The Brazil RADAR License Guide for Global IT and Procurement Teams

Brazil is a key market for global IT infrastructure, with a rapidly growing tech sector and major data center expansion. If you work in global IT or procurement, you already know Brazil is one of the most complex and tightly regulated markets for importing high-value equipment like servers, switches, or GPUs. At the center of that complexity is Brazil’s Registro e Rastreamento da Atuação dos Intervenientes Aduaneiros (RADAR) license, a required government credential for clearing any shipment through customs.

Without a RADAR license, even a standard hardware deployment can be delayed for weeks or stopped altogether. If your company doesn’t have its Brazil RADAR license, or isn’t aware it needs one, your equipment may never clear Brazilian customs. In this guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about the RADAR license so that you can import your IT hardware into Brazil seamlessly.

What Is a RADAR License?

Brazil’s tax authority, Receita Federal, issues RADAR licenses to enable companies to import or export goods. A RADAR license is not optional. If your company is listed as the importer on a shipment, you must have an active RADAR license registered under your Brazilian tax ID, Cadastro Nacional de Pessoas Jurídicas (CNPJ). 

Who Needs a RADAR License?

In international shipping, the Importer of Record (IOR) is legally responsible for customs compliance, including duties, documentation, and approvals. While many countries allow companies to outsource this role, Brazil does not permit traditional third-party IOR services.

If your company wants to import hardware, it must be approved for RADAR. If you’re working with an import partner, both entities must hold active RADAR licenses. You can’t simply hire a freight forwarder or logistics provider to act as the IOR on your behalf.

What Happens If You Don’t Have a RADAR License?

Without a RADAR license, your shipment can’t clear Brazilian customs. It will be held in a bonded warehouse until the issue is resolved, or else returned or abandoned. Even with a license, you’ll need to adhere to your RADAR import limit. That limit is tied to your registration tier and resets every six months.

If you exceed your RADAR limit, use the wrong commercial structure, or submit incomplete documentation, your shipment may be held for weeks. For IT hardware, that can delay infrastructure rollouts or leave racks sitting empty.

RADAR Tiers and Import Limits in Brazil

Brazil’s RADAR system includes multiple tiers, each with a specific import limit over a six-month period (a “semester”). Your allowance depends on your company’s financial profile, tax filings, and local presence. If you exceed it, customs will block your shipment until the limit resets at the end of the semester. In general, larger businesses qualify for higher allowances:

• RADAR Express: Allows up to $50,000 USD in imports per semester. This tier requires a valid CNPJ, proof of local presence (such as a utility bill), and at least BRL 213,559 (~USD $37,000) in capitalization. It's typically used by smaller businesses or new importers with limited volume.

• RADAR Limited: Allows up to $150,000 USD in imports per semester. Companies must meet stricter financial and tax documentation requirements. Eligibility requires at least BRL 213,559 in funding and no more than BRL 640,679 (~USD $110,000).

• RADAR Unlimited: Provides unrestricted import capacity with no preset limit. Reserved for large, well-capitalized businesses with a strong track record in Brazil. Applicants must demonstrate at least BRL 640,679 in funding and submit extensive documentation, including formation documents, utility bills, tax filings, and contracts for warehouse or data center space.

Choosing the right RADAR tier depends on your company’s financial profile, tax history, and local presence in Brazil. Understanding the thresholds early helps you avoid customs issues and align your import plans with regulatory requirements.

Note: You may come across older RADAR classifications in Brazilian government documents, such as Simplified, Ordinary, Restricted, or Special. These terms refer to earlier versions of the system and don’t apply to most enterprise importers today.

For practical purposes, the tiers that matter are Express, Limited, and Unlimited. We’ve also excluded the Micro Entrepreneur (MEI) tier, which is only relevant to sole proprietors and very small businesses, and the Special designation, which applies only to NGOs and public-sector entities. Neither is relevant to the multinational teams this guide is written for.

Tax Credits for RADAR-Approved Importers

Companies approved for RADAR at the Limited or Unlimited tier may qualify for tax credits that reduce the cost of importing IT hardware. Businesses registered under Brazil’s Lucro Real or Lucro Presumido tax regimes can potentially offset federal taxes like PIS and COFINS on imported goods. These credits are not automatic and require careful tax planning, but they can significantly improve cost efficiency for companies with recurring import needs.

Commercial Structure Requirements for Imports into Brazil

Many multinational companies centralize procurement through their U.S. or regional headquarters to secure bulk pricing. These consolidated purchases often include hardware destined for offices or data centers in Brazil. While efficient, this structure creates a key compliance requirement: Brazil does not allow free-of-charge (FOC) imports, even between corporate affiliates.

To comply, the receiving Brazilian entity must issue a formal purchase order and define clear payment terms, such as net 30 or net 60. Customs requires the transaction to be documented and linked to a corresponding financial liability on the Brazilian side. In other words, your local branch must not only be RADAR-approved, but also able to purchase the equipment it receives.

Customs also expects the declared value of the hardware to reflect fair market pricing. If asked, you’ll need to support that valuation with documentation, typically a purchase order or invoice from the original U.S. vendor. If the hardware has been on your books for some time, a depreciation schedule may also be required to explain how the value was calculated.

If your company prefers not to create a payment obligation between entities, you can structure the transfer as a foreign investment or capital contribution. While this approach is legal, it requires additional regulatory filings and documentation to properly register the transfer with Brazilian authorities.

If you work with a global IT logistics provider or import partner, they can help advise you on how to structure your import commercially.

Alternatives to RADAR and Why They Rarely Work Long Term

Some companies explore alternatives to RADAR, especially when setting up initial operations in Brazil. While a few legal workarounds exist, most involve added complexity, limitations, or long-term compliance risks. Here are two commonly considered options:

• Leaseback models: In this structure, a third-party company imports the equipment into Brazil, retains legal ownership, and leases it back to your local entity. While legally compliant, it introduces added contractual and financial complexity. You’ll still need to prove that you’re using the equipment for internal operations, and you may lose flexibility when it comes to redeployment or asset management.

• Temporary imports: This option is available only if the hardware will remain in Brazil for a defined period, typically up to 10 years. It’s commonly used for staging equipment or short-term projects. The equipment must remain owned by the foreign entity and requires customs approval. Renewal and extension can be cumbersome, and permanent installations rarely qualify.

These alternatives are generally suited for edge cases. For most companies planning permanent infrastructure, data center deployments, or long-term operations, RADAR licensing is the most sustainable and compliant option.

Import partners can provide valuable services such as customs clearance for IT hardware, HS and ECCN code analysis, trade compliance, permit and license applications, pre-shipment product compliance, IT-specific project management (including data center coordination), enterprise solutions engineering (addressing finance and tax considerations), pre-export staging, and specialized insurance for IT shipments.

However, there’s no silver bullet when it comes to RADAR. Hiring an intermediary won’t eliminate your company’s compliance obligations. If you plan to import long-term, the most efficient approach is to register directly and manage the process at the source.

Brazil’s Customs Clearance: Green, Yellow, and Red Lanes

Once your shipment arrives in Brazil, the airline transfers it to a customs bonded warehouse. A licensed customs broker will register the shipment with SISCOMEX, the national foreign trade web portal managed by Receita Federal, submit the necessary documentation, and coordinate with customs officials. This begins the clearance process.

Brazil uses an automated system to assign each shipment to one of three lanes: green (immediate clearance), yellow (document review), or red (full inspection). Each lane has different timelines and risk factors, depending on your documentation, history, and declared value:

Green: Immediate clearance

No document or physical inspection is required. This typically takes 3–5 business days, assuming all paperwork is in order. It’s the best-case scenario and is usually reserved for low-risk, fully documented shipments.

Yellow: Document review

Customs officials may request additional paperwork to verify the declared value, ownership, or import purpose. This process typically takes around two weeks, depending on the backlog and how quickly the required documents are provided.

Red: Full inspection

Customs will physically inspect the shipment and review its documentation. This lane is assigned when the shipment is flagged for risk, such as inconsistencies, random checks, or because it’s your first time importing. Clearance can take 3–4 weeks or longer.

You can increase the likelihood of your shipment being processed in the green lane with proper diligence. During strikes, shipments that would typically be processed in the green lane may shift to the yellow lane. To minimize delays, ensure all documentation is prepared in advance (including RADAR credentials, commercial invoices, and payment terms) so customs officials can quickly verify and release the shipment.

Putting It All Together: How to Apply for RADAR

While importing to Brazil can be complex, the process is well-defined with clear documentation requirements. Now that you understand how RADAR licensing works, securing approval comes down to preparation and coordination. Here’s how to proceed, step by step:

1. Register a Brazilian entity. You’ll need a valid CNPJ and a local address, such as a traditional office, warehouse, or even a co-working space with the necessary documentation.

2. Gather the necessary documentation. This includes utility bills, tax filings, a lease agreement (or data center contract), and projected import volumes.

3. Choose your tier. Select the appropriate RADAR level based on your deployment plan and financial profile. If you’re working with a specialized import partner, they can help determine the right tier for you.

4. Submit your application through the SISCOMEX Portal. Receita Federal will review the materials through its customs portal. Your import partner can assist with preparing the required documents, submitting them, and following up.

5. Get approved and track your allowance. Once approved, your RADAR license will be active for 18 months. 

Understanding the Nota Fiscal

In Brazil, the Nota Fiscal is a government-registered document that triggers taxation and validates the legal transfer of goods. For any domestic transaction or movement of goods, the system requires the issuance and logging of a Nota Fiscal with Receita Federal.

If you’re delivering IT hardware from customs to a data center or secondary site, the Nota Fiscal proves the goods were legally imported and that any applicable taxes have been paid. It also verifies ownership. In many cases, data centers won’t accept delivery without it.

There are several types of Nota Fiscal, depending on the use case:

• For internal transfers (e.g., from customs to a data center), a non-taxable delivery version may apply.

• If the equipment is staying at your registered headquarters and matches your CNPJ address, a Nota Fiscal may not be required, though customs may request a formal declaration letter for confirmation.

• If you’re reselling or transferring ownership, a standard sales Nota Fiscal is required.

Determining which type of Nota Fiscal is required and ensuring the correct document accompanies each leg of the shipment is crucial. It also serves as an important safeguard in case of inspections during last-mile delivery.

Leverage RADAR for a Seamless Deployment

By properly registering your RADAR license, you unlock the ability to import IT hardware into Brazil efficiently and in full compliance with local regulations. This step ensures your shipments clear customs smoothly, avoiding unnecessary delays and additional costs. With the right RADAR tier and documentation in place, your IT infrastructure projects can move forward on time. Taking control of the RADAR process means you stay ahead of potential roadblocks, keeping your deployments seamless and your IT hardware on track for success.

Many multinational enterprises trust FGX to deliver seamless, best-in-class global IT shipping solutions for their infrastructure. We provide coverage to 174 countries and maintain a 99.98% customs clearance and delivery success rate even in highly regulated markets such as Brazil, India, and China. Please reach out if you’re interested in learning more.