Brazil BR
Brazil overhauled its drone rules in 2026: RBAC 100 (in force since mid-2026) replaced the old weight-based classes with a risk-based 'Open'/'Specific' category system, and since 1 July 2026 almost every flight — including drones under 250 g — needs a DECEA SARPAS flight authorisation (often auto-approved in minutes for simple flights). Drones of 250 g or more must also be registered for free in ANAC's SISANT system; foreign visitors register using their passport number instead of a Brazilian CPF.
Your plan
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You're good to go, just follow the local rules
- No registration needed
A 249 g drone with camera doesn't need to be registered in Brazil.
- Bringing your drone in
Air travellers get a duty-free personal baggage allowance of about USD 1,000; above that, a simplified 50% tax applies to the excess. For goods shipped/ordered internationally (outside accompanied baggage), Brazil's 'Remessa Conforme' regime applies a 60% federal import tax plus state ICMS of roughly 17-20% on the declared value plus freight/insurance, once the order exceeds about USD 50. All radio-transmitting drones need ANATEL homologation to be legally operated in Brazil. Many mainstream consumer models (e.g. most current DJI models) are already homologated — check ANATEL's published list. Re-homologating a drone you already own requires the original purchase invoice/nota fiscal; without it the equipment can't be regularised. Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- Before each flight
Fly at or below 120 m (400 ft) AGL, within visual line of sight (VLOS/EVLOS) · Stay at least 30 m horizontally from people not involved in the flight · Since 1 July 2026, a DECEA SARPAS flight authorisation is required before essentially every flight, including drones under 250 g — the only exemption is recreational flying inside an airspace zone specifically conditioned for recreational drone use
Flying
- Fly at or below 120 m (400 ft) AGL, within visual line of sight (VLOS/EVLOS)
- Stay at least 30 m horizontally from people not involved in the flight
- Since 1 July 2026, a DECEA SARPAS flight authorisation is required before essentially every flight, including drones under 250 g — the only exemption is recreational flying inside an airspace zone specifically conditioned for recreational drone use
- Drones of 250 g or more must be registered in ANAC's SISANT system before flying
- Night flying is treated as a moderate-risk 'Specific category' operation needing a separate ANAC/SORA-based authorisation, plus navigation and anti-collision lights
- Imported drones must carry ANATEL homologation to be legally operated — check your model is on ANATEL's approved list before you fly
Commercial use: Professional/commercial operation of a drone over 250 g requires civil liability insurance (RETA — Responsabilidade do Explorador ou Transportador Aéreo) in addition to the standard SISANT registration, ANAC exam and SARPAS authorisation that apply to everyone.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 250 g) Free online registration in SISANT. Brazilian residents use their CPF; foreign visitors register using their passport number instead. Drones under 250 g are exempt from SISANT, but since 1 July 2026 still need a SARPAS flight authorisation for each flight. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Yes (online, from 250 g) ANAC RBAC 100 theoretical exam. Free, online, required for drones of 250 g or more. A transitional grace period for completing the exam was reported to run through the end of 2026 — confirm the current transition deadline before flying if you registered recently. |
| Remote ID | No No broadcast Remote ID mandate. Traceability comes from the SISANT registration number and, since July 2026, the per-flight SARPAS/DASA authorisation record. |
| Insurance | Depends Not required for casual recreational flying. Mandatory (RETA civil liability aviation insurance) for professional/commercial operation of drones 250 g and up. |
| Foreign registration accepted | Yes SISANT explicitly supports foreign visitors: create an account and register your drone (250 g+) using your passport number instead of a CPF — the online process is effectively instant. Before travelling, check whether your specific drone model already has ANATEL homologation; operating an unhomologated radio device is illegal even if SISANT-registered. Since 1 July 2026, request SARPAS flight authorisation via the DECEA/DASA system before every flight, including under-250g drones — simple flights are often auto-approved within minutes. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 250 g | < 250 g | No SISANT registration and no ANAC exam. Since 1 July 2026, still needs a SARPAS flight authorisation before flying (except inside zones conditioned for recreational use). |
| Open category | 250 g – 25 kg | SISANT registration, ANAC theoretical exam, and SARPAS flight authorisation for each flight. VLOS/EVLOS, ≤120 m AGL, 30 m+ from uninvolved people, daylight only. |
| Specific category | any weight, operations beyond Open category limits | Night flight, BVLOS, flight over people, or other non-standard operations need a separate ANAC authorisation based on a SORA risk assessment. |
Import & export
- Air travellers get a duty-free personal baggage allowance of about USD 1,000; above that, a simplified 50% tax applies to the excess. For goods shipped/ordered internationally (outside accompanied baggage), Brazil's 'Remessa Conforme' regime applies a 60% federal import tax plus state ICMS of roughly 17-20% on the declared value plus freight/insurance, once the order exceeds about USD 50.
- All radio-transmitting drones need ANATEL homologation to be legally operated in Brazil. Many mainstream consumer models (e.g. most current DJI models) are already homologated — check ANATEL's published list. Re-homologating a drone you already own requires the original purchase invoice/nota fiscal; without it the equipment can't be regularised.
- Batteries: Carry-on only for spare lithium batteries. Up to 100 Wh freely; 100-160 Wh with airline approval (max 2 spares); over 160 Wh not permitted on passenger aircraft.
- Drones and drone cameras use specific customs tariff codes (NCM 8806.92.00 for the airframe, NCM 8525.80.29 for camera drones) — commercial importers should confirm classification and current rates with a despachante aduaneiro.
- The 60% figure is the commonly cited Imposto de Importação rate under the Remessa Conforme low-value import regime; formal commercial imports via customs broker may be assessed differently depending on classification and any applicable trade agreement.
Export
- Military-grade or dual-use UAV technology can fall under Brazilian Army/Ministry of Defence export controls; ordinary consumer/prosumer camera drones are not normally affected.
Costs
| Operator registration | Free Validity: 24 months |
|---|---|
| ANAC RBAC 100 theoretical exam | Free |
| Import taxes | 60 % duty + 17 % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Flying in Brazil as a tourist Visitors
- Check ANATEL homologation
Confirm your drone model is on ANATEL's approved list before you travel — an unhomologated radio device can't be legally operated.
- Register in SISANT if 250 g+
Create a SISANT account with your passport number and register the drone — it's free and takes only a few minutes online. Open
- Take the ANAC exam if required
Complete the free online RBAC 100 theoretical exam for drones 250 g and up (subject to the current transitional deadline).
- Request SARPAS authorisation before each flight
Since July 2026 this applies even to light/sub-250g drones — use the DECEA/DASA app; straightforward flights are usually auto-approved.
- Follow the core flight rules
Stay at or below 120 m, keep the drone in sight, remain 30 m+ from bystanders, and fly in daylight only unless you hold a Specific-category night authorisation.
Sources
- ANAC — Drones · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- ANAC — Orientações aos usuários do SISANT · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- gov.br — Cadastrar drone básico (SISANT service) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
- ANAC — RBAC nº 100, Emenda 00 (full regulation PDF) · accessed 23 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Operator registration−10
- Pilot test (online)−10
- Mandatory insurance−3
- Night flight permit−6
- Visitors need a flight permit−20
- Visitors must register locally−10
- Duty + VAT ≈ 77 %−25
- Radio / type certification−12
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works