Country Guide
Exporting from France to Brazil
EU-Mercosur tariff elimination, Geographic Indications for French products, and how to maximize preferential access for wine, cosmetics, and machinery.
EU-Mercosur: in force since May 2026France is one of Brazil's top European trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding EUR 8 billion annually. French exports span from Airbus aircraft and pharmaceuticals to Champagne and Roquefort. The EU-Mercosur agreement gives French companies a decisive advantage — tariff elimination on 91% of goods plus legal protection for 357 EU Geographic Indications, many of which are French.
Your EU advantage + GI protection
As an EU exporter, you benefit from the EU-Mercosur agreement: tariff elimination on 91% of goods over 10-15 years. Additionally, French products like Champagne, Cognac, Roquefort, and Comté gain legal protection in Brazil — Brazilian producers cannot use these names. This is a dual competitive advantage no other country enjoys.
Trade Data: France → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Brazil reports 17.5% more imports from France than France reports in exports. This CIF/FOB spread is typical — Brazil values at CIF (including freight & insurance), while France values at FOB (port of departure). Large gaps can also indicate re-exports through third countries.
Top French exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8802.40Aeroplanes and other aircraft; of an unladen weight exceeding 15,000kg | $937.6M | Duties → |
| 2 | 3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004,... | $143.3M | Duties → |
| 3 | 8411.12Turbo-jets; of a thrust exceeding 25kN | $137.1M | Duties → |
| 4 | 2933.39Heterocyclic compounds; containing an unfused pyridine ring (whether or not hydr... | $120.7M | Duties → |
| 5 | 3304.99Cosmetic and toilet preparations; n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of th... | $98.4M | Duties → |
| 6 | 3808.69Insecticides; containing goods named in Subheading Note 2 to this Chapter, put u... | $84.8M | Duties → |
| 7 | 8807.30Aircraft and spacecraft; parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n... | $84.3M | Duties → |
| 8 | 1107.10Malt; not roasted | $81.2M | Duties → |
| 9 | 3904.69Halogenated olefin polymers; fluoro-polymers (other than polytetrafluoroethylene... | $73.6M | Duties → |
| 10 | 8708.40Vehicle parts; gear boxes and parts thereof | $69.9M | Duties → |
| 11 | 2933.19Heterocyclic compounds; with nitrogen hetero-atom(s) only, containing an unfused... | $63.6M | Duties → |
| 12 | 3002.41Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar pro... | $56.0M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8502.13Electric generating sets; with compression-ignition internal combustion piston e... | $49.3M | Duties → |
| 14 | 8701.95Tractors; n.e.c. in heading no 8701 (other than tractors of heading no 8709); of... | $46.2M | Duties → |
| 15 | 3808.92Fungicides; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this C... | $45.8M | Duties → |
| 16 | 8802.30Aeroplanes and other aircraft; of an unladen weight exceeding 2000kg but not exc... | $39.6M | Duties → |
| 17 | 8408.20Engines; compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi... | $39.1M | Duties → |
| 18 | 8708.99Vehicle parts and accessories; n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 | $38.5M | Duties → |
| 19 | 9032.89Regulating or controlling instruments and apparatus; automatic, other than hydra... | $37.3M | Duties → |
| 20 | 8708.29Vehicles; parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts | $37.3M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (France port of departure). Trend compares 2023 vs 2022. Click any HS code for Brazil duty rates and Ex-Tarifário status.
?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 guideKey product categories and tariff strategy
| Product | Current duty | EU-Mercosur | Ex-Tarifário? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft & parts Airbus aircraft, helicopters, engines, components | 0-14% | 0% immediate | Many qualify | View HS 88 → |
| Pharmaceuticals Branded drugs, vaccines, biologics | 0-8% | Already low | No | View HS 30 → |
| Wine & spirits Wine, Champagne, Cognac, liqueurs | 20-27% | 0% by 2036 | No | View HS 22 → |
| Cosmetics & perfumes Perfumes, skincare, makeup | 18% | 0% by 2033 | No | View HS 33 → |
| Machinery Turbines, pumps, industrial equipment | 14% | 0% by 2036 | Many qualify | View HS 84 → |
| Dairy products Cheese, butter, cream | 28% | TRQ + phase-out | No | View HS 04 → |
| Organic chemicals Specialty chemicals, intermediates | 0-14% | 0% by 2033 | No | View HS 29 → |
| Instruments Medical devices, optical, lab equipment | 14-18% | 0% by 2036 | Many qualify | View HS 90 → |
Geographic Indications: France's unique advantage
The EU-Mercosur agreement protects 357 EU Geographic Indications in Brazil. French products make up the largest share, including:
- Wines & spirits: Champagne, Cognac, Armagnac, Bordeaux, Bourgogne, Alsace, Beaujolais, Chablis, Médoc, Saint-Émilion, Côtes du Rhône
- Cheese: Roquefort, Comté, Reblochon, Camembert de Normandie, Brie de Meaux, Munster
- Other foods: Pruneaux d'Agen, Jambon de Bayonne, Piment d'Espelette
What this means: Brazilian producers can no longer label products as "Champagne" or "Cognac." This eliminates a significant barrier for French premium exports — your brand identity is now legally protected.
Wine & spirits: the tariff schedule
French wine and spirits currently face 20-27% import duty in Brazil. The EU-Mercosur agreement phases these tariffs to zero:
| Product | Current duty | EU-Mercosur timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Still wine (< 2L) | 27% | 0% in 12 years |
| Sparkling wine / Champagne | 20% | 0% in 10 years |
| Cognac / Armagnac | 20% | 0% in 10 years |
| Liqueurs | 20% | 0% in 10 years |
Plus GI protection from day one — no Brazilian producer can label products as Champagne or Cognac.
Cosmetics, perfumes & luxury goods
France is the world's largest cosmetics exporter, and Brazil is one of the world's largest cosmetics markets (top 4 globally). Current barriers:
- Import duty: 18% on cosmetics and perfumes — phasing to 0% under EU-Mercosur
- ANVISA registration — mandatory for all cosmetics, perfumes, and personal care products. ANSM/EU authorization does not replace ANVISA. Budget 3-6 months for registration.
- Portuguese labeling: all consumer products must have labels in Portuguese with ANVISA registration number
- Animal testing: Brazil has specific regulations — verify compliance with Brazilian law (Lei 11.794)
Aerospace: Airbus and the Brazilian market
France's largest export to Brazil by value is aerospace (Airbus, Safran, Thales, Dassault). Key considerations:
- Aircraft and parts often qualify for Ex-Tarifário — immediate 0% duty
- ANAC (Brazilian civil aviation authority) certification required for commercial aviation
- Brazil's defense procurement (Rafale, submarines) operates through government-to-government channels
- Embraer partnerships: component suppliers to Embraer may benefit from Drawback (full tax recovery on inputs for exported products)
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA396 French facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
French certifications (NF, CE, ANSM) are not directly recognized in Brazil:
- ANVISA — pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics, food. EU-Mercosur includes GMP mutual recognition provisions that may accelerate approvals.
- INMETRO — electrical equipment, automotive parts, toys. CE marking does NOT replace INMETRO.
- MAPA — dairy (cheese, butter), meat products. Phytosanitary agreements under EU-Mercosur should streamline SPS procedures.
- Anatel — any device with wireless connectivity requires Brazilian certification.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your code douanier or HS code
- Check EU-Mercosur tariff schedule — see when your product reaches 0%
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying capital goods
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Contact your CCI about the EU-Mercosur Certificate of Origin process
- Connect with the CCIFB (Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie France-Brésil) for market entry support