Country Guide
Exporting from Japan to Brazil
The Nikkei connection, automotive strategies, Ex-Tarifário for capital goods, and navigating full TEC tariffs without an FTA.
Updated May 2026
Japan is one of Brazil's top 10 trading partners, with bilateral trade around USD 12 billion annually. Brazil hosts the largest Japanese diaspora in the world (1.5 million Nikkei), creating unique cultural and business connections. However, like the US and China, Japan has no preferential trade agreement with Mercosur — Japanese goods pay the full Common External Tariff.
No preferential trade agreement
Japan-Mercosur EPA negotiations have been discussed but not concluded. Japanese goods pay the full TEC rate. EU competitors now benefit from declining tariffs under EU-Mercosur. Ex-Tarifário remains the primary route to zero duty for Japanese capital goods.
?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 | Import duty | Key consideration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicles & parts Toyota, Honda, auto parts, transmissions | 35% | High duty, local assembly | View HS 87 → |
| Machinery CNC machines, construction equipment, robots | 14% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Electrical equipment Semiconductors, electronic components | 0-16% | Anatel for wireless | View HS 85 → |
| Instruments Optical equipment, medical devices, cameras | 14-18% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 90 → |
| Iron & steel Specialty steel, stainless steel | 10-14% | Anti-dumping watch | View HS 72 → |
| Organic chemicals Specialty chemicals, pharmaceutical APIs | 0-14% | Standard duty | View HS 29 → |
| Rubber products Tires, industrial rubber, seals | 14-16% | Anti-dumping possible | View HS 40 → |
| Plastics Engineering plastics, polymers, films | 14-18% | Standard duty | View HS 39 → |
The Japan-Brazil business connection
Japan's relationship with Brazil is unique among Asian countries:
- 1.5 million Nikkei (Japanese descendants) in Brazil — the largest Japanese diaspora in the world, concentrated in São Paulo state
- CCIJB (Câmara de Comércio e Indústria Japonesa do Brasil) supports bilateral trade from São Paulo
- Over 700 Japanese companies operate in Brazil, with deep roots in automotive, electronics, and steel
- Toyota, Honda, and Nissan all manufacture vehicles in Brazil. Japanese auto parts are a major import category.
- JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) has long-standing development partnerships in Brazil
The automotive strategy
Japan's largest exports to Brazil are automotive-related — but the 35% import duty on finished vehicles makes local assembly essential:
- Finished vehicles: 35% II makes direct import economically unviable for volume models. Toyota (Sorocaba, Indaiatuba), Honda (Sumaré), and Nissan (Resende) all have Brazilian factories.
- Auto parts: 14-18% duty, but many parts qualify for Ex-Tarifário when no Brazilian equivalent exists (specialized transmissions, precision components, electronic modules).
- CKD/SKD kits: Importing vehicle components in kit form for local assembly — duty depends on the individual component NCM codes, often lower than the 35% on finished vehicles.
Ex-Tarifário: origin-neutral zero duty
Without a trade agreement, Ex-Tarifário is the most important tariff mechanism for Japanese exporters. It works identically whether the product comes from Japan, the US, or any other country.
Japanese products that commonly qualify:
- CNC machine tools and industrial robots (Fanuc, Mitsubishi, Mazak)
- Construction and mining equipment (Komatsu, Hitachi)
- Semiconductor manufacturing equipment
- Medical imaging systems (Olympus, Fujifilm, Shimadzu)
- Precision measuring and testing instruments
- Printing and packaging machinery
Zona Franca de Manaus
Several Japanese companies operate in Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM), taking advantage of massive tax incentives for local assembly:
- Honda motorcycles — Manaus is Honda's largest motorcycle plant outside Japan
- Electronics components — Japanese suppliers feed the ZFM electronics cluster
- If your product is a component for ZFM assembly, your effective tax rate drops dramatically
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA70 Japanese facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Regulatory requirements
- INMETRO — automotive parts, electrical equipment, electronics. JIS standards are not recognized — separate INMETRO certification required.
- Anatel — all wireless and telecommunications equipment. Japanese TELEC certification does not apply in Brazil.
- ANVISA — medical devices, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics. PMDA (Japan) approval does not exempt from ANVISA registration.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your HS code
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying capital goods
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Verify regulatory requirements (INMETRO, Anatel, ANVISA)
- Contact CCIJB (Japanese-Brazilian Chamber) or JETRO São Paulo for market support