You can import dehydrated onion and garlic from India into Brazil, and many companies already do: by value, Brazil was the largest destination for Indian dehydrated onion in 2024, according to OEC data built on the BACI trade dataset. The Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) controls the plant-health side through its border service, ANVISA covers food safety and labelling, and what usually stops a shipment is a licence that was not in place before loading, a document that does not match the goods, or a residue result that fails Brazilian limits.
This guide reflects the rules at the time of writing. Brazilian rules change by ordinance and resolution, so confirm each point with your customs broker (despachante aduaneiro).
Who regulates the import
Brazilian imports are declared through the Portal Único de Comércio Exterior, the single window that replaced much of the older Siscomex workflow. Agricultural controls sit with MAPA and its international agricultural surveillance service, Vigiagro, which has units at the main seaports. Where a product needs a licence or permit, it is requested in the LPCO module of the Portal Único, and MAPA publishes the list of NCM codes that need one.
The importer needs RADAR registration with Receita Federal, Brazil's customs and tax authority, and, for products under MAPA control, registration with MAPA. The practical steps:
- Confirm the NCM code for each form (flakes, kibbled, minced, granules, powder) with your broker. Onion and garlic powders and dried pieces can fall under different codes.
- Check in MAPA's import requirements whether your product and origin need a phytosanitary certificate or a specific pest risk analysis. Processed, dried vegetables are often treated differently from fresh bulbs, but do not assume this without checking.
- File any required LPCO before the goods ship, not after they arrive in Santos or Paranaguá.
Lab tests that matter in Brazil
ANVISA publishes pesticide monographs that set Brazil's maximum residue limits, and they are not identical to EU or Codex limits. Ask your laboratory to report against the Brazilian monographs, not only against EU limits. Microbiology matters too: salmonella, total plate count, yeast and mould, and coliforms are the usual set for a dried allium. Read how salmonella gets into dehydrated onion and whether steam sterilisation changes flavour if your customer needs a low count.
Ethylene oxide is not an accepted treatment for spices in most markets that Indian plants supply, and Brazilian buyers increasingly ask for ETO and 2-chloroethanol results. See why 2-chloroethanol is tested. If the goods go into retail packs, labels must be in Portuguese and follow ANVISA's labelling resolutions.
Documents to prepare
A description, weight or code that differs between the invoice and the licence is a common reason for a hold. The document pack your broker will ask for lists the full set.
- Commercial invoice and packing list, with the NCM, lot numbers and net weights matching the bags.
- Bill of lading.
- Certificate of origin. India and MERCOSUR have a preferential trade agreement in force since 2009, but it covers a limited list of tariff lines. Check whether your exact code is on India's schedule before you rely on a preferential certificate.
- Phytosanitary certificate from India's plant protection organisation, if MAPA's requirement for your product calls for one. See does a dehydrated vegetable need a phytosanitary certificate.
- Laboratory reports per lot from an accredited laboratory. See which lab reports importers accept.
Duty and trade agreements
Brazil applies the MERCOSUR Common External Tariff (TEC) plus domestic taxes such as IPI, PIS, COFINS and the state ICMS, so the landed cost is more than the import duty alone. Check the TEC rate for your NCM in the Portal Único or with your broker, and ask for a full tax simulation. We do not quote rates. As of September 2026, India and MERCOSUR had launched talks to widen their preferential agreement, so preferences may change. See preferential duty schemes for Indian agri products.
What Brazil buys and who uses it
Brazilian food makers use dried onion and garlic in seasoning blends, meat products, snacks, instant noodles, sauces and ready meals. Seasoning blenders tend to buy powder and granules, while meat processors and soup makers often ask for minced or chopped pieces. Brazil also buys dried garlic from China and other origins, so expect a buyer to compare. See Indian versus Chinese dehydrated garlic.
Ports and shipping route
Most containers for the south-east and south enter through Santos (for São Paulo) and Paranaguá (for Paraná), with Itajaí, Navegantes and Rio de Janeiro also used. From Mundra, Pipavav or Nhava Sheva, cargo either moves on services that round the Cape of Good Hope or is transhipped at a hub such as Colombo or Singapore. Allow roughly five to seven weeks, and check current schedules. Brazilian ports are humid, so ask for good liners. See how to stop onion powder caking.
Cities
São Paulo is Brazil's largest food-processing and spice-trading centre, served through the port of Santos.
Curitiba sits at the centre of Paraná's meat industry and receives its imports through Paranaguá.
How Creston helps
We work for you, not the factory. We find and audit dehydrated onion and dehydrated garlic plants, have every lot tested at an NABL-accredited laboratory against Brazilian limits, supervise loading and check each document against your licence before the ship sails, all for one written fee agreed in advance. To plan a first Brazilian order, book a free sourcing review.