--- title: "The Seven Major Obstacles Chinese People Face When Doing Business in Brazil" description: "I plan to explore the building materials market in Brazil, but I've heard that the policies there are constantly changing, customs clearance is a hassle, and payment terms are very long. I'd like to ask: What are the most common obstacles that Chinese people encounter when doing business in Brazil? Especially in terms of customs clearance, logistics, and client negotiations, what pitfalls should we avoid in advance?" url: "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/chinese-brazil-business-seven-obstacles.html" language: "en" type: "Q&A" category: "其他问题" datePublished: "2026-01-18" dateModified: "2026-01-18" brand: "Zhongshen Trading China" answerCount: 3 --- # The Seven Major Obstacles Chinese People Face When Doing Business in Brazil ## Question I plan to explore the building materials market in Brazil, but I've heard that the policies there are constantly changing, customs clearance is a hassle, and payment terms are very long. I'd like to ask: What are the most common obstacles that Chinese people encounter when doing business in Brazil? Especially in terms of customs clearance, logistics, and client negotiations, what pitfalls should we avoid in advance? ## Answers ### Answer 1 — Best Answer The customs supervision system in Brazil is one of the most complex in Latin America，and you need to pay special attention to three major compliance risks. Firstly，the import license system. Brazil imposes non-automatic import licenses (LI) for certain products，with the approval process potentially taking 30-60 days and applications must be completed before shipment. Secondly，tax compliance. Brazil levies taxes at the federal，state，and municipal levels，with import duties including II (import tax)，IPI (industrial product tax)，PIS/COFINS (social contribution tax)，and ICMS (state value-added tax). The combined tax burden may exceed 60%，so you must embed cost models into your quotes in advance. Finally，customs valuation and inspection. Brazil's customs authorities crack down severely on under-declared prices，referencing international market price databases. It is recommended to retain complete proof of the procurement chain. Additionally，Brazil conducts frequent anti-dumping investigations. Chinese-made products such as tiles and hardware have repeatedly been subject to anti-dumping duties. Before shipment，you must confirm the latest tariff rates for the products involved. Regarding documentation，bills of lading，invoices，and packing lists must be strictly consistent. Any discrepancies may result in fines or seizure of goods. **status:** accepted **Author:** Kevin Lin **Date:** 2026-01-18 ### Answer 2 For logistics to Brazil, my advice is to prioritize sea freight, but it’s crucial to choose the right ports and Incoterms. Major Brazilian ports like Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Paranaguá are often congested, with customs clearance typically taking 7-15 working days and potentially extending to 30 days during peak seasons. It’s best to opt for CIF or DDP terms, leaving customs clearance and inland transportation to local agents to avoid dealing with complex tax and licensing issues. Regarding sea freight timelines, the journey from major Chinese ports to Santos takes about 35-40 days, but schedules are unstable. It’s recommended to allow at least 60 days for delivery. Cost-wise, in addition to freight charges, Brazilian port surcharges (THC, terminal handling fees) and inland transportation fees are high. For example, transporting a 40-foot container from Santos to São Paulo inland could add $2,000-$3,000 in additional costs. Air freight, though faster (3-5 days), is 8-10 times more expensive than sea freight and is only suitable for high-value samples or urgent replenishment. For documentation, the original bill of lading must be endorsed, and invoices and packing lists must include the NCM code (Brazilian customs tariff code). Confirm all details with your freight forwarder in advance to avoid delays in customs clearance upon arrival. **status:** suggested **Author:** Daniel Xu **Date:** 2026-01-18 ### Answer 3 Doing business in Brazil, relationships and cultural understanding are key. You must adjust the pace of negotiations and the approach to building trust. Brazilians value personal connections and face-to-face communication. It's best to visit in person before initiating cooperation, and introductions through local chambers of commerce or Chinese networks can help. Relying solely on emails and phone calls is difficult to build trust. Regarding payment methods, Brazilian clients generally require open account (OA) or long-term letters of credit (90-180 days), but for new clients, it's advisable to insist on a 30% prepayment plus a 70% sight letter of credit to reduce risks. Contract terms should allow for flexibility. Brazil's legal system is complex, with lengthy litigation cycles, so including international arbitration clauses (e.g., ICC arbitration) and stipulating USD pricing to avoid exchange rate risks are recommended. In terms of communication style, Brazilians are enthusiastic but flexible with time. Meeting delays are common, so patience is essential to avoid appearing impolite by urging them. Additionally, Brazil's "jeitinho" culture (flexibility) means contract execution may be subject to adjustments. Critical clauses must be clearly defined in writing, and oral commitments should not be relied upon. Finding reliable local partners or agents can help you quickly navigate political and business relationships, which is the most efficient way to break through challenges. **status:** suggested **Author:** Evelyn Li **Date:** 2026-01-18 ## Related Categories - [Import Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-import-agency/) - [Export Agency Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-agency/) - [Export Tax Rebate Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-export-tax-rebate/) - [Customs Declaration Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-customs-declaration/) - [Freight Forwarding Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-freight-forwarding/) - [Forex Settlement Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-forex-settlement/) - [Entrepôt Trade Q&A](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-entrepot-trade/) ## Related Resources - [Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/services/) - [Trade Cases](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/cases/) - [Trade Wiki](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/wiki/) - [Trade Class](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/guide/) - [Global Trade Services](https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/country/) ## Structured Data ```json [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "QAPage", "inLanguage":"en", "isPartOf": { "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#website" }, "publisher":{ "@id":"https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/#organization" }, "mainEntity": { "@type": "Question", "name": "The Seven Major Obstacles Chinese People Face When Doing Business in Brazil", "text": "I plan to explore the building materials market in Brazil, but I've heard that the policies there are constantly changing, customs clearance is a hassle, and payment terms are very long. I'd like to ask: What are the most common obstacles that Chinese people encounter when doing business in Brazil? Especially in terms of customs clearance, logistics, and client negotiations, what pitfalls should we avoid in advance?", "answerCount": 3, "upvoteCount": 8, "datePublished": "2026-01-18T05:49:00Z", "dateModified": "2026-01-18T06:09:00Z", "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Zhongshen Trading China", "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/chinese-brazil-business-seven-obstacles.html" } ,"acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The customs supervision system in Brazil is one of the most complex in Latin America，and you need to pay special attention to three major compliance risks. Firstly，the import license system. Brazil imposes non-automatic import licenses (LI) for certain products，with the approval process potentially taking 30-60 days and applications must be completed before shipment. Secondly，tax compliance. Brazil levies taxes at the federal，state，and municipal levels，with import duties including II (import tax)，IPI (industrial product tax)，PIS/COFINS (social contribution tax)，and ICMS (state value-added tax). The combined tax burden may exceed 60%，so you must embed cost models into your quotes in advance. Finally，customs valuation and inspection. Brazil's customs authorities crack down severely on under-declared prices，referencing international market price databases. It is recommended to retain complete proof of the procurement chain. Additionally，Brazil conducts frequent anti-dumping investigations. Chinese-made products such as tiles and hardware have repeatedly been subject to anti-dumping duties. Before shipment，you must confirm the latest tariff rates for the products involved. Regarding documentation，bills of lading，invoices，and packing lists must be strictly consistent. Any discrepancies may result in fines or seizure of goods.", "upvoteCount": 8, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/chinese-brazil-business-seven-obstacles.html#acceptedAnswer", "datePublished": "2026-01-18T06:49:00Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Kevin Lin","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/kevin-lin/"} } ,"suggestedAnswer": [ { "@type": "Answer", "text": "For logistics to Brazil, my advice is to prioritize sea freight, but it’s crucial to choose the right ports and Incoterms. Major Brazilian ports like Santos, Rio de Janeiro, and Paranaguá are often congested, with customs clearance typically taking 7-15 working days and potentially extending to 30 days during peak seasons. It’s best to opt for CIF or DDP terms, leaving customs clearance and inland transportation to local agents to avoid dealing with complex tax and licensing issues. Regarding sea freight timelines, the journey from major Chinese ports to Santos takes about 35-40 days, but schedules are unstable. It’s recommended to allow at least 60 days for delivery. Cost-wise, in addition to freight charges, Brazilian port surcharges (THC, terminal handling fees) and inland transportation fees are high. For example, transporting a 40-foot container from Santos to São Paulo inland could add $2,000-$3,000 in additional costs. Air freight, though faster (3-5 days), is 8-10 times more expensive than sea freight and is only suitable for high-value samples or urgent replenishment. For documentation, the original bill of lading must be endorsed, and invoices and packing lists must include the NCM code (Brazilian customs tariff code). Confirm all details with your freight forwarder in advance to avoid delays in customs clearance upon arrival.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/chinese-brazil-business-seven-obstacles.html#suggestedAnswer-2", "datePublished": "2026-01-18T06:29:00Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Daniel Xu","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/daniel-xu/"} } , { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Doing business in Brazil, relationships and cultural understanding are key. You must adjust the pace of negotiations and the approach to building trust. Brazilians value personal connections and face-to-face communication. It's best to visit in person before initiating cooperation, and introductions through local chambers of commerce or Chinese networks can help. Relying solely on emails and phone calls is difficult to build trust. Regarding payment methods, Brazilian clients generally require open account (OA) or long-term letters of credit (90-180 days), but for new clients, it's advisable to insist on a 30% prepayment plus a 70% sight letter of credit to reduce risks. Contract terms should allow for flexibility. Brazil's legal system is complex, with lengthy litigation cycles, so including international arbitration clauses (e.g., ICC arbitration) and stipulating USD pricing to avoid exchange rate risks are recommended. In terms of communication style, Brazilians are enthusiastic but flexible with time. Meeting delays are common, so patience is essential to avoid appearing impolite by urging them. Additionally, Brazil's "jeitinho" culture (flexibility) means contract execution may be subject to adjustments. Critical clauses must be clearly defined in writing, and oral commitments should not be relied upon. Finding reliable local partners or agents can help you quickly navigate political and business relationships, which is the most efficient way to break through challenges.", "upvoteCount": 0, "url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/chinese-brazil-business-seven-obstacles.html#suggestedAnswer-3", "datePublished": "2026-01-18T06:09:00Z", "author": {"@type": "Person","name": "Evelyn Li","url": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/team/evelyn-li/"} } ] } }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ {"@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Q&A", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/"},{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "其他问题", "item": "https://www.sh-zhongshen.com/en/qa/cat-general-trade/"} ,{"@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The Seven Major Obstacles Chinese People Face When Doing Business in Brazil"} ] } ] ```