How to Import a Chinese Electric Car into Brazil in 2026

Updated 30 Oct 2026. CRAVEUO EV Export helps buyers outside China buy Chinese electric cars. We are not an authorised dealer of any car brand and do not handle Brazilian customs, so use a licensed Brazilian customs broker. Nothing here is a promise or a quote.

Short answer

A private buyer can import a new Chinese electric car into Brazil for own use, but import tax is 35% from July 2026 and used cars are banned [1][2][4]. IPI, PIS/COFINS and state ICMS come on top, and registration needs a Senatran CAT that can be refused [5][8][14]. Nobody can promise the registration result.

Who can import, and used cars

• Individuals may import for own use, not for commercial purposes [3].
• Brazil does not authorise imports of used consumer goods. Exceptions include collector vehicles over 30 years old, inheritance and adapted cars of disabled owners moving to Brazil [4]. The rule does not define "used", so a car already registered in China may count as used: to be confirmed with your broker.

Taxes in 2026

• Import tax. Electric cars: 10% (Jan 2024), 18% (Jul 2024), 25% (Jul 2025), 35% (Jul 2026) [1]. In June 2026 Gecex kept the schedule: fully built cars pay 35% from July 2026, with no quota [2].
• IPI. Not verified: we could not open Decree 12.549/2025 on 30 Oct 2026, so confirm these figures with your broker. Base 6.3%, minus 2.0 points for electric, then a power adjustment of -2.15 to +6.5 points. Efficiency, safety and recycling credits need documents. These rules run to 31 Dec 2026 [5]. IPI applies to private imports, according to a press report of an STF ruling [6].
• PIS/COFINS. Rates are in Law 10.865/2004, art. 8. We could not confirm which rate pair applies to cars [7].
• ICMS. A state tax. In a 2013 reply about a combustion car (NCM 8703.24.10), São Paulo applied 18% to an individual's import [8]. Other states and electric cars: to be confirmed.
• AFRMM. 8% of sea freight [9].
• Mover rules. Not verified: we could not open Decree 12.435/2025 on 30 Oct 2026, so confirm the start date, the 20% fine and its base with your broker. Since 1 Jun 2025, imported new vehicles must meet efficiency, emissions and recyclability levels. Importers without a registry pay a 20% compensatory fine and must inform the brand's authorised importer, if any [10]. A legal news site reported in Jun 2025 that a Vitória federal court set the fine aside for one independent importer in a preventive mandado de segurança. The ruling date and any appeal are to be confirmed [11].
• 2027. Autodata reported on 8 Oct 2026 that Anfavea, the carmakers' association, expects no selective tax on vehicles in January 2027, with February the earliest date. If the provisional measure does not pass by 31 Dec 2026, it may slip to 2028. IBS and CBS are planned to start on 1 Jan 2027, and their rates were still uncertain [12], so a car cleared around the year-end may need recalculating.

Certification and registration

• LCVM (IBAMA). Required before the import licence; R$721.77, plus R$721.77 for the noise declaration (DA) on the same payment slip and a separate ATC technical analysis fee (amounts from an IBAMA page updated in Jun 2024, so they may have changed); valid for the issue year; up to 2 units per model and 20 per year [13].
• CAT (Senatran). R$266 [14]. Senatran has up to 60 days to issue it. If it asks for documents, you have 60 days to reply or the request is rejected and closed, and Senatran then has up to 60 more days [15]. For independent importers it covers only the VINs on the import document and is limited to 2 units per make, model and version and 20 per importer per year; test samples must be for the Brazilian market, and a CAT can be refused or cancelled [15]. ITL labs, accredited by INMETRO [16], may issue technical reports; the electric-car test list is to be confirmed. Senatran is the former Denatran.
• Clearance documents. Bill of lading, commercial invoice, packing list, proof of origin [17], plus LCVM, IBAMA licence and any Mover fine receipt.

China export side

• Pure electric cars need an export licence since 1 Jan 2026 [18].
• Cars registered under 180 days need the manufacturer's after-sales confirmation naming the destination country (circular 648) [19].
• Batteries ship as UN 3556, Class 9, mandatory from 1 Jan 2026 [20].

How to work out your total

Per US$10,000 of CIF value, import tax alone is US$3,500. Add the other lines, LCVM, CAT, broker, port and registration costs. See the FOB, CIF and landed price guide.

Door delivery

Our default quote is delivered to your door (DAP), with a local customs agent we recommend. Brazilian duties and taxes are paid by you. We take no payment before a signed contract. Browse models.