Brazil free zones in 2024

free zones company registration in Brazil

  • Brazil free trade zones are a gift for foreign investors willing to incorporate a company in Brazil and use it as a gateway to South America. Brazil FTZs may qualify for i) up to 75% reduction on corporate income tax ii) 100% duty exemption for imported products iii) 10 years exemption from business licenses fees;
  • Brazil currently boasts several free zones including Manaus free zone, Macapa free zone, Tabatinga free zone, Guajara-Mirim free zone, and Boa Vista and Bonfim free zone;
  • Brazilian free zones are suitable for foreign companies intending to use Brazil as a manufacturing or import/export base, with the bulk of their business conducted outside of Brazil;
  • Healy Consultants will be pleased to liaise, on behalf of our Clients planning to conduct operations within Brazil FTZs, with the Manaus Free Trade Zone Authority (SUFRAMA) and other relevant FTZ authorities, in order to obtain approval for a free trade zone license. Our Firm will also be pleased to apply to the Amazon Development Authority for additional tax exemptions applicable to our Client’s project;

Manaus free trade zone

  • Companies operating in MFTZ are eligible for i) exemption from import tax on goods destined for use in Amazonas state ii) 88% reduction on import duty for raw materials iii) excise tax exemption for goods traded within MFTZ;
  • Manaus FTZ covers an area of 10,000 square kilometers in the capital city of Amazonas State which can be accessed via road, land, and sea transport;
  • MFTZ does not offer incentives to business sectors of ammunition, tobacco, alcoholic products, perfume, and cosmetics;
  • This FTZ invites multinationals from the business sectors of electronics, two-wheel vehicles production, chemicals, metallurgy, and mechanicals;
  • Manaus FTZ in Brazil offers good export infrastructure and well developed electric power and telecommunications network. In addition, corporates established in this FTZ have access to qualified and productive workforce.

Macapa free trade zone

  • Companies operating in Macapa FTZ enjoy exemption from the government fee on imported goods. Duty exemptions are also available depending on the nature of goods to be imported, their origins and value;
  • Macapa FTZ occupies an area of 220 square kilometers in the region bordering French Guiana;
  • This FTZ only engages in commercial operations and invites multinationals from the business sectors of domestic and international import activities.

Tabatinga free trade zone

  • Tabatinga FTZ offers a reduction of up to 75% on corporate income tax. However, this incentive will be granted on a case-to-case basis, with companies investing large amounts of share capital in desired industries more likely to earn the tax reduction;
  • Tabatinga FTZ has a total area of 20 square kilometers bordering Colombia and Peru. Consequently, this location enhances logistics for trading activities between Brazil and these two countries;
  • This FTZ only engages in commercial operations and invites multinationals from the business sectors of importing domestic and international goods for consumption within its surrounding areas.

Boa Vista and Bonfim free trade zone

  • Companies operating in Boa Vista and Bonfim FTZ may be eligible for i) duty exemption on products imported for internal use in the FTZ ii) exemption from customs and administrative controls for imported and exported goods;
  • Boa Vista and Bonfim FTZ was established in 2008 for the purpose of improving trade relationship between Brazil and neighbor countries such as Venezuela and Guyana;
  • This FTZ only engages in commercial operations which invites multinationals from the business sectors of domestic and international import and export.

Comparison between the free zones

Manaus FTZ Macapa FTZ Tabatinga FTZ Boa Vista and Bonfim FTZ
How long to set the company up? 12 weeks 13 weeks 14 weeks 14 weeks
How long to open company bank account? 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks 8 weeks
Quality of Utilities Excellent Average Good Average
Allowed to sign sales contracts with Brazilian Clients? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to invoice Brazilian Clients? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate tax exemption/ reduction? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate bank account SCB Brazil SCB Brazil SCB Brazil SCB Brazil
Physical office space required Yes Yes Yes Yes
Industrial space availability Many Limited Limited Limited
Allowed to import raw materials? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Allowed to export goods? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Wholly foreign owned Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can the entity hire expatriate staff in Brazil? Yes Yes Yes Yes
Do you visit Brazil for company registration? No No No No
Minimum number of directors 1 1 1 1
Minimum number of shareholders 2 2 2 2
Tax registration certificate required Yes Yes Yes Yes
Individual shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Corporate shareholders allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Public register of shareholders and directors Yes Yes Yes Yes
LLC company allowed Yes Yes Yes Yes
Can apply for immigration visas Yes Yes Yes Yes
Annual audited financial statements No No No No

Frequently asked questions

Contact us

For additional information on our free zone company registration services in Brazil, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Kunal Fabiani, directly:
client relationship officer - Kunal