Country Guide
Exporting from India to Brazil
India-Mercosur PTA preferential rates, pharmaceutical API market dominance, anti-dumping exposure, and how to calculate landed costs.
Updated May 2026
India is one of Brazil's fastest-growing trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding USD 15 billion annually. India has a limited preferential trade agreement with Mercosur (India-Mercosur PTA, in force since 2009) that covers approximately 450 tariff lines with modest tariff reductions. Indian exports to Brazil are led by pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and textiles — sectors where India is a global leader.
India-Mercosur PTA: limited preferential access
The India-Mercosur PTA (Preferential Trade Agreement) has been in force since 2009. It covers ~450 tariff lines with margins of preference of 10-100% on the MFN rate. Coverage is narrow — most Indian exports still pay full MFN rates. An expansion of the PTA to a comprehensive FTA is under negotiation.
Essential terms
?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: India → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023The 5.4% gap between Indian export values and Brazilian import values reflects the normal CIF/FOB spread plus freight and insurance costs.
Top Indian exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2710.19Petroleum oils and oils from bituminous minerals, not containing biodiesel, not ... | $1.5B | Duties → |
| 2 | 3808.91Insecticides; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to... | $620.1M | Duties → |
| 3 | 3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004,... | $309.1M | Duties → |
| 4 | 3808.92Fungicides; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Note 1 to this C... | $223.6M | Duties → |
| 5 | 3808.93Herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators; other than cont... | $134.7M | Duties → |
| 6 | 8708.99Vehicle parts and accessories; n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 | $133.8M | Duties → |
| 7 | 2942.00Organic compounds; n.e.c. in chapter 29 | $100.6M | Duties → |
| 8 | 8714.10Motorcycles (including mopeds); parts and accessories | $84.3M | Duties → |
| 9 | 7601.20Aluminium; unwrought, alloys | $79.7M | Duties → |
| 10 | 8503.00Electric motors and generators; parts suitable for use solely or principally wit... | $68.4M | Duties → |
| 11 | 8411.12Turbo-jets; of a thrust exceeding 25kN | $67.5M | Duties → |
| 12 | 4011.20Rubber; new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on buses or lorries | $64.0M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8409.99Engines; parts for internal combustion piston engines (excluding spark-ignition) | $50.9M | Duties → |
| 14 | 8701.93Tractors; n.e.c. in heading no 8701 (other than tractors of heading no 8709); of... | $48.0M | Duties → |
| 15 | 7325.91Iron; grinding balls and similar articles for mills, other than of non-malleable... | $42.0M | Duties → |
| 16 | 4011.70Rubber; new pneumatic tyres, of a kind used on agricultural or forestry vehicles... | $40.4M | Duties → |
| 17 | 9018.39Medical, surgical instruments and appliances; catheters, cannulae and the like | $38.8M | Duties → |
| 18 | 3004.20Medicaments; containing antibiotics (other than penicillins, streptomycins or th... | $38.1M | Duties → |
| 19 | 8708.29Vehicles; parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts | $36.5M | Duties → |
| 20 | 8431.49Machinery; parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in head... | $36.1M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (India 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 | MFN duty | PTA status | Key risk | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Organic chemicals APIs, intermediates, agrochemicals | 0-14% | Some PTA lines | Anti-dumping possible | View HS 29 → |
| Pharmaceuticals Generic drugs, APIs, formulations | 0-8% | Some at 0% | ANVISA mandatory | View HS 30 → |
| Cotton & textiles Cotton yarn, fabrics, clothing | 18-35% | No PTA coverage | High duty | View HS 52 → |
| Iron & steel Flat products, bars, wire | 10-14% | Limited PTA | Anti-dumping active | View HS 72 → |
| Auto parts Engine parts, transmission, brakes | 14-18% | No PTA coverage | Standard duty | View HS 87 → |
| Machinery Textile machinery, pumps, engines | 14% | Limited PTA | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Petroleum products Diesel, gasoline, petroleum oils | 0-6% | No PTA coverage | ANP license | View HS 27 → |
| Dyes & pigments Textile dyes, organic pigments | 14% | Some PTA lines | Standard duty | View HS 32 → |
Pharmaceuticals: India's strategic strength
India is the "pharmacy of the world" and a critical supplier to Brazil:
- APIs (Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients): Brazil imports a significant share of its pharmaceutical raw materials from India. Many APIs enter at 0% duty
- Generic drugs: Indian generics compete strongly in Brazil's public health procurement (SUS). Import duty is typically 0-8%
- ANVISA registration is mandatory — CDSCO (Indian) approval does not replace it. Budget 12-24 months for new drug registration
- GMP inspections: ANVISA conducts on-site inspections of Indian manufacturing facilities. This is a significant barrier — some Indian plants have failed ANVISA inspections
- India-Mercosur PTA: several pharmaceutical tariff lines receive preferential margins of 50-100%, effectively reducing duty to 0%
Anti-dumping risks
Like China, India faces multiple anti-dumping investigations and active duties in Brazil:
- Steel products: flat-rolled steel, wire, tubes — duties of 15-40% on top of MFN rate
- Chemicals: certain organic chemicals, rubber chemicals — active investigations
- Textiles: synthetic fibers and some finished textiles under scrutiny
Anti-dumping duties are investigated by DECOM (Departamento de Defesa Comercial) under SECEX/MDIC. Always verify current status before pricing — an anti-dumping duty can add 15-60% to your landed cost.
The EU-Mercosur competitive gap
EU competitors now have progressively lower tariffs on products where India competes directly:
| Year | India duty (HS 29 chemicals) | EU duty (same product) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 14% | 12% | 2% |
| 2030 | 14% | 4% | 10% |
| 2033 | 14% | 0% | 14% |
Illustrative rates for specialty chemicals. Indian products with India-Mercosur PTA coverage may have lower effective rates.
Ex-Tarifário and IT equipment
Ex-Tarifário provides 0% duty for capital goods and IT equipment with no Brazilian equivalent. Indian products that may qualify:
- Textile and garment manufacturing machinery
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment
- IT and software development infrastructure
- Agricultural processing equipment
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA188 Indian facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
- ANVISA — mandatory for pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics. ANVISA conducts on-site GMP inspections of Indian facilities
- INMETRO — electrical equipment, auto parts, textiles with safety requirements. BIS certification does NOT replace INMETRO
- MAPA — spices, tea, agricultural products. Phytosanitary certificate required from Indian authorities
- Anatel — telecom equipment and wireless devices require Brazilian certification
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your ITC-HS or HS code
- Check India-Mercosur PTA coverage for your specific tariff line (DGFT notification)
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying capital goods
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Verify regulatory requirements — ANVISA inspections can take 12-24 months
- Contact the India-Brazil Chamber of Commerce (IBCC) for market entry support