Checklist: Foreign Trade Company

Opening a foreign trade company in Brazil requires detailed planning and meeting specific legal requirements across multiple stages. This checklist was built by TRADEXA specialists to guide entrepreneurs from incorporating with the Board of Trade to their first import or export shipment. The full process takes 60 to 90 days on average and involves agencies such as the Receita Federal, Siscomex, the state Treasury department and ANVISA/MAPA for specific products. Following this step-by-step guide helps avoid delays, fines and rework, making sure your company is fully compliant and ready to operate internationally. The checklist is divided into five major stages: legal and tax setup of the company, accreditation in the Receita Federal's Siscomex system, choosing the ideal tax regime (Lucro Real, Presumido or Simples Nacional), building the operations team with a customs broker and a specialized accountant, and preparing for the first shipment including NCM classification, tax calculation and DI (Import Declaration) registration. Each stage includes the required documents, estimated timelines and links to the relevant agencies, plus practical tips to avoid the most common mistakes beginners make.