Trade Policy and Market Access
The simple average MFN tariff applied in 2012 was 11.7 per cent. Brazil aims to strengthen regional economic integration and is a founding member of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR), which is the world's fourth-largest trading bloc after the European Union (EU), North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN). MERCOSUR consists of Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela that share a Common External Tariff (CET). MERCOSUR members agreed to allow member countries to increase import duty rates temporarily to a maximum rate of 35 per cent on 100 items until December 2015 (European Commission 2014). Brazil issued its list of 100 products subject to this tariff increase in 2012. Although it remains within the bound tariff limits, given the large disparities between bound and applied rates, the government often changes tariffs in order to stimulate domestic production and to manage price and supply. Brazil also has preferential trade agreements under MERCOSUR with India and Israel as well as under Latin American Integration Association (LAIA) with Guyana and Suriname. Additionally, MERCOSUR is currently negotiating with the European Union for a bi-regional Association Agreement.
European Commission, 2014, Trade Market Access Database
United States Trade Representative, 2013, National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers (Brazil)
WTO, 2013, Trade Policy Review (Brazil)
Standard Compliance and Other Relevant Import/Export Restrictions
The Brazilian Association for Technical Standardization is in charge of developing voluntary standards, while 31 federal agencies issue mandatory technical regulations, according to their respective competence. Brazil does not grant equivalence to technical regulations adopted by any trading partner, but accepts equivalence in test results. Between January 2009 and January 2013, Brazil adopted 782 standards, 359 technical regulations, including those harmonized at MERCOSUR level, and 53 compulsory conformity assessment procedures. Moreover, the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply (MAPA), through its Secretariat of Agricultural Protection (SDA), is responsible for the protection of animal and plant health; the control of the sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) aspects of production; and international trade. One of the government’s concerns is restrictions imposed on imports of food products made with Brazilian beef meat and bones (hereinafter, Brazilian beef) by eight WTO Members: China, Japan, Jordan, Peru, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea and Taiwan.
WTO, 2013, Trade Policy Review (Brazil)