Import a vehicle from Canada to Rio

Does anyone know if I buy a car in Canada (I am Canadian living in Brazil) can I ship it to Rio where I live or will it be too much money compared to buying a car in Rio?

You cannot.


I live in Canada and am permanently moving to Rio in 3 months time.


FWIW in the 20 years I've been living in Rio we rarely if ever use our car we have down there as it is.


Buy locally if you really want a vehicle.

@Gaspaerzinho 777 is mostly correct, however, you CAN import collector cars that are more than 30 years old (or is it 20 years?). ANYHOW, you must be prepared for an arduous adventure in bureaucracy to get this car here.


Just search:

importação colecionador carro brasil


..... and you'll start to find links that describe what's needed an [supposed] specialists to help you do it.


A friend once brought a car as part of his move which took a full container (30+ years ago). It was a huge mistake. He couldn't find proper parts and given he lived in a rather rural community he couldn't find mechanics he could trust to get maintenance/repairs done right...... and then the Minnesota road salt finally took hold.


I kind of like Brazilian cars. If you like old ones there are still a few around if you shop the Internet. I'm to old to piddle my time away under the hood of antique [old] cars like I did in my youth. New cars are more expensive than they should be but they tend to last longer here if you don't live too close to the sea air (maresia) and you don't have to fix them all of the time.

mberigan

That's why I sold my toy last year.


Ocean freight was 10% of its value, and then, everything I would need to keep it running would have to be FEDEX'ed and duty paid, making it a very pricey proposition, even with me bring able to do almost all maintenance.


If you want a Brasilian classic car, you should check out MEREZE in Sao Paulo........he has a YT channel where he promotes his cars for sale.


I'm buying a Fusca and selling our FIAT.....R$30-40,000 gets you a perfectly restored example of a late 1980's example.

Hi Dannybower

mberigan and Gasparzinho 777 are correct.

The only cars you can legally import into Brazil must be either over 30 years old or brand new. Importing a brand new car will cost you more than the car will cost you new at the dealership in Brazil. In both cases the importation involves a lot of paperwork. You can drive a car via road into Brazil for temporary time period and limited to a certain time period, but again you would need to comply with the required documents and insurance cover. I believe there is also the possibility of a sort of Carnet ATA use for temporary importation.

In general it is stressful and not economic to import a car into Brazil

@dannybower WHY? What Car Do You Have In Mind?


We bought our Brazilian made car from the guy around the corner, down by the river.


Roddie in Retirement1f575.svg

Thanks everyone for your response. I was hoping to get a Hyundai Palisade. I find vehicles expensive here. Is it cheaper to look in Sao Paolo and ship to Rio?

Does EV get import free duties?  Are there EV credits / exemptions in Brazil?  EVs do not need much maintenance and it may be ok to bring it in.


Just wondering.

Vehicles NOT BUILT IN BRASIL are heavily taxed.........Hyundai and KIA just to name two.........look for a manufacturer that produces the vehicles in country.

Getting a car not made in Brazil is a bad idea. First of all the parts are going to be outrageous.  Secondly, good luck trying to find someone to work on it. 


   02/27/24 Does EV get import free duties?  Are there EV credits / exemptions in Brazil?  EVs do not need much maintenance and it may be ok to bring it in.
Just wondering.   

    -@Pablo888


Tariffs were reimposed last month, and will gradually be increased until 2026 when they max out.  As for charging and support infrastructure, "bleeding edge" doesn't even begin to cover it, and won't for some years yet.

Thank you all for the feedback on car purchase..... Will purchase locally.

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I will wait until Palisade comes here end of 2024

02/28/24 @dannybower.  Glad to help.  Since you're planning on moving to Brazil anyway, it would be a good idea to start looking for a mover who has past experience with moving people to Brazil:  believe me, just having general experience with international moves is not enough.  A company with Brazil experience will be able to brief you on exactly what is involved in shipping a car to Brazil, the many steps in the process that must be completed in exactly the right order, and give you an idea of how much it will end up costing, if what you'd like to do is even possible at all.


A mover won't be able to tell you about getting your car serviced in Brazil, but someone and Hyundai probably can.