Md. Joynal Abdin
Founder & Chief Executive Officer, Trade & Investment Bangladesh (T&IB)
Editor, T&IB Business Directory; Executive Director, Online Training Academy (OTA)
Secretary General, Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI)
Brazil is the largest consumer market in Latin America and a serious long-term destination for Bangladesh’s readymade garments (RMG). Bangladesh’s global apparel exports reached about US$38.48 billion in 2024 (BGMEA export performance data). While Bangladesh’s total exports to Brazil also show strong momentum reported at US$187 million in FY2024–25 (up 26% year-on-year, per EPB figures quoted by multiple business outlets) the product mix increasingly highlights garments as a practical growth engine because Brazil has scale, modern retail, and year-round demand across basics, denim, and fashion categories.
Trade data snapshots also show garments among Bangladesh’s notable shipments to Brazil. For example, OEC’s bilateral dashboard lists apparel items such as non-knit men’s suits, knit T-shirts, and knit sweaters among Bangladesh’s top exports to Brazil in December 2025.
The RMG market in Brazil: demand drivers and buying behavior
Brazil’s apparel demand is powered by (i) a large urban population, (ii) strong “fast fashion” and value retail, and (iii) a broad climate range that supports both lightweight knits and seasonal outerwear. Even though Brazil has domestic textile and apparel production, imports are used to fill gaps in price, variety, speed, and specific product niches. Recent trade commentary also points to periods of rising apparel imports (HS 61 & 62) as retailers and brands react to consumer demand and pricing.
On the buyer side, Brazil’s market is led by sophisticated retail groups and brand houses. Lojas Renner describes itself as the largest omni fashion retailer focused on fashion and lifestyle in Brazil, illustrating the scale and professionalism of leading channels.
What Brazilian buyers typically expect from Bangladesh suppliers?
- Competitive FOB pricing with consistent quality
- Strong compliance package (social, chemical, and product safety documentation)
- Reliable lead time and delivery discipline (often via ocean freight to Santos/Itajaí/Rio, then inland distribution)
- Portuguese-ready labeling/packaging requirements and accurate NCM/HS classification support
Top 10 demanding RMG products in Brazil (with HS Code)
Below are widely traded, high-turn categories that align with Brazil’s mainstream retail demand. (Final HS/NCM selection should match fabric composition and garment details.)
| # | Product Category (Export Focus) | Common HS Code (6-digit) |
| 1 | T-shirts / singlets (knit) | 6109 |
| 2 | Polo shirts (knit) | 6105 / 6106 |
| 3 | Sweatshirts, hoodies (knit) | 6110 |
| 4 | Jeans / denim trousers (men’s/boys’) | 6203 |
| 5 | Trousers (women’s/girls’) incl. denim & non-denim | 6204 |
| 6 | Shirts (woven) | 6205 / 6206 |
| 7 | Underwear & briefs (knit) | 6107 / 6108 |
| 8 | Socks/hosiery (knit) | 6115 |
| 9 | Jackets/blazers (woven) | 6201 / 6202 |
| 10 | Workwear / uniforms / coveralls (woven) | 6211 |
Tip for exporters: Brazil’s customs uses NCM (Mercosur classification) which extends HS to more digits; the duty rate and licensing requirements are applied at NCM level.
Top 10 Brazilian RMG buyer companies (high-potential targets)
These are major retailers/brand groups that either import directly or buy imported merchandise through authorized importers and sourcing offices:
- Lojas Renner (Renner)
- Riachuelo (Grupo Guararapes)
- C&A Brasil
- Lojas Marisa
- Casas Pernambucanas
- Havan
- Grupo SOMA (major fashion group; part of Brazil’s large apparel players)
- Arezzo&Co (major fashion company; merger activity highlights sector scale)
- Cia. Hering (historic apparel brand; often cited among key Brazilian apparel retailers)
- Large multi-brand department/value chains and regional groups (often purchase via importers) practical targets via BBCCI matchmaking and trade fairs.
Important note: In Brazil, many brands buy through an importer of record (trading company). A smart entry strategy is to pitch both (a) the retail brand and (b) the importer that clears customs and manages local tax complexity.
Import duty and other taxes on Bangladeshi RMG in Brazil
Brazil’s import cost structure is known to be heavy due to layered taxes. In garments, an often-referenced headline barrier is the high import duty level (commonly cited up to 35% for apparel lines under Mercosur CET discussions).
Beyond Import Duty (II), importers typically face:
- IPI (federal excise tax)
- PIS-Import and COFINS-Import (federal social contributions commonly applied on imports; standard rates are widely cited at 2.1% (PIS) and 9.65% (COFINS) for many goods)
- ICMS (state VAT, varies by state often around 17–19% depending on the state and regime)
- AFRMM (merchant marine fee for ocean freight, commonly cited at 25% of ocean freight)
- SISCOMEX fee and other clearance/handling costs (Trade.gov summarizes typical import cost add-ons; SISCOMEX is also discussed as a fixed fee component)
Because Brazil’s taxes depend on the exact NCM, importer tax regime, and destination state, exporters should treat any “single rate” quote as indicative, then validate with a licensed Brazilian customs broker (Despachante Aduaneiro).
Landing cost calculation: how to estimate the cost to enter Brazil
A practical way to talk to Brazilian buyers is to understand the “stack” of taxes and fees. One common method is:
- CIF (customs value) = FOB + international freight + insurance (+ certain handling charges, depending on practice)
- Import Duty (II) = CIF × II rate
- IPI = (CIF + II) × IPI rate
- PIS & COFINS (imports) are often calculated using Customs Value (CIF) × their respective rates in many simplified explainers
- Add AFRMM (ocean freight × 25%, if applicable), ICMS (state VAT; complex “gross-up” base), SISCOMEX, terminal/warehouse/broker fees
Simple worked example (illustrative only)
Assume a shipment of knit T-shirts:
- FOB = US$100,000
- Freight = US$4,000
- Insurance = US$1,000
- CIF = 105,000
If II = 35% (illustrative), IPI = 10% (illustrative), PIS 2.1% and COFINS 9.65% (often cited), plus AFRMM on ocean freight:
- II = 105,000 × 35% = 36,750
- IPI = (105,000 + 36,750) × 10% = 14,175
- PIS = 105,000 × 2.1% = 2,205
- COFINS = 105,000 × 9.65% = 10,132.5
- AFRMM = 4,000 × 25% = 1,000
- ICMS: calculated on a broader base that can include other taxes and itself, so it must be computed per state/import structure.
Why this matters: When you present a Brazil offer, include two prices:
- (A) FOB Bangladesh (your quote)
- (B) an estimated landed range (so the buyer sees you understand Brazil’s realities and can support their import planning)
How BBCCI supports RMG exporters to Brazil?
The Brazil Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BBCCI) works as a bilateral platform for trade facilitation, networking, advocacy, and market access support.
For RMG exporters, BBCCI can help by:
- Introducing validated Brazilian buyers/importers and arranging B2B matchmaking
- Supporting trade delegation meetings and retail sourcing connections
- Advising on market entry positioning (product selection, pricing logic, documentation readiness)
- Coordinating visibility through events and business networks across Brazil and Bangladesh
Invitation to become a member of BBCCI
If your company is serious about building Brazil as a long-term market (not just one-off orders), BBCCI membership helps you operate with stronger credibility and a reliable support network. BBCCI offers membership options and engagement pathways for businesses committed to strengthening Brazil–Bangladesh trade ties.
Closing remarks
Brazil is not an “easy” market its tax layers and import processes demand planning but it is a high-reward market for disciplined exporters. Bangladesh already has world-class capacity in basics, denim, knitwear, and compliant production; with the right product mix (HS-aligned), buyer targeting, and landed-cost understanding, Bangladeshi RMG can expand steadily in Brazil’s mainstream retail ecosystem.
