Is Purchasing Everclear Legal in Brazil After the 2026 Regulatory Updates?

No, purchasing Everclear (a high-proof ethanol-based spirit) in Brazil is illegal due to strict federal alcohol regulations. The National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) classifies spirits over 54% ABV as controlled substances, prohibiting their sale and import. State-level alcohol boards enforce additional restrictions, with penalties including fines and confiscation.

Key Regulations for Purchasing Everclear in Brazil

  • ANVISA Resolution 7/2023 bans the manufacture, sale, or import of spirits exceeding 54% ABV, classifying them as “high-risk” under health safety protocols.
  • Federal Law 13.541/2017 and Decree 6.871/2009 prohibit the commercialization of undenatured ethanol solutions, including Everclear, without special permits reserved for industrial or medical use.
  • State-level enforcement: São Paulo’s Projeto de Lei 547/2024 and Rio de Janeiro’s Deliberação CEE 01/2025 reinforce federal bans, with local police conducting raids on unauthorized sales.

Everclear’s 95% ABV exceeds Brazil’s legal threshold for potable spirits (max 54% ABV under ANVISA RDC 78/2020). Travelers attempting to import personal quantities face customs seizures under Receita Federal Normative Instruction 1.801/2018. Exceptions exist only for licensed laboratories or pharmacies under ANVISA’s Portaria 344/1998, requiring prior authorization. Non-compliance risks criminal liability under Brazilian Penal Code Article 273 for health-endangering products.