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Brazil Import Duty Rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles

HS 5208 / 5512 · Woven fabrics of cotton or synthetic fibres

Brazil MFN Import Duty Rate

26–35%

on CIF value

MERCOSUR: 0%

Brazil has very high textile tariffs — fabrics 26%, finished products 35%.

Rate varies — verify exact HS subheading at the official tariff schedule.

How duty is calculated

CIF value

Product cost + international freight + insurance

Import duty (26–35%)

Applied to CIF value. EU, UK, and most countries use CIF.

ICMS/IPI (18%)

Applied to CIF value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: fabrics & technical textiles worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. Brazil charges duty on the CIF value (goods + freight + insurance), so the duty base is US$10,900. Customs converts the amount to BRL at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 26%	At 35%
Import duty	$2,834	$3,815
ICMS/IPI (18%)	$2,472	$2,649
Total paid at the border	$5,306	$6,464

ICMS/IPI is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. The rate depends on the exact subheading, which is why the example shows both ends of the 26–35% range. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying fabrics & technical textiles correctly

Woven fabrics are classified by fibre: 5208–5212 cotton, 5407–5408 synthetic filament, 5512–5516 synthetic staple fibre; knitted fabrics are 6001–6006.

The fibre that predominates by weight decides the chapter
Coated or laminated fabrics move to 5903 or 5907
Technical textiles (filter fabrics, conveyor belts) go to 5911

Compliance. Fabric rates are high in many markets and rules of origin are strict (yarn-forward under USMCA), so origin evidence is decisive.

Importing into Brazil: what you need

Receita Federal (the federal revenue service) clears imports through Siscomex and the Portal Único; duty (Imposto de Importação) follows the Mercosur Common External Tariff (TEC).

Registration. RADAR authorisation in Siscomex for the importing company; some goods also need a prior import licence (LI).

Low-value shipments. Under the Remessa Conforme programme, cross-border purchases up to US$50 pay 20% import tax and those from US$50 to US$3,000 pay 60% minus a US$20 deduction; state ICMS applies on top.

Documents customs will ask for

Import declaration (DUIMP) in the Portal Único
Commercial invoice and packing list
Bill of lading or air waybill
Import licence (LI) where required
Mercosur certificate of origin for preferential treatment

Charges on top of duty

IPI federal excise, set per product in the TIPI table
PIS/COFINS-Importação, roughly 11.75% combined for most goods
ICMS state tax of roughly 17–23%, calculated 'por dentro' (included in its own base)
AFRMM merchant marine levy of 8% of ocean freight

Watch out. The import tax is the start, not the total. IPI, PIS/COFINS and ICMS stack on top, so the landed cost of a product with 20% duty is often 70–100% above its CIF value.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles in Brazil?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Fabrics & Technical Textiles (HS 5208 / 5512) in Brazil is 26–35% on the CIF value. Brazil has very high textile tariffs — fabrics 26%, finished products 35%.

Is ICMS/IPI charged on Fabrics & Technical Textiles imports to Brazil?

Yes. Brazil charges ICMS/IPI at 18% on the CIF value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Fabrics & Technical Textiles in Brazil?

Yes. MERCOSUR: 0%. MERCOSUR (Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay), MERCOSUR–Egypt, MERCOSUR–Israel are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Fabrics & Technical Textiles entering Brazil?

Duty is calculated on the CIF value of the goods. CIF value includes the product cost, international freight, and insurance. The MFN duty of 26–35% is applied to this value. ICMS/IPI (18%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.