Seed import compliance in Brazil
Authorities reviewed 2026-10-23
Short answer
Seed imports are regulated by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAPA). Under Decree 10.586/2020, international seed trade is carried out by persons registered in RENASEM. Cultivars must be on the National Cultivar Register (RNC) for production and sale. Entry inspection is handled by Vigiagro.
MAPA publishes the current seed import normative instructions on its legislation page; confirm crop-specific phytosanitary requirements before shipping.
Responsible authorities and official sources
- MAPA — Sementes e Mudas
Seed and seedling regulation, RENASEM registration and related legislation.
- Decree 10.586/2020 (international trade in seed and seedlings, art. 101)
International trade in propagation material by persons registered in RENASEM.
- MAPA — Registro Nacional de Cultivares (RNC) FAQ
Explains the RNC as the register that enables production, processing and sale of a cultivar's seed in Brazil.
- Vigiagro — international agricultural surveillance
Agricultural inspection of imported goods at ports, airports and border points.
Documents to prepare
- Confirm the Brazilian importer's RENASEM registration.
- Confirm the cultivar is listed on the RNC before contracting.
- Import licence in Siscomex as required by the MAPA seed import rules (IN 25/2017 as amended).
- Phytosanitary certificate from the exporting country and seed lot test data matching the contract.
This is orientation, not legal advice. Rules change; confirm the current requirement with the authority for each crop, origin and shipment.
Next steps
- Start a seed sourcing request (qualified requests from USD 250,000)
- Seed price calculator (historical import unit values by HS code, not supplier prices)
- Seed import market map (UN Comtrade HS 1209 and HS 120991 imports by country, 2024)
- Seed, greenhouse and crop output journeys