Country Guide
Exporting from South Korea to Brazil
Samsung & LG's ZFM strategy, anti-dumping risks, Mercosur-Korea FTA status, and the growing EU tariff gap.
Updated May 2026
South Korea is a major trading partner for Brazil, with bilateral trade around USD 12 billion annually. Korean companies — led by Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and Kia — have a massive presence in Brazil, particularly in the Zona Franca de Manaus. Unlike EU exporters, Korea has no preferential trade agreement with Mercosur, though negotiations for a Mercosur-Korea FTA have been ongoing.
Mercosur-Korea FTA: under negotiation
Mercosur and South Korea have been negotiating a free trade agreement since 2018. While not yet concluded, this could eventually provide preferential tariff access. Until ratified, Korean goods pay the full TEC rate. Monitor MDIC announcements for updates.
Trade Data: South Korea → Brazil
Source: UN Comtrade 2023Brazil reports 13.3% more imports from South Korea than South Korea reports in exports. This CIF/FOB spread is typical — Brazil values at CIF (including freight & insurance), while South Korea values at FOB (port of departure). Large gaps can also indicate re-exports through third countries.
Top Korean exports to Brazil by value
2023 FOB values in USD| # | Product | 2023 Value | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8542.31Electronic integrated circuits; processors and controllers, whether or not combi... | $443.3M | Duties → |
| 2 | 8542.32Electronic integrated circuits; memories | $314.5M | Duties → |
| 3 | 8708.40Vehicle parts; gear boxes and parts thereof | $291.3M | Duties → |
| 4 | 8407.34Engines; reciprocating piston engines, of a kind used for the propulsion of vehi... | $194.3M | Duties → |
| 5 | 8708.99Vehicle parts and accessories; n.e.c. in heading no. 8708 | $167.2M | Duties → |
| 6 | 3808.91Insecticides; other than containing goods specified in Subheading Notes 1 & 2 to... | $115.4M | Duties → |
| 7 | 9018.90Medical, surgical or dental instruments and appliances; n.e.c. in heading no. 90... | $72.2M | Duties → |
| 8 | 8542.39Electronic integrated circuits; n.e.c. in heading no. 8542 | $69.0M | Duties → |
| 9 | 3002.15Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological produc... | $64.0M | Duties → |
| 10 | 3903.30Styrene polymers; acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) copolymers, in primary f... | $63.1M | Duties → |
| 11 | 3906.90Acrylic polymers; (other than polymethyl methacrylate), in primary forms | $55.3M | Duties → |
| 12 | 8524.91Flat panel display modules, whether or not incorporating touch-sensitive screens... | $54.2M | Duties → |
| 13 | 8807.30Aircraft and spacecraft; parts of aeroplanes, helicopters or unmanned aircraft n... | $48.2M | Duties → |
| 14 | 3002.49Toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excluding yeasts) and similar products; n.e... | $42.0M | Duties → |
| 15 | 7210.70Iron or non-alloy steel; flat-rolled, width 600mm or more, painted, varnished or... | $39.8M | Duties → |
| 16 | 8415.90Air conditioning machines; with motor driven fan and elements for temperature co... | $39.4M | Duties → |
| 17 | 3002.12Blood, human or animal, antisera, other blood fractions and immunological produc... | $38.1M | Duties → |
| 18 | 8703.40Vehicles; with both spark-ignition internal combustion reciprocating piston engi... | $36.0M | Duties → |
| 19 | 7208.39Iron or non-alloy steel; in coils, without patterns in relief, flat-rolled, of a... | $34.2M | Duties → |
| 20 | 8708.29Vehicles; parts and accessories, of bodies, other than safety seat belts | $32.0M | Duties → |
Values in USD, FOB (South Korea port of departure). Trend compares 2023 vs 2022. Click any HS code for Brazil duty rates and Ex-Tarifário status.
?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 risk | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics Smartphones, displays, semiconductors, batteries | 0-20% | Anatel + INMETRO | View HS 85 → |
| Vehicles & parts Hyundai/Kia, auto parts, EV batteries | 35% | High duty | View HS 87 → |
| Machinery Industrial equipment, ship engines, pumps | 14% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
| Iron & steel Steel plates, coils, specialty steel | 10-14% | Anti-dumping active | View HS 72 → |
| Plastics PET, polypropylene, engineering plastics | 14-18% | Anti-dumping possible | View HS 39 → |
| Organic chemicals Petrochemicals, intermediates | 0-14% | Standard duty | View HS 29 → |
| Instruments Medical devices, measuring instruments | 14-18% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 90 → |
| Steel articles Tubes, pipes, structural steel | 14-18% | Anti-dumping watch | View HS 73 → |
Zona Franca de Manaus: the Korean hub
Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM) is the center of Korean operations in Brazil. The tax savings from local assembly make it the primary strategy for Korean electronics and appliance manufacturers:
- Samsung — smartphones, TVs, displays, air conditioners, and home appliances. Samsung's Manaus operations are among its largest outside Korea.
- LG — TVs, monitors, air conditioners, washing machines. LG has multiple factories in the ZFM industrial district.
- Component suppliers — dozens of Korean component manufacturers operate in Manaus to supply Samsung and LG assembly lines.
If you're a Korean component supplier:
Components shipped to ZFM for assembly enjoy II exemption, IPI reduction, and ICMS credits — even without a trade agreement. The effective tax burden for ZFM inputs is a fraction of regular import taxes. Contact SUFRAMA for industrial project approval.
Anti-dumping: a significant risk
Korean steel and chemical products face active anti-dumping measures in Brazil:
- Steel products — certain steel plates, coils, and specialty steel from Korea are subject to anti-dumping duties
- PET resins — Korean PET has faced anti-dumping investigations
- Chemical products — certain industrial chemicals under scrutiny
Anti-dumping duties can add 15-60%+ on top of regular import duty. Always verify current anti-dumping status before quoting prices. Check with DECOM (Departamento de Defesa Comercial) under SECEX/MDIC.
The EU competitive gap
Korean exporters now face the same structural disadvantage as Chinese, American, and Japanese competitors — EU goods are getting progressively cheaper to import:
| Year | Korean duty (HS 85 electronics) | EU duty (same product) | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 16% | 14.4% | 1.6% |
| 2030 | 16% | 6.4% | 9.6% |
| 2036 | 16% | 0% | 16% |
Illustrative rates for typical electrical equipment. Actual rates vary by NCM code.
A Mercosur-Korea FTA would close this gap — but until ratified, Korean exporters must compete with full tariffs while EU competitors pay less every year.
Ex-Tarifário: available now
Ex-Tarifário provides immediate 0% import duty for capital goods and IT/telecom equipment with no Brazilian equivalent. It's origin-neutral and doesn't require a trade agreement.
Korean products that commonly qualify:
- Shipbuilding equipment and marine engines
- Semiconductor and display manufacturing equipment
- Industrial automation and robotics
- Telecommunications infrastructure
- Battery manufacturing equipment (growing sector)
MAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA19 South Korean facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code — enter your HS code
- Check for active anti-dumping duties on your product (DECOM/SECEX database)
- Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying products
- Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
- Contact KOTRA São Paulo or the Korean-Brazilian Chamber for market support