Exporting from the UK to Brazil

The United Kingdom was historically one of Brazil's key European trading partners. Since Brexit, British goods no longer benefit from any EU-Brazil trade framework — and unlike their EU competitors, UK exporters now pay the full Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC). The UK-Mercosur trade deal remains under negotiation.

Key product categories and tariff strategy

The EU-Mercosur competitive gap

This is the central challenge for British exporters. Your EU competitors — especially Germany, France, and Italy — now pay lower tariffs that decrease every year:

For Scotch whisky, the gap is even more dramatic: UK pays 20% while EU wines and spirits phase to 0% over 10-12 years. Scotch — despite being the world's most exported whisky — has no geographic indication protection in Brazil under the EU-Mercosur agreement (since the UK is no longer an EU member).

Scotch whisky & British spirits

The UK is the world's largest spirits exporter, and Brazil is a growing premium spirits market. Current situation:

• Import duty: 20% — no preferential reduction available
• IPI: 30-40% — varies by alcohol content and product type
• No GI protection: "Scotch Whisky" is not among the 357 EU Geographic Indications protected under EU-Mercosur. Protection depends on Brazilian trademark law and existing registrations
• EU competitors: French Cognac, Irish Whiskey, Italian Grappa — all get tariff phase-out AND GI protection

Ex-Tarifário for British capital goods

Without a trade agreement, Ex-Tarifário is the UK's most powerful tariff tool. It provides immediate 0% import duty for capital goods with no Brazilian equivalent — and it's origin-neutral.

British products most likely to qualify:

• Rolls-Royce turbines and aerospace engines
• Oil & gas subsea equipment (key for Brazil's pre-salt fields)
• Mining and drilling machinery
• Medical imaging and diagnostic systems
• Specialized manufacturing equipment

Regulatory requirements

UK certifications (MHRA, BSI, UKCA) are not recognized in Brazil:

• ANVISA — pharmaceuticals, medical devices, cosmetics. MHRA approval does NOT replace ANVISA registration.
• INMETRO — electrical equipment, automotive parts. UKCA/BSI marking does NOT replace INMETRO.
• Anatel — all wireless devices. Ofcom/UK certification does not apply.
• MAPA — food products. Post-Brexit, UK-Brazil SPS arrangements are negotiated bilaterally, not through the EU.

Strategy for UK exporters

1. Ex-Tarifário first. For capital goods and IT equipment, this eliminates the 14-18% duty entirely.
2. UK-Mercosur negotiations. Monitor progress — a future deal would level the playing field with EU competitors.
3. Compete on uniqueness. Where UK products have no direct EU substitute (Rolls-Royce engines, certain pharmaceutical specialties), the tariff premium is justified.
4. Drawback — if your Brazilian customer re-exports, all import taxes on your inputs are recovered.
5. Local presence. Consider establishing a Brazilian subsidiary or partnering with distributors to share the tariff burden.

Practical next steps

1. Find your product's NCM code — enter your UK tariff code or HS number
2. Check Ex-Tarifário status — immediate 0% for qualifying goods
3. Calculate the full landed cost — all 7 Brazilian taxes included
4. Verify regulatory requirements — ANVISA, INMETRO, Anatel
5. Contact the BCC (British Chamber of Commerce in Brazil) or DIT for market entry support