Market requirements 8 min read Published 2026-11-12 By the Karlead sourcing team

Brazil standard plug LED flashlight: what importers need to know before ordering

A "Brazil standard plug" torch is not an EU-plug torch with a different box. Brazil uses its own plug geometry under NBR 14136, sells mains power at both 127 V and 220 V depending on the state, and applies its own import classification. Getting any of the three wrong produces a container that cannot be retailed.

The short answer

The Brazilian plug is a two-pin round plug under NBR 14136, rated 10 A with 4.0 mm pins and 20 A with 4.8 mm pins, in a recessed socket.
Brazil is not a single-voltage market: 127 V dominates São Paulo and Rio, 220 V dominates the Northeast and much of the South.
Portable electric lamps generally fall under HS 8513.10 — confirm with your broker, and confirm whether your product falls in an INMETRO compulsory-certification family.
Label and manual language, plug mould and rated voltage should be fixed in the purchase order, not left to the packing list.

What "Brazil standard plug" actually means

NBR 14136 is the Brazilian standard for plugs and sockets. The two-pin version used on small appliances and rechargeable torches has round pins in a recessed socket: 4.0 mm pins for the 10 A rating and 4.8 mm pins for 20 A. The three-pin version adds a flat earth pin, which a double-insulated torch does not need.

Physically the 4.0 mm two-pin plug is close to the European Europlug, which is why EU stock sometimes "works" in Brazil. That is not the same as being correct: the socket is recessed, retail buyers expect the plug to seat without an adapter, and a plug that fits loosely generates returns. For a retail program, specify the mould to NBR 14136 dimensions and say so on the purchase order.

Why built-in-plug torches sell in Brazil

A torch that folds its own two-pin plug out of the handle removes the charger from the purchase. There is no wall adapter to lose, no USB cable to fail, and no separate power supply to certify or stock. In a market where a large share of torches are sold through hardware stores, street markets and marketplaces at low price points, that simplicity is the product.

The trade-off is that the plug is a moulded part of the housing, so the plug standard is fixed at tooling. You cannot convert an EU-plug housing into a Brazil-plug housing by changing the carton — it needs a different mould insert or a different housing.

Voltage: 127 V or 220 V?

Brazil runs two distribution voltages. 127 V is standard in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and much of the Southeast and Centre-West; 220 V is standard in the Northeast, the North and parts of the South, and some states use both within the same city. A torch designed for 127 V will charge slowly or not at all on 220 V, and the reverse can overheat the charging circuit.

Selling into one region: specify that region's voltage only, and print it on the housing and the box.
National retail or marketplace: split the order by voltage, or specify a wide-input charging circuit if the platform allows it.
Never ship a single-voltage product without a voltage marking — it is the most common cause of a return in this category.

Import notes: classification, scope and documents

Item	What to confirm
HS classification	Portable electric lamps generally sit under 8513.10. Confirm the NCM code with your Brazilian broker before the order, not after.
INMETRO	Compulsory certification applies to defined product families. Whether a rechargeable torch is in scope depends on classification and intended use — ask your importer of record to confirm, and request the test reports you would need if sampling is required.
ANATEL	Not applicable to a torch with no radio. It becomes relevant only if you add Bluetooth or another wireless function.
Label and manual	Consumer products in Brazil are expected in Portuguese. Budget for pt-BR artwork, not a sticker over an English box.
Battery transport	Lithium packs need UN38.3 plus MSDS for air freight; lead-acid and NiMH packs still need the MSDS.

We supply the product data and per-order test records your importer needs to assess INMETRO scope, and we can build samples for testing.

The Brazil-plug range: seven models, real specifications

Model	LED configuration	Battery	Unit size (mm)	Pcs / carton
AT-605	5LED + 1W	4V 400mAh rechargeable	160 × 50 × 40	72
AT-607	7LED + 1W	4V 800mAh rechargeable	150 × 80 × 60	48
AT-608	1W + 8SMD	4V 1000mAh rechargeable	190 × 95 × 60	48
AT-609	9LED + 1W	4V 700mAh rechargeable	210 × 65 × 45	48
AT-611	11LED + 1W	4V 1200mAh rechargeable	260 × 85 × 50	48
AT-612	7LED / 9LED / 12LED + 1W	4V 800mAh rechargeable	205 × 70 × 50	48
AT-615	15LED + 1W	4V 1200mAh rechargeable	180 × 105 × 90	40

All seven models carry a built-in two-pin AC plug for direct wall charging. Voltage is specified per order.

Packing details Brazilian buyers check

Voltage marking on both the housing and the retail box, in Portuguese.
Plug pins protected so they cannot pierce the box in transit — a common cause of damaged returns.
Carton quantity that matches the pallet pattern you actually receive; 40 and 48 pcs cartons behave differently on a mixed pallet.
Barcode and, if you sell on marketplaces, the inner-case label your fulfilment partner scans.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Brazil plug the same as the European plug?

They are close but not identical. Both use two round pins, and the 4.0 mm Europlug will often enter a Brazilian socket. The Brazilian standard, NBR 14136, specifies a recessed socket and rates the plug at 10 A (4.0 mm pins) or 20 A (4.8 mm pins). For retail in Brazil, specify a plug moulded to NBR 14136 rather than relying on fit.

Which voltage should I order for Brazil, 127 V or 220 V?

Match the state you sell in or split the order. 127 V is standard in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and much of the Southeast and Centre-West; 220 V is standard in the Northeast, the North and parts of the South. National distributors usually order both and mark the retail box accordingly.

Do I need INMETRO certification to import rechargeable torches into Brazil?

INMETRO compulsory certification applies to specific product families rather than to every electrical item. Whether your torch is in scope depends on its classification and intended use, so the importer of record should confirm before the order is placed. What you should request from the factory either way is the product data sheet and per-order test records, so a testing laboratory can evaluate the sample.

What HS code applies to LED flashlights?

Portable electric lamps generally fall under HS 8513.10. Brazil uses NCM codes, so confirm the eight-digit NCM with your broker — the classification affects both duty and whether a compulsory certification applies.

Why do Brazilian buyers prefer a built-in plug instead of a USB charger?

It removes an accessory from the box: no adapter to lose, no cable to fail, no separate power supply to stock or certify. It also lowers the landed cost per unit at low retail price points. The constraint is that the plug becomes part of the housing mould, so the standard must be decided before tooling.

Can the plug be changed after the order is placed?

Not on a moulded housing. The plug is formed by the housing tool or an insert, so changing from EU to NBR 14136 means a different tool or insert and a new sample approval. Decide the plug standard, the voltage and the retail language before you approve tooling.

How many pieces fit in a carton?

For the Brazil-plug range it runs from 40 pcs (AT-615) to 72 pcs (AT-605) per carton, depending on body size. Carton dimensions and gross weight are quoted per model so you can calculate the container load before ordering.

Is a two-pin plug acceptable for a double-insulated torch?

Yes. A double-insulated Class II product does not require a protective earth, so the two-pin version of NBR 14136 is the normal choice. The three-pin version with the flat earth pin is used where the appliance needs earthing.

Products referenced in this guide

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