The search for international suppliers has never been more important for Brazilian companies. Whether it's diversification of sources, price competitiveness or access to products that don't exist on the domestic market, import operations are growing year on year.
But along with the opportunities comes a challenge that keeps many managers awake: taxation. A tax on imported products in Brazil is complex and full of variables that can turn an apparently viable operation into a financial loss.
In other words: understanding this structure is fundamental to making safe decisions, forecasting budgets and protecting business margins. If you want to know how these taxes work, and what will change with the Tax Reform from 2026, read on!
What does the tax on imported products mean?
When we talk about taxation on imported products, we are not referring to a single tax or fee. The term encompasses a set of federal and state taxes that are cumulatively levied on the import operation.
This means that each tax has its own calculation basis, rate and method of application, and often one tax serves as the basis for calculating another, creating a cascading effect that significantly increases the final cost of the goods.
But how is the tax on imported products calculated?
Taxation on imported products is based on the concept of customs value, which is the basis for calculating the main taxes. This value includes:
- Value of the goods (FOB or CIF price)
- International freight
- International insurance
- Other costs until arrival in Brazil
From this customs value, taxes are applied sequentially and cumulatively. In addition, the exchange rate used is that of the date of registration of the Import Declaration (DI) or DUIMP (Single Import Declaration), which adds another layer of unpredictability to the process.
For the manager, this means that the tax on imported products needs to be seen as a sum of interrelated factors, and not as a single, fixed rate. This understanding is the first step to avoiding surprises.
What are the main taxes levied on imported products?
Taxation involves a series of taxes that are levied at different times during the operation. The main ones are:
- II - Import Tax
It is levied directly on the customs value; its rate varies according to the NCM. It is the most traditional import tax.
- IPI - Tax on Industrialized Products
Applies to customs clearance. The rate also varies according to tax classification.
- PIS-Import and COFINS-Import
They are levied on the sum of the customs value + II + IPI. These are federal taxes with specific rules.
- ICMS on imports
It is a state tax and has a more complex calculation, as it is levied on the base itself plus all previous taxes, including itself.
- Siscomex fee
Administrative fee linked to the registration of the import declaration.
- AFRMM
Applied when maritime transport is used.
- Ancillary costs
The following directly influence the final cost, although they are not taxes: capatazias, warehousing, customs clearance, foreign exchange, insurance and freight.
It's important to stress that the complexity goes beyond the number of taxes to the way they relate to each other. An error in tax classification, for example, changes all the other calculations.
Why do taxes on imported products often lead to surprises?
Even experienced companies face difficulties in correctly predicting the total cost of imports. Among the most common factors are:
- Exchange rate variation, The calculation basis changes almost daily.
- NCM differences and updates, which change tax rates.
- No prior tax study, leading to incomplete estimates.
- Logistics costs within the calculation base, such as freight and insurance.
- Cascading taxation, especially in the ICMS.
- Tax classification errors, generating fines and reclassifications.
- Lack of complete simulations, This prevents budget predictability.
In short: managers suffer from surprises because they don't have a consolidated view of the total tax burden, something that is only possible through detailed technical analysis.
What will change with the 2026 Tax Reform in the taxation of imported products?
The Tax Reform, approved through Complementary Laws 214/2025 and 108/2024, brings significant changes to the Brazilian tax system. Although the main focus is on restructuring taxes on consumption, import operations will also be impacted.
Below, we explain the main changes, which enter a test period in 2026 and should be fully implemented by 2033.
What really changes?
Currently, taxation on imported products involves various federal and state taxes. With the reform, taxes on consumption will be unified into two taxes:
- IBS (Tax on Goods and Services) - state/municipal competence, replacing ICMS and ISS
- CBS (Contribution on Goods and Services) - of federal competence, replacing PIS and COFINS
In addition, the taxation model is also changing:
Place of import now depends on delivery of cargo
One of the most important changes is that the IBS rate will be defined by where the goods are delivered, and no longer by where they enter the country. This means that, regardless of where the cargo is nationalized, what matters is the final destination.
Postponement of tax payments for OAS
The reform brings one of the biggest benefits for companies certified as AEO (Authorized Economic Operator): the postponement of tax payments when cargo is nationalized.
For this to happen, both the importer and the freight forwarder need to be AEO certified. In addition, these companies will be entitled to waterborne clearance, which significantly speeds up the release of goods at ports.
And stay tuned: Afianci offers complete consultancy so that your company can become AEO and take advantage of these strategic benefits.
Insurance IOF no longer exists
With the reform, the IOF on international insurance will cease to exist and will be replaced by the IBS and CBS. Although there is still no full clarity on the impact, the expectation is for a possible increase in cargo insurance costs.
The higher the freight and insurance, the higher the customs value, and consequently the higher the tax.
Afianci: expertise to bring predictability and security to your imports
Taxing imported products requires technical knowledge, strategic vision and operational mastery. This is exactly where Afianci stands out as a full-service import and export partner.
With an integrated ecosystem, Afianci offers:
- Feasibility analysis with full tax study, with accurate simulations before you buy.
- Market Intelligence, offering market vision and strategic opportunities.
- Afianci Trading, This allows for operations on account, on order and supplier shielding.
- Tax classification, DUIMP, RADAR authorization, Drawback and Ex-Tariff management, ensuring correct framing.
- International logistics management, with cargo consolidation, insurance and end-to-end monitoring.
- Total transparency, with integrated communication and cost predictability.
If the goal of your business is to import safely, efficiently and without surprises, Afianci is ready to support every stage of your operation. Talk to our team!
