Country Guide
Exporting from Norway to Brazil
EFTA-Mercosur preferential tariffs, 173 authorized seafood establishments, and opportunities for oil & gas equipment in Latin America's largest economy.
EFTA-Mercosur: in force since 2025Norway is a strategic supplier to Brazil in two key sectors: seafood (salmon, cod, dried fish) and energy (petroleum, offshore equipment, fertilizers from Yara). The EFTA-Mercosur agreement, effective since 2025, gives Norwegian exporters preferential tariff access — a significant advantage over competitors from countries without trade agreements, like Russia or China.
Your EFTA advantage
As an EFTA member, Norway benefits from the EFTA-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (in force since 2025). Industrial goods phase to 0% over 10-15 years. Pharmaceuticals get immediate tariff elimination. Fish and seafood get significant reductions. Combined with Brazil having 173 Norwegian establishments already authorized to export, the regulatory pathway is well-established.
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 guideKey product categories and tariff strategy
| Product | Current duty | EFTA-Mercosur | Regulation | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fish & seafood Salmon, cod, mackerel, herring, dried fish | 10% | 0% phasing | MAPA/DIPOA | View HS 03 → |
| Petroleum & gas Crude petroleum, LNG, petroleum coke | 0-6% | Already low | ANP | View HS 27 → |
| Fertilizers Nitrate-based fertilizers (Yara) | 0-6% | 0% | MAPA | View HS 31 → |
| Machinery Oil & gas equipment, marine equipment | 14% | 0% by 2035 | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Aluminum Aluminum ingots, plates, profiles (Hydro) | 6-12% | 0% phasing | — | View HS 76 → |
| Chemicals Silicon, inorganic chemicals (Elkem) | 0-14% | 0% phasing | IBAMA | View HS 28 → |
Seafood: Norway's strongest export to Brazil
Norway is one of the world's largest seafood exporters, and Brazil is a growing market. 173 Norwegian establishments are authorized by MAPA/DIPOA to export to Brazil — all in the fisheries sector (Pescados e Derivados), covering 2,572 product registrations.
Key species and products exported:
- Atlantic salmon (HS 0302/0304): Norway's flagship export. Fresh and frozen fillets for Brazil's growing sushi and fine dining markets.
- Atlantic cod (HS 0305): dried and salted cod (bacalhau) — culturally important in Brazil, consumed heavily during Easter and Christmas. Portugal re-exports much Norwegian cod to Brazil, but direct supply is growing.
- Mackerel and herring (HS 0303): frozen, for both human consumption and industrial use.
- Fish oil and meal (HS 1504/2301): for aquaculture feed and supplements.
Market access: already authorized
Norway has 173 establishments authorized by Brazil's DIPOA/SDA to export fishery products. This means the sanitary inspection equivalence is already established — Norwegian fish processing plants can ship directly to Brazil without additional certification per shipment. New establishments can apply through SIGSIF.
Bacalhau: the cultural connection
Brazil is one of the world's largest consumers of dried salted cod (bacalhau). While traditionally imported via Portugal, Norwegian cod is the primary raw material. The supply chain typically runs:
- Norwegian fishing vessels catch Atlantic cod in the Barents Sea and Norwegian Sea
- Fish is processed in Norway (dried, salted) or shipped fresh to Portugal for processing
- Final product enters Brazil as "bacalhau" — either direct from Norway or via Portugal
Direct exports from Norway to Brazil cut out the Portuguese middleman, reducing costs and delivery time. The EFTA-Mercosur agreement makes this route even more attractive.
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA173 Norwegian facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Oil, gas & offshore equipment
Norway's oil & gas expertise aligns with Brazil's massive pre-salt reserves. Equinor (formerly Statoil) already operates in Brazil, and Norwegian companies supply critical subsea and offshore equipment:
- Subsea equipment (HS 8413, 8481): pumps, valves, Christmas trees for deepwater operations
- Offshore platforms and modules (HS 8905): complete structures and components
- Marine vessels (HS 8901-8906): supply vessels, anchor handlers
- Oil & gas processing equipment: separators, heat exchangers — many qualify for Ex-Tarifário (0% duty)
Petrobras and its supply chain represent a massive market. Norwegian-origin companies like Aker Solutions and Subsea 7 already have significant Brazilian operations.
Fertilizers and aluminum: Yara and Hydro
Two Norwegian industrial giants have deep Brazil ties:
- Yara International: world's largest producer of nitrogen-based mineral fertilizers. Brazil is the world's 4th largest fertilizer consumer (agriculture = 25% of GDP). Yara has plants and operations in Brazil, but also exports from Norway.
- Norsk Hydro: operates the Alunorte alumina refinery in Barcarena, Pará — the world's largest. Also exports aluminum products from Norway.
EFTA-Mercosur: what it means for Norway
The EFTA-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2025. Key provisions for Norwegian exporters:
- Industrial goods: progressive tariff elimination over 10-15 years
- Pharmaceuticals: immediate tariff elimination on most pharmaceutical products
- Fish and seafood: significant tariff reductions, with some products reaching 0%
- Machinery and equipment: phased reduction, with capital goods potentially qualifying for Ex-Tarifário (immediate 0%) regardless
- Certificate of Origin: required from Norwegian customs or authorized exporters to claim preferential rates
Regulatory requirements
- MAPA/DIPOA — all animal-origin products (fish, seafood, fish oil). Norway already has 173 authorized establishments. New plants need SIGSIF registration.
- ANP — petroleum and natural gas products require ANP import authorization.
- INMETRO — oil & gas equipment, marine safety equipment, electrical components.
- IBAMA — chemicals and products with environmental impact require IBAMA license.
- MAPA (fertilizers) — fertilizer imports require registration with MAPA's fertilizer division.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your Norwegian HS code (same first 6 digits)
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — capital goods and equipment may qualify for immediate 0%
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Verify EFTA-Mercosur preferential rates for your NCM code
- Contact the Norwegian-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (NBCC) for market entry support