Country Guide
Exporting from Switzerland to Brazil
Pharmaceutical powerhouse with EFTA-Mercosur FTA. Roche and Novartis dominate bilateral trade, complemented by chemicals and precision engineering.
EFTA-Mercosur FTA signedSwitzerland punches far above its population size as Brazil's 21st largest import origin — almost entirely driven by pharmaceuticals. Roche (Basel) and Novartis (Basel) are among Brazil's largest pharmaceutical suppliers. The EFTA-Mercosur FTA, signed in 2019 and provisionally applied, provides Swiss companies with tariff preferences distinct from (but parallel to) EU-Mercosur.
EFTA-Mercosur FTA
Switzerland benefits from the EFTA-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement signed in 2019. While separate from EU-Mercosur, it provides comparable tariff reduction schedules for industrial goods. Swiss pharmaceutical exports — already at 0-8% duty — benefit from immediate or near-term elimination.
Key product categories and tariff strategy
| Product | Import duty | Key consideration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals Immunologicals, antisera, medicaments | 0-8% | ANVISA mandatory | View HS 30 → |
| Organic chemicals Hydrazine derivatives, nucleic acids, amides | 0-14% | Industrial use | View HS 29 → |
| Aircraft & parts Aircraft components, helicopters | 0-14% | Ex-Tarifário likely | View HS 88 → |
| Coffee Roasted coffee (Nestlé/Nespresso) | 10% | Re-export | View HS 09 → |
| Watches Luxury watches, movements | 18-20% | High duty | View HS 91 → |
| Machinery Precision instruments, turbines | 14% | Ex-Tarifário possible | View HS 84 → |
Pharmaceuticals: 80%+ of bilateral trade
Swiss pharmaceutical exports to Brazil exceed $4B annually, making it the most concentrated country-product relationship:
- Roche: oncology drugs, diagnostics, biologics — major ANVISA registrations
- Novartis: immunologicals, biosimilars, ophthalmology
- Immunologicals (HS 3002): over $1.2B — monoclonal antibodies, vaccines
- Medicaments (HS 3004): over $370M — packaged pharmaceutical products
- ANVISA registration mandatory for all pharmaceutical products. GMP mutual recognition under EFTA-Mercosur may accelerate approvals
Specialty chemicals
Swiss chemical companies (Syngenta, Clariant, previously Ciba) are major suppliers of crop protection and industrial chemicals:
- Crop protection: Syngenta (now Chinese-owned but Swiss-headquartered) produces agrochemicals for Brazil's massive agricultural sector
- Specialty chemicals: flavors, fragrances, performance chemicals (Givaudan, Firmenich)
- Low tariffs: most chemical inputs face 0-14% import duty
Watches and luxury goods
Swiss watches face significant tariff barriers in Brazil:
- 18-20% import duty on finished watches and movements
- IPI: additional excise tax on luxury watches
- High cascading taxes: a Swiss watch can accumulate 50-60% in total taxes between duty, IPI, PIS, COFINS, and ICMS
- No Ex-Tarifário: consumer goods do not qualify
Coffee: the Swiss re-export paradox
Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer, yet it imports roasted coffee from Switzerland — primarily Nestlé/Nespresso capsules processed from Brazilian green beans:
- Roasted coffee (HS 0901): over $118M — Nespresso capsules and specialty roasts
- 10% import duty — controversial given Brazil's coffee production dominance
- Value-added re-export: Brazilian green beans exported to Switzerland, processed into capsules, sold back to Brazil at premium
?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 guideMAPA-authorized establishments
Source: SIGSIF/DIPOA69 Swiss facilities are authorized by Brazil's Ministry of Agriculture to export animal products.
Practical next steps
- Find your product's NCM code
- Check EFTA-Mercosur preferential rate for your product
- Check Ex-Tarifário status for capital goods and machinery
- Calculate the full landed cost
- Contact the Swiss-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce (Swisscam) for market entry support