RADAR Siscomex is the Federal Revenue’s authorization that allows a Brazilian company to import and export in its own name. For a new foreign-owned subsidiary, the catch is the import ceiling: Receita estimates it from taxes the company has already paid, so a company with no history starts small. This guide explains the modalities, the calculation and the legitimate ways to raise the limit in 2026.
In brief
- Legal basis
- IN RFB 1,984/2020
- Limited modality
- Up to US$ 150,000 per semester
- Unlimited modality
- Capacity above US$ 150,000
- Export ceiling
- None
- A company must be habilitada in Siscomex before it can act as importer or exporter of record.
- Import ceilings follow an estimate of financial capacity based on federal taxes paid over five years.
- New companies can request a review of the estimate using available funds or recent tax payments.
- The express modality is reserved for listed corporations, their wholly owned subsidiaries and state-owned companies.
What RADAR Siscomex is
Siscomex is Brazil’s integrated foreign trade system, today accessed mainly through the Portal Único Siscomex. Before a company can register an import or export declaration in its own name, the Federal Revenue (Receita Federal) must authorize it to operate. This authorization is formally called habilitação, and the market still calls it RADAR, after the Receita program that monitors foreign trade operators.
The rules are set by Normative Instruction RFB 1,984/2020, in force since 1 December 2020, and by Coana Ordinance 72/2020, which details how financial capacity is estimated. The habilitação is requested for the head office CNPJ and covers the company’s establishments.
The habilitação does not replace other permits. For example, food, medical devices, chemicals or telecommunications equipment may also need licenses from the relevant regulator before goods are cleared.
RADAR Siscomex modalities
| Modality | Who it fits | Import ceiling | Review |
|---|---|---|---|
| Individual (pessoa física) | Individuals importing for their own use, and specific professionals | Linked to the person’s means | Not for a company’s operations |
| Company, express (expressa) | Listed corporations and their wholly owned subsidiaries, public and mixed-capital companies | No operating limit | Fast, based on eligibility conditions |
| Company, limited (limitada) | Companies whose estimated capacity is up to US$ 150,000 | US$ 50,000 or US$ 150,000 per six-month period | Mostly automatic, from Receita’s data |
| Company, unlimited (ilimitada) | Companies whose estimated capacity exceeds US$ 150,000 | No fixed ceiling, subject to monitoring | Automatic or documentary |
The ceiling applies to imports only. Exports are not limited by value under any company modality. Under the limited modality, the ceiling is measured over rolling six-month periods, and the customs value of each import counts against it.
A Brazilian subsidiary of a listed foreign group does not qualify for the express modality on that basis. The express route refers to a Brazilian corporation with shares traded on an exchange or over the counter, its wholly owned subsidiaries, and state-owned companies. Most foreign-owned subsidiaries therefore apply for the limited or unlimited modality.
How the Federal Revenue estimates financial capacity
Coana Ordinance 72/2020 sets a simple formula. Receita adds up certain federal taxes the company actually paid in the current year and in the four previous calendar years, then converts the total into US dollars at an average exchange rate set by Coana.
- Taxes counted. Corporate income tax (IRPJ), social contribution on profit (CSLL), PIS/Pasep, Cofins and the employer’s social security contribution.
- Taxes excluded. Amounts not paid, amounts under installment plans and amounts assessed by Receita in an audit.
- Result. The estimate defines the modality and, under the limited modality, the six-month ceiling.
The consequence for a new company is direct. With no tax history, the estimate is close to zero, so the company typically starts in the limited modality with the lowest ceiling. For a subsidiary formed to import equipment or inventory, that ceiling may cover only one or two shipments. Therefore, the review procedure described below is part of the plan, not an exception.
Prerequisites for a foreign-owned company
Receita checks the company’s registration data before it grants any modality. The following points avoid most rejections.
- Active CNPJ with the right activities. The economic activity codes should cover the import or export activity the company intends to perform.
- Regular partners and administrators. The CPF of each person with a qualifying role in the partners and administrators table must be regular, and foreign partners must have their own regular CNPJ or CPF.
- Electronic tax domicile. The company must have joined the Federal Revenue’s electronic mailbox (DTE).
- A responsible person who can log in. The person responsible for the CNPJ accesses the Portal Único with a gov.br account or digital certificate, so the company should solve this point early.
- Real premises. Receita may verify that the company exists and operates at its address, especially when documents are requested.
- Foreign capital in order. When the review uses capital received from abroad, bank records and the Central Bank’s SCE-IED registration support the evidence.
Our guides on the CNPJ for foreign companies and on the SCE-IED registration explain how to keep these records clean.
How to apply for RADAR Siscomex, step by step
Prepare access
Make sure the person responsible for the CNPJ can log in to the Portal Único with a gov.br account or an ICP-Brasil certificate.
File the request in Habilita
In the Portal Único, the responsible person selects the company and requests habilitação in the Habilita system.
Receive the automatic analysis
The system checks registration data and estimates capacity from Receita’s records. In many cases, the result is immediate.
Answer any documentary request
If Receita selects the request for analysis, the company files the documents through a digital process in e-CAC.
Credential representatives
Once habilitada, the company registers employees and customs brokers (despachantes aduaneiros) who will act for it in Siscomex.
From company formation to first import
- Step 1CNPJ and registrations
- Step 2Habilitação in Habilita
- Step 3Review of the estimate if needed
- ResultBroker credentialed, first import
Raising the limit: review of the estimate
A company can ask Receita to review its estimated capacity. Coana Ordinance 72/2020 lists the grounds, and two of them matter most for new foreign-owned companies.
| Ground | How the new estimate is calculated | Typical evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Available funds | Based on the company’s free and immediately available funds, such as the bank balance | Bank statements, trial balances and transfer receipts for the last three months; loan agreements where relevant |
| Start or restart of operations less than five years ago | Taxes paid in the previous six months, multiplied by ten | Exempt from the financial documents above |
| Tax exemptions or immunities | Considers the taxes that would otherwise be due | Legal basis and calculation spreadsheet |
| Payroll tax on revenue (CPRB) | Includes contributions paid on revenue | Payment records |
For a newly capitalized subsidiary, the available funds route is usually the strongest. In practice, the parent wires the capital, the company keeps it in its Brazilian account, and the request shows the balance with the receipts of the transfers. In addition, Receita may ask for documents showing that the company operates, such as the articles, the registry certificate, utility bills, the lease or property title and storage contracts.
After habilitação: operating in Siscomex
The habilitação opens the door, but the first operation still requires preparation. The company credentials its customs broker and staff in the Portal Único, and the broker then files declarations on its behalf.
- Import declarations. The Single Import Declaration (DUIMP) of the Portal Único is gradually replacing the old import declaration, so check which flow applies to your goods.
- Export declarations. Exports are declared through the Single Export Declaration (DU-E).
- Product data. The Portal Único requires product records and information about foreign suppliers or buyers for the new processes.
- Taxes on imports. Import duty, IPI, PIS and Cofins on imports and state ICMS remain due, while the tax reform introduces CBS and IBS from 2026 to 2033. Our guide on the tax reform for foreign companies explains the transition.
Our page on market entry options compares importing through your own subsidiary with selling through a distributor.
Keeping the habilitação active
A habilitação is not permanent. Receita can review it on its own initiative, for example when import volumes do not match the estimated capacity or when there are signs of irregularity. In addition, long periods without foreign trade operations can lead to deactivation, which then requires a new request.
- Keep registration data current. Update the CNPJ after changes of address, administrators or partners.
- Stay tax compliant. Pending tax or registration issues can block new declarations.
- Review representatives. Remove credentials of former employees and brokers promptly.
- Plan growth. Request a review of the estimate before the six-month ceiling runs out, not after.
Questions investors ask
What is RADAR Siscomex?
It is the Federal Revenue’s habilitação that authorizes a person or company to operate in Siscomex as importer or exporter. Without it, a Brazilian company cannot register import or export declarations in its own name.
How long does it take to get RADAR?
When the automatic analysis approves the request, the habilitação can be granted almost immediately. When Receita requests documents, the analysis takes longer and depends on the workload of the local unit, so plan several weeks.
Can a new company with foreign capital get an unlimited RADAR?
Not on day one in most cases, because the estimate relies on taxes already paid. However, the company can request a review based on available funds, such as capital received from abroad and kept in its Brazilian account, which may lift it to a higher modality.
Is there a limit for exports?
No. The value ceilings of the limited modality apply to imports only. Exports are not limited by value.
Can a foreign company import directly into Brazil without a local entity?
Not as importer of record for ordinary commercial imports. The usual alternatives are a Brazilian subsidiary with its own habilitação, a local distributor or a habilitada trading company acting on behalf of the Brazilian buyer.
Who can file the habilitação request?
The person responsible for the company’s CNPJ files it through the Portal Único. Afterwards, that person can credential employees and customs brokers to act for the company.