How to Import a Chinese Electric Car into Brazil in 2026

Updated 27 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. 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 [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. São Paulo applied 18% to an individual's car import [8]. Other states: to be confirmed.
• AFRMM. 8% of sea freight [9].
• Mover rules. 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 Vitória federal court set the fine aside for one importer in Jun 2025; the current status is to be confirmed [11].
• 2027. A selective tax and the IBS and CBS taxes are due to replace existing ones. Their rates were undefined on 8 Oct 2026 [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, valid for the issue year; up to 2 units per model and 20 per year [13].
• CAT (Senatran). R$266; up to 60 days, plus 60 days after any request for documents [14]. For independent importers it covers only the VINs on the import document, 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.