On August 1, 2026, Brazil’s ”Split Payment Regime” officially took effect on the Brazilian version of Mercado Livre (Mercado Libre). For every order sold on the platform, sellers” revenue will be automatically split into ”proceeds from the sale of goods” and ”service fees” in accordance with Brazilian tax law, with each portion settled and taxed separately. At the same time, Brazil’s dual VAT system—comprising the CBS (Federal Social Contribution VAT) and the IBS (State/Municipal VAT)—officially took effect. The combined tax burden for cross-border stores is approximately 20%–25%, while for local CNPJ-registered businesses, it can be reduced to 14%–18%.

This means that Chinese sellers entering the Brazilian market can no longer rely on a rudimentary business model of ”platform-withheld payments and simple shipping.” To ensure timely payment receipt and stable operations, sellers must link their Brazilian CPF/CNPJ tax information, open a local Brazilian bank account, and understand how split payments and dual VAT work. Failure to meet any of these requirements will result in delays at critical stages, such as payment receipt, store renewal, and withdrawal processing.

Qicaiying Group specializes in cross-border e-commerce services for the Latin American market and has helped over 200 companies complete their setup on Mercado Libre, handle RFC/CPF/CNPJ tax registration, and establish local warehouses. From obtaining an RFC in Mexico to establishing a local company in Brazil, and from integrating with CBT PRO to managing full-scale warehouse operations, Qicaiying offers one-stop compliance solutions for expanding into Latin America. If you are a seller currently operating on or planning to launch on Mercadillo’s Brazil marketplace, please contact Qicaiying to receive a customized compliance assessment, cost estimate, and implementation roadmap. Consultation Hotline: 18676749275; Add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan.

I. Revenue-Sharing Payment System: A Compliance-Driven Closed-Loop for Automatic Revenue Allocation

The Split Payment system is a regulatory measure introduced by the Brazilian government to combat tax evasion and regulate e-commerce transactions. On the Brazilian version of Meike Duo, each seller’s sales revenue is automatically split into:

1. Proceeds from the sale of merchandise — Based on the actual retail price of the goods, taxes such as the State Value-Added Tax (ICMS) must be paid.

2. Service Fee — Commissions, shipping fees, and other charges collected by the platform are subject to service taxes (ISS, PIS, COFINS, etc.).

In accordance with tax laws, the platform processes payments and withholds taxes separately; the amount sellers ultimately receive has already been net of the relevant taxes and fees. This system has four direct implications:

• Sellers can no longer use ”personal account receipts” to evade taxes;
• You must use a local Brazilian CPF (Individual Tax ID) or CNPJ (Corporate Tax ID) to link your payment account;
• You must open a local bank account in Brazil; the platform does not support direct withdrawals via SWIFT;
• Tax filing obligations have been clarified, and gray areas have been significantly reduced.

II. CPF/CNPJ: Identification Numbers for Receiving Payments in Brazil

CPF(Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is the Brazilian individual taxpayer identification number,CNPJ(Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica) is Brazil’s corporate tax ID number. On the Brazilian version of Meituan, the payment account must be linked to one of the following: an individual seller’s CPF or a Brazilian company’s CNPJ.

For business sellers, the tax costs associated with using a CNPJ are significantly lower than those for individual CPFs. The overall tax burden for local CNPJ businesses can be reduced to 14%–18%, while the actual tax burden for individual sellers may be higher.

Basic Process for CNPJ Registration:

1. Incorporate a company in Brazil (such as a "Limitada" limited liability company);

2. Apply for a CNPJ with the Brazilian Tax Authority;

3. Simultaneously open a business account at Banco Itaú, Bradesco, or Banco do Brasil;

4. Link your CNPJ and local account through the Meiketuo seller dashboard;

5. Wait for the platform to review your application. Once approved, you will be able to receive payments as usual.

The entire process typically takes 60–90 days. Qicaiying offers a one-stop service covering everything from Brazilian company registration and CNPJ application to opening a bank account and linking to Mercado Libre.

III. Local Bank Accounts: The Step Where Cross-Border Sellers Most Often Run Into Trouble

Why is it necessary to open a local account?

Brazilian law requires that payments received from overseas must go through a local clearing network and cannot be sent directly to China via SWIFT. Additionally, local Brazilian bank accounts maintain complete transaction records for anti-money laundering, compliance reviews, and tax reporting, serving as the infrastructure for compliant payment receipt.

Available Banks and Their Features:

• Itaú: Brazil's largest private bank; it offers a streamlined process for opening corporate accounts, but has strict requirements for verifying the information of foreign shareholders.
• Bradesco: It serves a large number of Chinese corporate clients and offers relatively comprehensive support in Chinese.
• Banco do Brasil (Bank of Brazil): State-owned enterprises; they are business-friendly toward trading companies, but the account opening process is slow.
• Santander, Caixa: This is an alternative option; account opening policies are subject to change at any time.

Documents Required to Open an Account:

• Certificate of Incorporation (Contrato Social)
• CNPJ Tax ID Number
• Passport, visa, or permanent resident status of the legal representative
• Articles of Incorporation, List of Directors
• Proof of a Local Business Address in Brazil
• Statement of Source of Funds (SOFT-COMPLIANCE)

Chinese sellers who do not have a local business address in Brazil can resolve this issue through the ”affiliation plan” or ”business secretary address” services provided by Qicaiying.

IV. CBS/IBS Dual VAT System: A Reshuffling of the Tax Burden in 2026

Starting in August 2026, Brazil officially implemented a dual value-added tax (VAT) system consisting of the CBS (Federal Social Contribution VAT) and the IBS (State/Municipal VAT). This reform marks the most significant tax reform in Brazil in nearly 60 years.

Before the reform (ICMS + ISS + PIS/COFINS)::

• Tax rates vary by state (ICMS 12%–25%)
• Service tax and goods tax are calculated separately
• The combined tax burden for cross-border stores is approximately 181 TP3T–241 TP3T.

After the Reform (CBS+IBS)::

• CBS Federal Value-Added Tax 0%–9% (Tiered)
• IBS State/Municipal VAT 0%—10% (Tiered)
• The combined tax burden for cross-border stores is approximately 20%—25%.
• Domestic CNPJ companies can combine tax incentives, reducing their overall tax burden to 14%–18%.

Specific Impact on Cross-Border Sellers:

1. Changes in the tax structure for imported goods;

2. The platform withholds sales tax on certain products;

3. The tax burden gap between cross-border and domestic stores has widened further;

4. Changes to the logic governing tax refunds and credits.

Qicaiying’s Recommendation: Unless your long-term strategy is to operate as a ”light-asset cross-border store for product testing,” you should consider registering a local company in Brazil and obtaining a CNPJ starting in the second half of 2026. This will reduce the combined tax burden from 20%–25% for cross-border stores to 14%–18% for local stores. For mid-sized sellers, every 5-percentage-point reduction in the overall tax burden can result in annual savings of hundreds of thousands of yuan.

V. Choosing Between Cross-Border and Domestic Stores

Cross-Border Store (CBT)::

• Advantages: Quick registration (only requires a business license from mainland China or Hong Kong, China), low operating costs;
• Disadvantages: Overall tax burden of 20%–25%; no local entity credit; limited expansion into the local market; prone to triggering platform compliance reviews.

Local Store (CNPJ + Local Warehouse)::

• Advantages: Overall tax burden of 14%–18%; full access to Mercado Pago’s features (including local credit services); easier access to the Brazil Full warehouse logistics system; and higher consumer trust;
• Disadvantages: The registration process is lengthy (60–90 days); a local legal representative or a compliant registered office address is required; a local bank account is required; and operating costs are slightly higher.

Practical Advice from Qicaiying:

1. Initial Product Testing for Cross-Border Stores: First, use a cross-border store to test product categories, traffic, and conversion rates, and ensure that logistics and after-sales processes run smoothly.

2. Mid-Term Localization Strategy: When monthly sales of a single product consistently exceed 500 orders or monthly GMV exceeds $20,000, register for a local CNPJ.

3. Long-Term Brand Management: A local CNPJ, brand registration, full-service warehouse, and brand store—together, these form a comprehensive competitive advantage.

VI. Four Types of Compliance Pitfalls and a Guide to Avoiding Them

Pitfall 1: Continuing to sell without linking a CPF/CNPJ.

If a seller is selling on Meike Duo’s Brazil site without a CPF/CNPJ on file, the platform will suspend payments and require the seller to register the CPF/CNPJ. To complete the registration, the seller must provide complete documentation; the review process takes approximately 30–45 days. During this period, payment proceeds will be frozen.

Pitfall #2: Opening a Brazilian bank account using a Chinese ID.

Some sellers attempt to open Brazilian bank accounts directly using domestic identification documents, which is a high-risk practice. Brazilian banks enforce strict KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements for foreigners, who must provide valid identification (passport + visa/RNE) and a local tax ID number.

Pitfall 3: Mixing the tax statuses of cross-border and domestic stores.

Some sellers use the same tax identification number for both their cross-border and domestic stores, which leads to confusion in tax reporting. The compliant approach is to ”operate under separate legal entities”—with the cross-border store associated with the Chinese parent company and the domestic store associated with the Brazilian subsidiary.

Pitfall 4: Ignoring the impact of split payments on cash flow.

After the revenue split, the amount the seller receives is the net amount ”after taxes,” not the total sales amount. The cash flow model needs to be recalculated. If you base your cash flow budget on the original total sales amount, you may experience cash flow constraints.

Qicaiying Group’s services include: Brazilian company registration (Limited Liability Company), CNPJ application, opening a Brazilian bank account, CPF (individual tax ID) application, local registered office address, bookkeeping and tax filing, tax planning, integration with local warehouses, and CBS/IBS dual VAT compliance guidance. We have helped over 200 Chinese cross-border e-commerce businesses achieve compliance and establish a local presence in Latin America, shortening the compliance cycle by an average of 30–45 days. Whether you are currently in the product testing phase for your cross-border store or preparing to transition to a local store to deepen your presence in the Brazilian market, Qicaiying can provide one-on-one support for your market entry. Consultation Hotline: 18676749275; Add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan.

VII. Checklist for Implementing Compliance Measures

If you plan to begin the compliance process for the Mercado Libre Brazil site in the second half of 2026, follow the checklist below:

T-0 (Decide on Layout):

• Determine the product category and sales targets;
• Assess whether the current cross-border store model is sufficient;
• Decide whether to register for a local CNPJ at the same time.

T-30 (Registration Begins):

• Initiate the registration of a Brazilian company (provide shareholder information and business scope);
• Apply for a CNPJ tax ID at the same time;
• Select a partner bank and prepare the documents needed to open an account;
• Provide a local secretary's address or office address.

T-60 (Bank Account Opening):

• Complete the in-person bank interview and KYC verification;
• Link the CNPJ and local account in the Meike Duo backend;
• Begin the basic work of bookkeeping and tax filing.

T-90 (Compliance Implementation):

• Complete the first tax return;
• Complete the compliance integration of the CBS and IBS dual VAT systems;
• Complete the compliance transition for local CNPJ accounts and cross-border stores;
• Enter the ”cross-border store product testing + domestic store volume scaling” dual-track operational phase.

VIII. Conclusion: Compliance Is the Key to Entering the Brazilian Market

The scale and opportunities of the Brazilian market are real—a population of 210 million, the world’s eighth-largest GDP, and a steadily rising e-commerce penetration rate. At the same time, however, the complexity of compliance in the Brazilian market far exceeds that of other Latin American countries—separate account payments, the dual CBS/IBS VAT system, CPF/CNPJ registration, local bank accounts, and a local registered office address—and not a single step can be skipped.

For Chinese sellers planning to enter the Brazilian market in the second half of 2026,Compliance is no longer a question of ”whether” to do it, but rather ”how” to do it.” The issue. Testing product lines in cross-border stores and scaling up sales through domestic CNPJ entities is the optimal implementation strategy at this stage.

Qicaiying Group is a council member of the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association. With its own accounting firm, a licensed secretarial company, and a professional team of 400 people, the group offers comprehensive end-to-end services covering Brazilian company registration, CNPJ/CPF tax registration, local bank account opening, CBS/IBS dual VAT compliance, Mercado Libre local store operations, and Mercado Pago payment solutions. We have helped over 200 Chinese cross-border e-commerce businesses achieve compliance and establish a local presence in Latin America, shortening the compliance cycle by an average of 30–45 days. If you’re looking to deeply penetrate and master the Brazilian market in the second half of 2026, please contact Qicaiying to receive a customized Latin American compliance plan. Consultation Hotline: 18676749275; add WeChat: Qicaiyingjituan.