Company Licensing
Manufacturing, importing, distributing, storing or transporting regulated products (or operating a bonded facility) requires specific licences for each activity. We handle that licensing across Brazil, with federal, state and municipal authorities.
- Company stage
- Enable
Authorities and licences.
Each activity and each product class determines which authorities are involved. That classification is the starting point.
ANVISA
Operating Authorization (AFE) and, for companies handling substances under special control, Special Authorization (AE).
- AFE and AE grants
- Changes of activity and address
- Change of responsible persons
Health surveillance
State or municipal health licence and approval of architectural plans with technical assessment reports (LTA), where required.
- Operating licence
- Plans and LTA
- Renewals and changes
MAPA
Establishment registrations with the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock.
- Establishment registration
- Veterinary products
- Food and beverages
Controlled products
Federal Police licences for controlled chemicals, Army licences for products under its control and, where the state requires it, Civil Police licences.
- Federal Police: CRC and CLF
- Army: Registration Certificate
- Civil Police
Environment
Preliminary, installation and operating licences from environmental agencies, and IBAMA registration.
- LP, LI and LO
- IBAMA registration and licences
Municipality and councils
Municipal permits and declarations, and registration of the technical officer with the professional council.
- Operating permit
- Municipal declarations
- Professional council certificates
Foreign company?Explore the Market Entry path
Other services for this stage.
- Product RegistrationEnableClassification, dossier and notification or registration of domestic and imported products at ANVISA and MAPA.
- GMP CertificationsEnableAdaptation to Good Practices and preparation for the certification inspection.
- Compulsory Certification & Foreign MarketsEnableLiaison with certification bodies under the INMETRO and ANATEL schemes and in other compulsory certifications.
Common questions before you start.
What is the difference between AFE, AE and the health licence?
They are three layers of authorization: the AFE, from ANVISA, authorizes the company; the AE, an additional authorization, applies to companies handling substances under special control; and the health licence, from the local health authority at state or municipal level, is granted to the establishment. The AFE covers activities such as manufacturing, importing, distributing, storing and transporting products subject to health surveillance.
Who needs an AFE?
Companies that store, distribute, manufacture, import or transport medicines, medical devices, cosmetics or sanitizing products. There are exemptions, such as retail of cosmetics and sanitizing products. Food establishments are licensed by the local health authority, not by ANVISA.
Do you handle licences outside ANVISA?
Yes. We also obtain the health licence from the local authority, registration with MAPA, the registration and licence from the Federal Police and the Army certificate of registration for controlled products, as well as environmental and municipal licences, anywhere in Brazil.
Last updated: October 2026.
Opening, expanding or changing an operation?
We show which licences the activity requires, in which order to apply and what each authority will ask for.