Country Guide
Exporting from Italy to Brazil
EU-Mercosur benefits, wine and machinery tariff reductions, and the Italian-Brazilian cultural connection that gives you an edge.
EU-Mercosur: in force since May 2026Italy is Brazil's second-largest EU trading partner and home to one of the largest Italian diaspora communities in the world — São Paulo alone has over 3 million people of Italian descent. The EU-Mercosur agreement now gives Italian companies the same preferential tariff access as other EU exporters, creating new opportunities across machinery, automotive, food, and fashion.
Your EU advantage
As an EU exporter, you benefit from the EU-Mercosur agreement: tariff elimination on 91% of goods over 10-15 years. Italian ceramics, machinery, wine, and auto parts all benefit. Combined with Ex-Tarifário for capital goods, many Italian products can enter Brazil at zero duty.
Trade Data: Italy → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Top Italian exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3002.41Vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar pro... | $127.1M | Duties → |
| 2 | 8708.99Vehicle parts and accessories; n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 | $119.5M | Duties → |
| 3 | 8409.91Engines; parts, suitable for use solely or principally with spark-ignition inter... | $112.9M | Duties → |
| 4 | 8708.50Vehicle parts; drive-axles with differential, whether or not provided with other... | $109.3M | Duties → |
| 5 | 8483.40Gears and gearing; (not toothed wheels, chain sprockets and other transmission e... | $103.1M | Duties → |
| 6 | 8481.80Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances; for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vat... | $89.9M | Duties → |
| 7 | 8408.20Engines; compression-ignition internal combustion piston engines (diesel or semi... | $88.5M | Duties → |
| 8 | 8422.40Machinery; for packing or wrapping | $79.3M | Duties → |
| 9 | 8708.29Vehicles; parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts | $75.6M | Duties → |
| 10 | 3002.15Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological produc... | $72.4M | Duties → |
| 11 | 3004.90Medicaments; consisting of mixed or unmixed products n.e.c. in heading no. 3004,... | $61.5M | Duties → |
| 12 | 8455.90Metal-rolling mills; parts thereof | $57.9M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8479.89Machines and mechanical appliances; having individual functions, n.e.c. or inclu... | $55.7M | Duties → |
| 14 | 8708.40Vehicle parts; gear boxes and parts thereof | $55.2M | Duties → |
| 15 | 0808.10Fruit, edible; apples, fresh | $54.3M | Duties → |
| 16 | 8407.34Engines; reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehi... | $53.0M | Duties → |
| 17 | 2941.90Antibiotics; n.e.c. in heading no. 2941 | $51.4M | Duties → |
| 18 | 8431.49Machinery; parts of machines handling earth, minerals or ores and n.e.c. in head... | $50.4M | Duties → |
| 19 | 7113.11Jewellery; of silver, whether or not plated or clad with other precious metal, a... | $41.2M | Duties → |
| 20 | 8537.10Boards, panels, consoles, desks and other bases; for electric control or the dis... | $41.1M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (Italy 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 | Ex-Tarifário? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machinery Packaging, food processing, textile machines | 14% | 0% by 2036 | Many qualify | View HS 84 → |
| Vehicles & parts Fiat parts, luxury cars, auto components | 35% | 0% by 2041 (TRQ) | Parts only | View HS 87 → |
| Pharmaceuticals Generic APIs, branded drugs, biologics | 0-8% | Already low | No | View HS 30 → |
| Ceramics Ceramic tiles, sanitary ware, tableware | 12-18% | 0% by 2033 | No | View HS 69 → |
| Steel articles Tubes, pipes, fittings, fasteners | 14-18% | 0% by 2033 | No | View HS 73 → |
| Beverages Wine, spirits, prosecco, vermouth | 20-27% | TRQ + phase-out | No | View HS 22 → |
| Footwear Leather shoes, luxury footwear | 35% | Partial phase-out | No | View HS 64 → |
| Instruments Medical devices, optical, lab equipment | 14-18% | 0% by 2036 | Many qualify | View HS 90 → |
The Italian-Brazilian connection
The Italy-Brazil trade relationship is uniquely deep, driven by cultural and immigration ties:
- 30 million Brazilians are of Italian descent — the largest Italian diaspora worldwide
- Italcam (Italian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce) operates from São Paulo with 600+ member companies
- Strong presence in: automotive (Fiat/Stellantis is Brazil's #1 carmaker), food (Barilla, Ferrero, Lavazza), fashion, and machinery
- Italy is consistently among Brazil's top 10 trading partners, with bilateral trade around EUR 10 billion
EU-Mercosur: key sectors for Italy
The agreement creates significant opportunities in sectors where Italy has comparative advantage:
- Wine & spirits (HS 22): Tariff-rate quotas for wine with progressive tariff elimination. Italian wine competes with Chilean and Argentine wine that already had zero tariffs — EU-Mercosur levels the playing field.
- Machinery (HS 84): Italian packaging, food processing, and textile machinery are highly sought after in Brazil. 93% of tariff lines reach 0% within 10 years.
- Automotive (HS 87): Stellantis already manufactures in Brazil, but Italian-made specialty vehicles and parts benefit from the 15-year phase-out and TRQ.
- Ceramics (HS 69): Italian ceramic tiles face 12-18% duty today — phasing to 0% within 7 years gives a significant edge over Chinese competitors who pay full TEC + potential anti-dumping.
- Food (HS 04, 15, 16, 19): Olive oil, pasta, cheese, and processed foods. GI protections in the agreement protect designations like Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
Certificate of Origin required. To claim preferential rates, obtain a Certificate of Origin from your local Camera di Commercio or use self-declaration as an authorized exporter.
Geographical Indications protection
The EU-Mercosur agreement protects over 350 European GIs in Brazil. Key Italian designations now protected:
- Parmigiano Reggiano, Grana Padano, Gorgonzola, Mozzarella di Bufala Campana
- Prosciutto di Parma, Prosciutto San Daniele
- Chianti, Barolo, Prosecco, Brunello di Montalcino
- Aceto Balsamico di Modena
This means Brazilian producers can no longer use these names for local products — a competitive advantage for authentic Italian exports.
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA523 Italian facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
- ANVISA — food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics. EU-Mercosur includes GMP mutual recognition provisions that may speed up pharma approvals.
- INMETRO — electrical equipment, automotive parts, construction materials. CE marking does NOT replace INMETRO.
- MAPA — all food and agricultural products (wine, olive oil, cheese, cured meats). Requires phytosanitary/sanitary certificates and establishment pre-approval.
?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 TARIC or HS code
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying capital goods
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Contact your Camera di Commercio about the EU-Mercosur Certificate of Origin
- Connect with Italcam São Paulo for Brazilian market entry support