasing | MAPA/DIPOA | View HS 04 → |
| Electrical equipment Power converters, transformers, sensors | 14-18% | 0% by 2036 | INMETRO | View HS 85 → |
| Instruments Hearing aids (Oticon), medical devices | 14-18% | 0% by 2036 | ANVISA | View HS 90 → |
Pharmaceuticals: Novo Nordisk and Lundbeck
Denmark is a pharmaceutical powerhouse, and Brazil is a top-10 pharma market globally:
- Novo Nordisk: global leader in insulin and GLP-1 (Ozempic, Wegovy). Brazil's diabetic population exceeds 16 million — massive market. Novo Nordisk has a manufacturing plant in Montes Claros, MG.
- Lundbeck: CNS drugs (antidepressants, Alzheimer's). Brazil's mental health drug market is growing double-digits.
- EU-Mercosur advantage: most pharmaceutical products get immediate 0% tariff. GMP mutual recognition provisions may accelerate ANVISA registration.
Wind energy: Vestas in Brazil's Northeast
Brazil is Latin America's wind energy leader, with 30+ GW installed capacity concentrated in the Northeast (RN, BA, PI, CE). Denmark dominates this market:
- Vestas: has manufacturing plants in Ceará and Bahia. Exports nacelles, blades, and components from Denmark for Brazilian assembly.
- Wind turbine components (HS 8412, 8501, 8503): generators, gearboxes, control systems — many qualify for Ex-Tarifário (immediate 0% duty).
- Offshore wind: Brazil's offshore wind potential is enormous. Denmark's offshore expertise (Ørsted) positions Danish suppliers for this emerging market.
Meat and dairy: Danish Crown and Arla
Denmark has 90 establishments authorized by MAPA/DIPOA to export to Brazil, covering meat (523 registrations), dairy (364), fisheries (127), and cold storage (160).
- Danish Crown: one of the world's largest pork exporters. Pork products authorized for Brazilian market.
- Arla Foods: butter, cheese, milk powder. Danish dairy has strong brand recognition.
- EU-Mercosur quotas: meat and dairy get tariff-rate quotas (TRQ) — limited volumes at reduced rates, with progressive liberalization.
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA90 Danish facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
- ANVISA — pharmaceuticals, medical devices (hearing aids), cosmetics. EU-Mercosur may streamline GMP recognition.
- MAPA/DIPOA — meat, dairy, fish products. Denmark has 90 authorized establishments.
- INMETRO — wind turbine components, electrical equipment, industrial pumps.
- Certificate of Origin — required from Danish customs or authorized exporter self-declaration for EU-Mercosur preferences.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your Danish KN code (same first 6 digits)
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — wind and industrial equipment often qualify
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Contact the Danish Trade Council in São Paulo for market entry support