Entering Brazil from China: field guides with dates and sources
The playbooks are the field guides beonshore writes for Chinese executives working on Brazil: each one carries a publication date, the source of every number and the licensed professional who executes each step. There are 4 today, covering start-up requirements, WhatsApp sales, the tax reform and machinery imports, and they are reviewed every quarter.
· 9 min read
Requirements to start a business in Brazil in 2026
The requirements checklist to start a business in Brazil is the full set of registrations, tax obligations and compliance items a Chinese company must satisfy between deciding to enter and operating legally. In 2026 that means shareholder CPF/CNPJ, a resident attorney-in-fact, the entity itself, central-bank SCE-IED registration, a bank account, state and municipal registrations, RADAR import habilitation, labour and LGPD. Each item is executed by a lawyer, an accountant or a customs broker; beonshore maps them and makes the introductions.
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· 7 min read
Selling on WhatsApp in Brazil: the mistakes Chinese brands make
WhatsApp is Brazil’s default sales and service channel: about 147 million users, and 60% of Brazilians have bought something through it (Opinion Box, 2025). The recurring mistake Chinese brands make is treating it as a copy of WeChat — unofficial APIs, no Portuguese voice notes, slow replies, no catalogue and no invoice. This playbook lists seven mistakes and what to do instead.
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· 8 min read
What the IBS/CBS tax reform means for a foreign-owned subsidiary
Brazil’s consumption tax reform (Constitutional Amendment 132/2023) replaces PIS, COFINS, ICMS and ISS with two value-added taxes: the federal CBS and the state-and-municipal IBS. 2026 is the test year, CBS applies in full from 2027, IBS gradually replaces ICMS and ISS between 2029 and 2032, and the new system is fully in force in 2033. For a Chinese-owned subsidiary, that means pricing, ERP and cash flow all have to be redesigned to the new rules.
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· 8 min read
Importing machinery: RADAR, INMETRO and a realistic 90-day path
Importing machinery from China into Brazil means running three things in parallel: the importer’s RADAR/Siscomex habilitation, mandatory product certification (INMETRO 60–120 days, ANATEL 90–180 days) and a customs broker engaged before the vessel arrives. This playbook sets out a realistic 90-day path, the tariff points that matter and the most common causes of delay. Data as of September 2026.
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