Start an online store in Brazil.
Pix handles 90%+ of ecommerce. Cards + installments common. Boleto (paper voucher) still used in older demographics.
Market snapshot
Latin America's largest ecommerce market — $200B+ online commerce. Pix (instant bank) has transformed checkout since 2020.
Recommended platforms
Best-fit platforms for Brazil.
Ranked by country fit. We factored local payment methods, currency support, tax compliance tools, and the quality of regional agency ecosystems.
Shopify
Top pickThe fastest, most polished way to launch a store.
Most popular choice for DTC. Mercado Pago + Pagar.me + EBANX integrate cleanly. Portuguese-native themes available.
WooCommerce
The most flexible, content-driven way to sell online.
For catalog-heavy merchants. Local plugins for Nota Fiscal (issue invoices) + Correios shipping are mature.
Magento (Adobe Commerce)
Enterprise ecommerce for complex catalogs and global operations.
For enterprise — Magazine Luiza, Americanas run Magento. Brazilian agency network is one of world's largest.
Payment gateways
6 gateways available in Brazil.
Native to Brazil
Global gateways available here
Checkout expectations
What Brazil buyers expect to see at checkout.
Missing any of the dominant methods below typically costs 15-40% of conversions. Pick a gateway that covers these:
Legal + operational
Tax, KYC, and cross-border realities.
Tax & VAT
Very complex: ICMS (state) + PIS/COFINS (federal) + ISS (services) stack differently per state. Nota Fiscal electronic invoice is mandatory for every sale.
KYC & registration
CNPJ (business registration) + Brazilian bank account + local fiscal address. Foreign merchants usually open a Simples Nacional MEI or standard LTDA.
Cross-border considerations
Cross-border imports carry 60%+ effective tax + duty. Most global brands set up local entity + inventory once volume > 300 orders/month.
Top categories online
- Fashion
- Beauty
- Home & kitchen
- Electronics
- Food supplements
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Not offering Pix — you'll lose 70% of buyers
- ✗Pricing single-shot instead of parcelado (installments) — Brazilians expect 6-12 month payment splits
- ✗DIY tax setup — use Contabilizei / Omie or an accountant. This is not a DIY country.
Questions about Brazil
Founders ask these a lot.
What's the best ecommerce platform for Brazil?+
Shopify is typically our top pick for Brazil. Most popular choice for DTC. Mercado Pago + Pagar.me + EBANX integrate cleanly. Portuguese-native themes available.
Which payment methods do Brazil buyers expect at checkout?+
Pix handles 90%+ of ecommerce. Cards + installments common. Boleto (paper voucher) still used in older demographics.
How many payment gateways are available in Brazil?+
We track 6 payment gateways operating in Brazil: Stripe, PayPal, Adyen, Mercado Pago, dLocal, EBANX. Mercado Pago, EBANX are native to the country.
What are the tax requirements to sell online in Brazil?+
Very complex: ICMS (state) + PIS/COFINS (federal) + ISS (services) stack differently per state. Nota Fiscal electronic invoice is mandatory for every sale.
What registration / KYC do I need to launch in Brazil?+
CNPJ (business registration) + Brazilian bank account + local fiscal address. Foreign merchants usually open a Simples Nacional MEI or standard LTDA.
Need a launch plan for Brazil?
30 minutes with Dharmendra — platform pick, gateway setup, tax strategy, and the first-90-days roadmap specific to your Brazil business.
Book a call · $29