A company formation agent in Brazil will be able to offer you valuable advice and support throughout the company formation process, helping you to establish your business in the shortest time possible while giving you peace of mind that you are in full compliance with local regulations.
Doing business in the country is known for the sometimes convoluted red tape that must be navigated, so engaging with a company formation agent in Brazil can be a great way to tap into the knowledge of a provider who will be able to anticipate likely pitfalls you will encounter and help the process run smoothly.
Biz Latin Hub can act as your company formation agent in Brazil, allowing you to relax and focus on establishing your brand. Not only that, but our array of market leading back-office services can help you with ongoing tax and legal support as well.
Table of Contents
Why invest in Brazil?
Brazil is both the biggest country by area and largest economy in Latin America, earning it the nickname of “The Giant of South America.” It is also a major draw for foreign direct investment (FDI), with the $69.2 billion of inflows witnessed in 2020 representing the fourth-highest figure worldwide (all figures in USD).
A country of around 214 million people, as of 2021 Brazil is home to six cities with populations larger than two million people, with Sao Paulo (12.3 million) and Rio de Janeiro (6.8 million) the only cities to have populations in excess of three million people.
The country is famed for its natural resources, which include major deposits of precious gems and metals and large reserves of oil. It is also known for being an important source of agricultural goods, and has significantly improved efficiency in the sector in recent years.
According to figures from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) quoted by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture, Brazil saw the highest rate of growth in agricultural productivity worldwide between 2000 and 2019 and was second only to China when that period was extended back to 1961.
Brazil also has a well-established manufacturing sector, with automobiles, aircraft, electrical machinery, chemicals, and medicines among the many products that are produced and exported in high volumes from the country.
While manufacturing can be found in many urban areas, the metropolis of Sao Paulo is the primary hub for industrial production and presents some of the best investment opportunities given the city’s highly developed logistics in support of high-volume production and distribution.
Should you be looking to enter the manufacturing sector, your company formation agent in Brazil may well recommend that you look to Sao Paulo, even if that was not your original intention.
Investors also benefit from Brazil’s status as a founding member of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) — a 30-year-old economic integration initiative that also includes Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, and to which Bolivia is awaiting formal acceptance as a member.
Mercosur has a range of free trade agreements (FTAs) in place offering resident companies preferential access to key economies and is currently negotiating a deal with the European Union – the bloc’s biggest trading partner.
It is in the context of the major opportunities but sometimes tricky processes involved in doing business in the country that you may find it best to contract the services of a company formation agent in Brazil.
What support will a company formation agent in Brazil provide?
A good company formation agent in Brazil will have expert knowledge of the local business environment, and will have extensive experience handling the company formation process.
In the event you do not have a strong grasp of the country’s official language, Portuguese, you will ideally find a company formation agent in Brazil with a proven track record of working with foreign investors and who is able to speak English – or any other language you speak – with proficiency.
Because your company formation agent in Brazil will act as a buffer between yourself and local authorities, helping you to properly fill-in and submit all necessary documentation and complete all other processes as efficiently as possible.
Your company formation agent will also be able to provide advice based on your needs and their understanding of the market, such providers to work with and who to bank with.
Key benefits of working with an agent
Some key benefits of working with a company formation agent in Brazil include:
Time-effectiveness: Your company formation agent will oversee complex and time-consuming activities, including filling out forms, or drafting and legalizing documents. With a proven history of undertaking such tasks, they will be completed in the shortest time possible.
Regulatory advice: A company formation agent in Brazil will have a firm understanding of the legislation and regulations that you and your business will need to adhere to, both during the incorporation process and throughout your operations, and will be able to offer advice on the likes of which type of entity best suits your needs.
Good communication: If you do not speak Portuguese, you will want to hire a company formation agent who speaks a language that you are proficient in. While English will be the most widespread second language for doing business, there are notable populations of German, Italian, and Spanish speakers.
Legal representation: A company formation agent is trained to represent you and your company before public regulatory entities, protecting your commercial interests and preserving the good reputation of your business.
Ongoing support: If you choose a provider of company formation agent services that also offers other ongoing business support, such as accounting, recruitment, or corporate legal services, you will be able to call on them for ongoing assistance after the incorporation process has been completed.
FAQs on a company formation agent in Brazil
Answers to some of the most common questions our clients ask us about company formation in Brazil.
Can a foreigner own a business in Brazil?
Yes, by either legal persons (legal entities) or natural persons (individuals).
What is the Brazil Company Tax ID?
The Brazil Company Tax ID is known as CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica), which translates in English to the National Register of Legal Entities a unique identification number issued to entities for tax purposes in Brazil.
How long does it take to register a company in Brazil?
It takes 10 weeks to register an operating company in Brazil.
What does an LTDA company name mean in Brazil?
In Brazil, when you come across LTDA in a company’s name, it stands for Sociedade Limitada. This corporate arrangement limits partners’ liability for their contributions to the company’s capital. Partners within an LTDA are not personally liable for the company’s debts beyond their initial investment. This feature shields individual assets and provides a safeguard. This structure is common for small to medium-sized enterprises in Brazil, as it harmoniously blends partnership and corporate elements. It extends both flexibility and legal protections.
What does an S.A. company name mean in Brazil?
The S.A. in a company name in Brazil refers to a Sociedad Anónima, which is similar to a joint stock company. This legal framework establishes the company as a separate entity from its shareholders, with each shareholder possessing shares that represent their ownership stake. Importantly, the financial responsibility of shareholders is solely to the value of their shares. The S.A. structure is common in Brazil due to its exceptional adaptability and flexibility, rendering it the favored option for certain business ventures.
What entity types offer Limited Liability in Brazil?
The Sociedade Limitada (Ltda.) is a Limited Liability Company in Brazil.
Biz latin Hub can be your company formation agent in Brazil
At Biz Latin Hub, our multilingual team of company formation experts has extensive experience supporting foreign investors entering and doing business in Brazil.
We offer tailored packages of back-office services to suit every need, based on a portfolio that includes accounting & taxation, company formation, corporate legal services, due diligence, and hiring & PEO, among others.
That means that as well as acting as your company formation agent in Brazil, we can also provide ongoing support.
As well as Brazil, we have offices in 15 other markets around Latin America and the Caribbean, meaning we are ideally placed to support multi-jurisdiction market entry and operations.
Contact us today to find out more about how we can support you doing business in Brazil
Or read about our team and expert authors.
