e-CNPJ A3 — 2 years | Online Issuance

The e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) A3 stores the company's private key on a physical device (USB token or smart card), ensuring maximum security. This product includes the certificate only. The company must have a compatible token or smart card. Valid for 2 years and issued via video call. Recommended for banking systems, foreign trade (SISCOMEX/Radar, Brazilian foreign trade systems) and business registry offices that require A3.

Required documentation (online issuance): CNH (Brazilian driver's license) of the legal representative issued after 2017 (mandatory). Any additional company documents will be requested during the video call itself, with no red tape.

What it is for

• Issuing NF-e (Brazilian Electronic Invoice, model 55)
• Issuing NFC-e (Brazilian Electronic Consumer Invoice, model 65)
• Issuing CT-e (Brazilian Electronic Bill of Lading)
• Issuing MDF-e (Brazilian Electronic Fiscal Documents Manifest)
• Issuing NFS-e (Brazilian Electronic Service Invoice)
• Access to e-CAC PJ (Receita Federal, the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service online portal for legal entities)
• Filing IRPJ, CSLL, PIS/COFINS and CIDE (Brazilian federal corporate taxes)
• Submitting EFD-Reinf (Brazilian Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings)
• Submitting eSocial Empresas (Brazilian employer labor reporting: payroll, hirings, terminations)
• Submitting ECF (Brazilian Tax Accounting Bookkeeping)
• Submitting ECD (Brazilian Digital Accounting Bookkeeping, also known as SPED Contábil)
• Transmitting DCTFWeb (Brazilian federal tax debts and credits return)
• Reinstating an inactive or irregular company by signing the request on e-CAC (Brazilian Federal Revenue online portal) without appearing in person
• Access to the state SEFAZ (Brazilian state tax authority) portal (SEFAZ-e, NFCE, among others)
• Communication with the Central Bank of Brazil (DLO operational limits statement, requests and information)
• Registration and filing of returns under Simples Nacional (Brazilian simplified tax regime for small businesses)
• Access to Caixa Econômica Federal's Conectividade Social (corporate FGTS, the Brazilian employee severance fund)
• Electronic public tenders and reverse auctions (ComprasNet, BEC, PNCP, Brazilian public procurement portals)
• Registration with SISCOMEX (Brazilian integrated foreign trade system) for foreign trade operations
• Registration with the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) Radar system (imports and exports)
• Signing business contracts and corporate acts with legal validity
• Issuing electronic powers of attorney to represent the company
• Electronic communication with Juntas Comerciais (Brazilian state commercial registries) to open, amend and close a CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID)
• Access to the Social Security Services Portal (corporate INSS, the Brazilian Social Security Institute)
• Issuing certificates of good standing (CND, CRF, CPEN, Brazilian tax and FGTS clearance certificates)
• Signing business credit and financing agreements online
• Registration on supplier accreditation portals (supply chain)
• Electronic signing of corporate legal documents (contracts, minutes, bylaws)

Frequently asked questions

What is the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) and what is it used for?

The e-CNPJ is the Legal Entity Digital Certificate issued under the ICP-Brasil (Brazilian public key infrastructure) standard. It digitally identifies the company, allowing it to issue electronic invoices, sign documents with legal validity, access government portals on behalf of the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID) and meet all electronic tax, accounting and labor obligations required by Brazilian law.

Do I need an e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to issue NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoices)?

Yes. Issuing NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice, model 55), NFC-e (Brazilian electronic consumer invoice, model 65), CT-e (Electronic Bill of Lading) and MDF-e (Electronic Fiscal Documents Manifest) requires the company to hold a valid e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to digitally sign the XML files transmitted to SEFAZ (Brazilian state tax authority). Without a digital certificate, the company cannot issue electronic tax documents.

Can the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) be used to reinstate an inactive or irregular company with the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service)?

Yes. With the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate), the legal representative can access the company's e-CAC (Brazilian Federal Revenue online service portal), check the registration status of the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID), settle outstanding debts and electronically sign the reactivation request. None of this requires an in-person visit to the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service). The process can be completed 100% online.

Can I use the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to take part in public tenders?

Yes. The e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) is required to qualify for and take part in electronic reverse auctions and public tenders on ComprasNet (federal government), BEC (São Paulo), PNCP (Brazil's National Public Procurement Portal) and state and municipal portals. It is used both for submitting bids and for electronically signing contracts.

Does the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) work for imports and exports?

Yes. The e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) is required to register with SISCOMEX (Brazilian integrated foreign trade system) and with the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) Radar system (foreign trade operator authorization). Both are used for foreign trade operations. Without a digital certificate, the company cannot be authorized to import or export goods.

What is the difference between the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) A1 and A3?

The e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) A1 is stored as a file on the computer, which is convenient for everyday NF-e (Brazilian electronic invoice) issuance and portal access. The e-CNPJ A3 is stored on a physical device (token or smart card) for greater security. Some banking systems, foreign trade portals and business registry offices strictly require the A3.

Do I need an e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to submit EFD-Reinf (Brazilian withholding tax reporting) and eSocial Empresas (Brazilian employer labor reporting)?

Yes. Submitting EFD-Reinf (Digital Tax Bookkeeping of Withholdings and Other Tax Information), eSocial Empresas (Brazilian employer labor and payroll reporting system) and DCTFWeb (Brazilian federal tax debts and credits return) requires a digital signature with the e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to authenticate and transmit the events to the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service).

Can an accountant use the company's e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) to sign documents?

The accountant must use their own e-CPF (Brazilian individual digital certificate) along with an electronic power of attorney granted by the company's legal representative on the e-CAC (Brazilian Federal Revenue online service portal). The e-CNPJ (Brazilian corporate digital certificate) belongs to the company's legal representative. For the accountant to sign on behalf of the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID), a duly established electronic power of attorney on the Receita Federal (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service) portal is required.

What is the difference between online and in-person issuance?

With online issuance, the legal representative is validated via video call with biometric analysis, without leaving home. With in-person issuance, the representative goes to an accredited service point. In both cases, the up-to-date articles of incorporation, the CNPJ (Brazilian corporate taxpayer ID) and the representative's ID document must be presented.

After purchasing, how do I get my certificate issued?

Once your payment is confirmed, you will receive instructions by email. For online issuance, schedule the video call and have the following on hand: up-to-date articles of incorporation or bylaws, the CNPJ card (Brazilian corporate registration certificate) and the original ID document of the legal representative. For in-person issuance, go to the service point with the same documentation.