Layer 5: Compliance
MAPA: Agricultural Product Imports
Brazil has some of the world's strictest agricultural import controls. MAPA regulates all food, animal products, and plant-derived goods — and the exporting country must be pre-approved.
MAPA (Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento) oversees the sanitary and phytosanitary safety of all agricultural imports. Brazil's extensive agricultural sector and its position as a major food exporter make it particularly vigilant about protecting domestic production from pests and diseases.
Three categories of MAPA-regulated products
Animal products
Meat, dairy, eggs, honey, fish, leather, gelatin, animal feed, veterinary products
Key: Exporting country AND establishment must be pre-approved by MAPA
HS chapters: 01-05, 15-16
Plant products
Fresh fruits, vegetables, seeds, grains, wood, flowers, tobacco, spices
Key: Phytosanitary certificate from origin country required
HS chapters: 06-14, 44
Processed food
Canned food, beverages, confectionery, processed grains, pet food
Key: MAPA registration + ANVISA label approval (dual regulation)
HS chapters: 16-22
The country pre-approval requirement
This is the biggest barrier for agricultural exporters: Brazil only accepts animal products from countries and specific establishments that have been approved through a bilateral veterinary or phytosanitary agreement. The process:
- Government-to-government negotiation — MAPA and the exporting country's agricultural authority negotiate a health protocol (this can take years)
- Risk analysis (ARP) — MAPA conducts a pest/disease risk analysis for the specific product from the specific country
- On-site audit — MAPA inspectors may visit the exporting country to verify the veterinary/phytosanitary system
- Establishment approval — for animal products, individual processing plants/slaughterhouses must be approved and listed by MAPA
- Protocol publication — once approved, the health certificate model and conditions are published by MAPA
Check before you ship
Before attempting to export agricultural products to Brazil, verify that: (1) your country has an active health protocol with Brazil for your specific product, (2) your establishment is listed in MAPA's approved facility database, and (3) you can obtain the correct health certificate model from your national authority.
Import process for agricultural products
- Obtain Import License (LI) — filed through Siscomex before shipment. MAPA reviews (VIGIAGRO system) within 5–15 days. Non-automatic license.
- Health certificate from origin — the exporting country's official veterinary or phytosanitary authority issues the certificate using the model agreed with MAPA.
- Ship with proper documentation — health certificate, commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading. Cold chain documentation for perishables.
- VIGIAGRO inspection at port — MAPA inspectors at the port of entry verify documents, inspect the goods, and may collect samples for laboratory analysis.
- Release or detention — if compliant, goods are released. If non-compliant (pest detected, documents incorrect, wrong temperature), goods can be returned, destroyed, or treated at the importer's cost.
Quick reference
?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 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 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 guideEU-Mercosur: agricultural implications
The EU-Mercosur agreement includes significant agricultural provisions:
- Tariff-Rate Quotas (TRQs) — EU gets preferential quotas for cheese (30,000 tons), wine, spirits, and other products
- Geographic Indications (GIs) — Brazil recognizes and protects EU GIs (Champagne, Prosciutto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano, etc.)
- SPS cooperation — commitment to simplify phytosanitary approvals, but country pre-approval still required
- Wine and spirits: tariff elimination over 10–12 years for EU wines; recognition of EU oenological practices