Country Guide
Exporting from Iceland to Brazil
EFTA-Mercosur preferential tariffs, 50 authorized fisheries establishments, sustainable cod and seafood, and geothermal-powered aluminum.
EFTA-Mercosur: in force since 2025Iceland's exports to Brazil are concentrated in two sectors: fisheries (cod, haddock, redfish, capelin) and aluminum (smelted with clean geothermal energy). The EFTA-Mercosur agreement gives Icelandic exporters preferential access, a significant advantage over non-EFTA competitors. With 50 establishments authorized by MAPA/DIPOA, the regulatory pathway for Icelandic seafood is well-established.
Your EFTA advantage
As an EFTA member alongside Norway, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein, Iceland benefits from the EFTA-Mercosur FTA (in force since 2025). Fish and seafood get significant tariff reductions. Industrial goods phase to 0% over 10-15 years.
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: Iceland → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Brazil reports 44.3% more imports from Iceland than Iceland reports in exports. This CIF/FOB spread is typical — Brazil values at CIF (including freight & insurance), while Iceland values at FOB (port of departure). Large gaps can also indicate re-exports through third countries.
Top Icelandic exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0304.73Fish fillets; frozen, coalfish (Pollachius virens) | $3.2M | Duties → |
| 2 | 7607.19Aluminium; foil, (not backed), of a thickness not exceeding 0.2mm, not rolled | $1.7M | Duties → |
| 3 | 8418.40Freezers; of the upright type, not exceeding 900l capacity | $989K | Duties → |
| 4 | 0303.91Fish; frozen, livers, roes and milt | $234K | Duties → |
| 5 | 1604.32Fish preparations; caviar substitutes, prepared from fish eggs | $134K | Duties → |
| 6 | 0304.79Fish fillets; frozen, of the families Bregmacerotidae, Euclichthyidae, Gadidae, ... | $126K | Duties → |
| 7 | 0305.32Fish fillets; dried, salted or in brine, but not smoked, of the families Bregmac... | $108K | Duties → |
| 8 | 0304.89Fish fillets; frozen, of fish n.e.c. in heading 0304.8 | $108K | Duties → |
| 9 | 1504.10Oils of fish; fish-liver oils and their fractions, whether or not refined, but n... | $70K | Duties → |
| 10 | 8423.81Weighing machines; other than personal, conveyor or constant weight scales, havi... | $58K | Duties → |
| 11 | 8431.39Machinery; parts of the machinery of heading no. 8428, (other than lifts, skip h... | $27K | Duties → |
| 12 | 1504.20Fats and oils and their fractions; of fish, (excluding liver-oils) | $14K | Duties → |
| 13 | 8423.90Weighing machines; weights of all kinds, parts of weighing machinery | $13K | Duties → |
| 14 | 8423.82Weighing machines; other than personal, conveyor or constant weight scales, havi... | $12K | Duties → |
| 15 | 7315.11Chain; articulated link, roller, of iron or steel | $12K | Duties → |
| 16 | 9015.80Surveying equipment; articles n.e.c. in heading no. 9015, including hydrographic... | $12K | Duties → |
| 17 | 8443.32Printing, copying, and facsimile machines; single-function printing, copying or ... | $10K | Duties → |
| 18 | 5608.19Twine, cordage or rope; knotted netting, for other than fishing, of man-made tex... | $8K | Duties → |
| 19 | 7310.29Tanks, casks, drums, boxes and similar containers for any material (excluding co... | $5K | Duties → |
| 20 | 2201.10Waters; mineral and aerated, including natural or artificial, (not containing ad... | $5K | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (Iceland port of departure). Trend compares 2023 vs 2022. Click any HS code for Brazil duty rates and Ex-Tarifário status.
Key product categories
| Product | Current duty | EFTA-Mercosur | Regulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish & seafood Cod, haddock, redfish, capelin, fish meal | 10% | 0% phasing | MAPA/DIPOA | View HS 03 → |
| Aluminum Aluminum ingots, billets (Alcoa, Rio Tinto) | 6-12% | 0% phasing | — | View HS 76 → |
| Fish meal & oil Fishmeal, fish oil for aquaculture feed | 6-10% | 0% phasing | MAPA | View HS 23 → |
| Animal products nec Fish roe, skins, collagen | 8-14% | Reduced | MAPA | View HS 05 → |
Fisheries: Iceland's core export
Iceland has 50 establishments authorized by MAPA/DIPOA for fisheries products (718 registrations). Marine products are Iceland's single largest export category:
- Atlantic cod (HS 0305): dried and salted cod for Brazil's bacalhau market. Iceland competes with Norway as a primary source.
- Haddock and redfish: frozen fillets for Brazilian supermarkets and food service.
- Capelin and fish meal (HS 2301): for aquaculture feed — Brazil's tilapia industry is growing.
- Sustainability: Icelandic fisheries are MSC-certified, a growing differentiator for Brazilian premium retail.
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA50 Icelandic facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Aluminum: clean energy advantage
Iceland smelts aluminum using 100% renewable energy (geothermal + hydro). Alcoa and Rio Tinto operate smelters that export to Brazil's automotive and packaging industries. The carbon footprint advantage is increasingly valued by Brazilian manufacturers with ESG commitments.
Regulatory requirements
- MAPA/DIPOA — all fish and seafood. 50 authorized establishments.
- Certificate of Origin — required from Icelandic customs for EFTA-Mercosur preferences.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Verify EFTA-Mercosur preferential rates for your NCM code
- Contact Íslandsstofa (Promote Iceland) for market support