How to Open a Company in Brazil as a Foreigner: A Local Team to Handle the Process for You

Postado por:Imprensa Dinastia em26 agosto, 2026

Would you like to sell your products in the Brazilian market? Are you looking to buy directly from Brazilian suppliers? Thinking about manufacturing in Brazil? Do you need a Brazilian company to grow your business here? Or are you considering Brazil as your new base for expansion across Latin America?

If any of these questions sound like where you are right now, Brazil may represent a real opportunity. It’s the largest economy in Latin America, with a large consumer market, strong supply chains across multiple sectors, and a strategic position for anyone looking to sell, buy, manufacture, import, export, or distribute products in the region.

For most foreign entrepreneurs and investors, the challenge isn’t spotting the opportunity — it’s knowing where to start. Brazilian bureaucracy has a reputation for being complex, with steps, government bodies, and documents that can feel like a maze to anyone looking in from outside the country.

That’s exactly where Dinastia Contábil comes in: a Brazilian accounting firm that supports foreign entrepreneurs and investors in structuring their operation in Brazil, from the initial setup through the company’s ongoing operations. You don’t have to figure out the Brazilian system on your own. Our team is here, on the ground in Brazil, to walk alongside you at every step.

Can a Foreigner Open a Company in Brazil?

Yes — generally speaking, a foreigner can take part in setting up a Brazilian company, either as an individual partner, through a foreign company, or a combination of both, and in certain situations without permanently residing in the country. That doesn’t mean the process is one-size-fits-all or automatic: each case depends on the legal and registration requirements that apply to the investor’s specific situation.

Depending on the partner’s profile, the corporate structure chosen, and the activity the company will carry out, the following documents and procedures may be required:

a Brazilian CPF (individual taxpayer number) for the foreign individual partner;
a valid passport;
a sworn (certified) translation of foreign documents, when required;
an apostille or consular legalization of documents, when applicable;
a power of attorney granted to a representative in Brazil;
a representative in Brazil, in cases where the law requires one;
a registered business address in Brazilian territory;
a clear definition of the company’s economic activities;
drafting of the articles of association (contrato social) or bylaws;
registration with the Board of Trade (Junta Comercial) or other competent registry;
CNPJ registration (the Brazilian company tax ID);
applicable state and municipal registrations;
operating licenses;
specific authorizations, depending on the industry.

There’s no single formula along the lines of “you just need a CPF and a passport.” The required documentation varies according to the investor’s nationality, country of residence, the corporate structure adopted, the intended economic activity, and how the documents will be signed — in person in Brazil, by power of attorney, or abroad with subsequent legalization.

Precisely because it varies so much, we recommend an individual assessment before any decision is made. Dinastia Contábil reviews your specific case and clearly explains which documents and procedures apply to your situation.

Main Types of Business We Support

Dinastia Contábil supports foreign entrepreneurs with different business goals in Brazil. Here are the main areas we work in:

1. Manufacturing in Brazil

Setting up a company to run manufacturing operations in Brazil can be an attractive option for those looking to produce close to the consumer market, reduce logistics costs, or serve local and regional customers. For this type of project, depending on the scope contracted, we support:

company formation and definition of the corporate structure;
definition of the economic activities (CNAE codes) suited to the industrial project;
tax planning appropriate to the company’s applicable tax regime;
state, municipal, and other required registrations;
guidance on applicable operating and environmental licenses;
structuring of accounting and tax routines;
support related to hiring employees and labor obligations;
guidance on importing machinery and inputs, when applicable to the project;
support structuring export operations for the production.

Every industrial sector has its own rules, and any potential tax benefits or special regimes depend on an individual analysis — we don’t work with generic promises of tax incentives without first reviewing the specific case.

2. Trading and Commerce in Brazil

For entrepreneurs interested in buying, selling, importing, exporting, or distributing products in the Brazilian market, we support the structuring of the commercial operation, including:

company formation focused on commercial activity;
guidance on purchasing products from Brazilian suppliers;
structuring for selling products in the Brazilian market;
support structuring import and export operations;
guidance on distributing goods;
structuring B2B operations with Brazilian companies;
accounting and tax organization to serve customers in Brazil.

3. Commercial Representation

Foreign companies that want to develop business in Brazil without necessarily setting up a full operation of their own can evaluate structures related to commercial representation. This activity may involve specific requirements and registrations, depending on the applicable legislation and the nature of the intended representation. Dinastia Contábil works with the entrepreneur to assess which structure best fits their objective — always based on the specific case.

Import and Export: There’s More to It Than the CNPJ

For entrepreneurs interested in buying Brazilian products for export, or bringing foreign products into the Brazilian market, this is one of the most important parts of the planning process.

It’s essential to understand that registering the CNPJ is just one step in the process — not the final one. Simply forming the company does not, by itself, authorize import or export operations. Depending on the operation, additional procedures may be required, related to:

authorization for the company to operate in foreign trade with the Brazilian Federal Revenue (Receita Federal), through Siscomex (the Integrated Foreign Trade System);
correct tariff classification of the goods;
calculation of the taxes applicable to import and export operations;
organization of the documentation required for each type of operation;
specific accounting and tax records and controls for foreign trade;
licenses and authorizations from specific government bodies, depending on the product involved.

Dinastia Contábil can guide and support the corporate, accounting, and tax preparation needed for this type of operation, within the contracted scope, helping the entrepreneur understand the steps involved before starting a foreign trade operation.

A Local Representative in Brazil

You can be in another country. Your company doesn’t have to be alone in Brazil.

One of the biggest challenges for a foreign entrepreneur is keeping up, from a distance, with administrative procedures and communications with Brazilian government bodies. That’s why, through a specific engagement and after reviewing each client’s legal situation, Dinastia Contábil can also offer local representation services.

This support can assist with communications and procedures before Brazilian government bodies, including the Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), always within the powers formally granted and the legal limits applicable to each situation.

In practice, this means you can be in Europe, the United States, China, Russia, Latin America, the Middle East, or anywhere else in the world, and still count on a professional team on the ground in Brazil, following your operation closely.

We Don’t Just Want to Open a CNPJ

Opening the CNPJ is only the beginning. Once formed, every company needs to be ready to actually operate: issuing invoices, paying taxes correctly, meeting labor obligations, keeping the accounting up to date, and responding to the requirements of Brazilian authorities.

Dinastia Contábil offers a set of services designed to support the company throughout its journey in Brazil:

company formation;
corporate changes and registration updates;
tax planning;
full-scope accounting;
tax department support;
payroll;
labor obligations;
support obtaining licenses and regularizations;
ongoing accounting and tax support;
guidance for import and export operations;
preparation for Siscomex-related procedures;
monitoring of obligations before Brazilian authorities;
local representation, when contracted and legally applicable.

More than opening a company, we help you build an operation in Brazil.

How It Works

Tell us about your project — Your country of residence, intended activity, products or services, target market, and goals for Brazil.
We assess the structure — Dinastia Contábil evaluates the corporate, accounting, and tax aspects relevant to your project.
We define the documents — We let you know which documents and procedures are needed for your specific case.
We start the company formation — We follow the required procedures for registration, obtaining the CNPJ, and any other applicable registrations.
We prepare the operation — Once the company is formed, we support it with accounting, tax, labor, and other contracted routines.

A Direct Message to International Entrepreneurs

Are you in China and want to sell into Brazil? In the United States and just found an opportunity in the Brazilian market? In Europe and looking to establish an operation in Latin America? Want to buy Brazilian products to sell in your own country? Planning to import your products and distribute them in Brazil?

Talk to a team that is based in Brazil and understands Brazilian procedures.

About Dinastia Contábil

Dinastia Contábil is an accounting firm based in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil. We provide accounting, tax, corporate, and business support for Brazilian companies as well as for foreign investors and entrepreneurs looking to structure or maintain an operation in the country. Our team supports the entrepreneur from the initial review of the project through the day-to-day accounting and tax routine of the operating company.

You don’t need to be in Brazil to start structuring your company. Talk to our team.

WhatsApp: +55 62 3946-0800
Email: relacionamento@dinastiacontabil.com.br

OPEN A COMPANY IN BRAZIL

Your business in Brazil can start today.

You can be anywhere in the world. Dinastia Contábil is in Brazil to support the structuring of your company.

From CNPJ formation to accounting, tax, and business support, our team is ready to understand your project and guide you through the next steps.

Want to understand how to structure your company in Brazil?
Get in touch directly with our team:

Dinastia Contábil
Goiânia – Goiás – Brazil
WhatsApp: +55 62 3946-0800
Email: relacionamento@dinastiacontabil.com.br
Website: dinastiacontabil.com.br
Instagram: @dinastiacontabil

Official Sources Consulted

Applicable rules may change as legislation and the regulations of the relevant government bodies are updated. The information in this article is general and informational, and does not replace an individualized review of your specific case.