On the eve of the introduction of US tariffs on European imports, Italy is strengthening its trade ties with Brazil through a memorandum of understanding for a new customs agreement between the two countries. The agreement was signed on 26 March 2025 in Brasília by Roberto Alesse, director of the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, and Adriana Gomes Rego, deputy special secretary of the Brazilian Receita Federal. The signing took place in the presence of the Italian ambassador to Brazil, Alessandro Cortese, and the Brazilian undersecretary for customs administration, Fabiano Coelho. Brazil is already a strategic market for Italy, with around one thousand Italian companies operating in the country. Bilateral relations have grown stronger in recent years, supported by an increasing flow of goods and services. This new agreement arrives at a favourable moment, reinforcing the institutional framework that supports trade exchange and economic cooperation.
The memorandum signed in Brasília outlines three main areas of cooperation. The first is the exchange of customs information, with both authorities committed to sharing relevant data to facilitate controls, reduce administrative burdens and improve traceability of operations. The aim is to increase transparency and limit the bureaucratic obstacles that often hamper international trade.
The second objective is the sharing of experiences and strategies. Italy and Brazil will cooperate by exchanging methodologies to combat customs violations and enhance the effectiveness of control activities. This includes adopting proven practices in the fight against smuggling, fraud and tax evasion. The third objective is to facilitate legal trade. One of the cornerstones of the agreement is the creation of a framework to support safe and lawful trade, speeding up customs procedures without compromising security. This represents a crucial step for exporting and importing companies, which will benefit from more streamlined and predictable processes.
The agreement is the result of a process that began in 2023 with the visit of Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Italy. Since then, a structured dialogue between the customs authorities of both countries has taken shape, culminating in the institutional mission of Roberto Alesse to Brasília. During his visit, the director of the Customs and Monopolies Agency also held a meeting with Sandro Torres Avelar, secretary for public security of the Federal District, to discuss joint initiatives against organised crime and in defence of lawful trade.
The signing of the memorandum is not merely a formal gesture, but a tangible investment in the direction of a more stable, transparent and attractive economic environment. For Italian companies operating in Brazil — in sectors ranging from automotive to food, from mechanical engineering to consumer goods — the agreement could lead to faster processing times, lower costs and greater certainty in import and export operations. At the same time, Brazilian firms will enjoy easier access to the European market via Italy, at a time when the South American country is aiming to expand its network of international trade relations.
