Importing a Car into Brazil Using Crypto | Bitmalo

Bringing in a car to Brazil has always been a real headache, known as one of the toughest car dealings globally. The mix of strict customs rules, many layers of tax, and restrictions on second-hand vehicles often leaves buyers scratching their heads. But still, the demand keeps growing—Brazil’s love for cars is something else, and enthusiasts are ready to go the extra mile for that perfect ride. Here at Bitmalo, we've come up with a way to take all that stress off your plate: you pick your car, pay safely using crypto or a bank transfer, and we sort out everything else, from checking and buying to customs clearance and delivering right to your door, anywhere in the country.

How the Import Process Works

For most of our clients, the whole thing kicks off online. Once you’ve spotted your dream car in our Cars list, the first step is a special inspection just for you. This isn't just a quick look-see; we do a thorough VIN and variant check, make sure it meets emissions standards, and confirm the vehicle lines up with Brazil’s rules. Our Brazil-ready condition report is made to figure out what customs and regulators will demand later, meaning fewer shocks when your ride finally gets here.

After the inspection, it’s time to buy. Unlike many regular importers, we work on a full up-front payment system—the buyer pays everything, 100%, in advance using USDT, BTC, ETH, or through a USD bank transfer. This gives you a firm transaction with all the papers (invoices and TXIDs) and lets us be the buyer of record, taking care of the title and handling the export.

From that point, your car starts its journey to Brazil. Most deliveries come through Santos or Paranaguá if it's by sea, while São Paulo–Guarulhos (GRU) and Rio de Janeiro–Galeão (GIG) are the main entry points for air cargo. As soon as the vehicle lands, our licensed despachante aduaneiro (customs broker) takes care of the complete Receita Federal clearance. By the time the car is out of the port or airport's hands, you'll already know exactly when it's arriving at your place.

Understanding Brazil’s Import Duties

The expense of importing isn't just about shipping and handling—it's also all about taxes and tariffs. Brazil slaps on many layers of taxation that change depending on the engine size, type of vehicle, and which state it will finally be registered in. The usual charges you'll find include:

• Import Duty (II) – typically 35% for passenger cars.
• IPI (Excise Tax) – rates rise with engine size and type.
• PIS/COFINS-Import – social contributions levied on imports.
• ICMS (State VAT) – varies significantly depending on which state your car is registered in.

Beyond these, you'll also find local port and terminal charges that cover unloading, storage, and general handling. One of the good things about Bitmalo is how transparent we are: we give you an estimate that shows the current tariff rates for your car's NCM classification, so you get a clear picture of the total cost before the car even leaves.

Eligibility and Regulatory Essentials

One important thing many first-time importers often forget is that Brazil usually doesn't allow second-hand car imports. The only two big exceptions are brand-new (0 km) vehicles and collector cars that are typically 30 years or even older. We confirm if your car qualifies based on its VIN to make sure you don't make expensive mistakes.

Brazil also insists on left-hand drive (LHD) only for normal road registration. Cars that are right-hand drive (RHD) cannot be used on the road there. Apart from these basics, we make sure every document is in line with Senatran/Contran standards. If emissions or safety certificates are required, our team organises IBAMA or INMETRO paperwork and ensures correct Portuguese translations are added. Customs entries go through Siscomex/Portal Único, with DUIMP or import licenses (LI) submitted whenever necessary.

Shipping Options: Air vs Sea

Clients often wonder which is better—flying or shipping by sea. Honestly, it just depends on what's most important to you. Air freight into GRU or GIG is super fast, with cars getting to your door in as quickly as 5–10 days. This is a popular choice for very expensive cars or when time is really tight. On the flip side, ocean freight—whether in containers or Ro-Ro—is much cheaper, but then it takes longer, from 4–9 weeks door-to-door, depending on the route and how busy the terminals are. No matter how you choose to send it, we give door-to-door all-risk insurance and take care of everything, even the paperwork for dangerous goods for electric and hybrid vehicles.

Why Buyers Choose Bitmalo for Brazil

The way Brazil's import system works, being spot-on is key. Just one missing certificate or a document translated wrongly can hold up clearance for weeks and pile up thousands in storage fees. By handling everything from checking and buying to customs and delivery inland, Bitmalo gives you one reliable partner to deal with. Clients also really appreciate that we can settle arrival charges through our broker and then send you a transparent invoice again, either in crypto or by bank transfer, so you don't have to go chasing port invoices. Throw in our Brazil-ready registration pack, which comes with DETRAN/RENAVAM guides and CRLV-e examples, and what you get is a solution that doesn't just transport cars—it makes sure they are legally ready to hit the road.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a used car to Brazil?
Not under usual circumstances. Only brand-new cars or collector cars (roughly 30+ years old) qualify. We check each VIN before moving forward.

How long does shipping take?
Air freight normally gets there within 5–10 days door-to-door. Sea freight usually takes 4–9 weeks depending on where it's coming from and how busy the terminals are.

What taxes should I expect?
At the very least: Import Duty (II), IPI, PIS/COFINS-Import, ICMS, and port/terminal charges. We show all these in your first quote.

Do you deliver outside São Paulo and Rio?
Yes, we do. We organise covered transport to Brasília, Salvador, Porto Alegre, Curitiba, Fortaleza, Recife, Belo Horizonte, and even further.

Final Word

Brazil's car import scene is definitely not made to be simple—but with the right partner handling things, it can actually be smooth and easy to predict. Bitmalo is all about closing that gap. Whether you're getting a brand-new fancy car or a classic that qualifies for collector status, we offer crypto-settled, fully managed imports that get to your door without any headaches.

Disclaimer: This article gives general information, not tax or legal advice. Import rules differ depending on the vehicle, model year, and where it's going. Bitmalo confirms the process and costs for your VIN before you buy.