Can a Chinese Manufacturer Help You Get INMETRO Certification for Brazil?

Can a Chinese Manufacturer Help You Get INMETRO Certification for Brazil?

For Brazilian clients looking to purchase industrial scales from China, the process often comes with concerns—INMETRO certification rules are intricate, missteps can lead to financial losses, and many buyers worry about shipment delays or rejected goods due to non-compliance.

Yes, a Chinese manufacturer can support your INMETRO certification for Brazil by providing compliant designs, technical documents, and test samples, while the final certification must be completed locally in Brazil through an authorized OCP body.

When I first started working with Brazilian clients, this question came up again and again. Many buyers believed certification had to come fully from China. Others thought Chinese factories had no role at all. Both ideas are wrong. The truth sits in the middle, and understanding that middle saves time, money, and stress.

Can a Chinese Manufacturer Really Support the INMETRO Process?

Many buyers worry that overseas suppliers will disappear once certification starts. That fear is real, and I have seen it happen.

A Chinese manufacturer can support INMETRO certification by preparing compliant products, supplying technical files, and cooperating with Brazilian labs, but they cannot issue the INMETRO certificate themselves.

From my experience, support starts long before any document is submitted in Brazil. I always begin by checking if the scale design already aligns with INMETRO and OIML requirements. That includes load cell approval, indicator accuracy class, sealing methods, and nameplate details. If the design is wrong, no lab in Brazil can fix it later.

What Support Actually Looks Like in Practice

When a Brazilian importer contacts me, I break the process into simple parts. I do not promise certificates. I promise preparation.

Here is how a reliable Chinese supplier usually supports the process:

I remember a customer in SO Pablo who wanted a 3-ton floor scale for a recycling yard. His first supplier sent a sample that passed weight tests but failed sealing inspection. Water entered the junction box. The lab stopped everything. We corrected the design, sealed the cable entries, and resubmitted. That one design change saved him weeks on his second attempt.

Who Is Responsible for Final INMETRO Certification in Brazil?

This is where confusion often causes disputes. Some buyers expect the factory to “handle everything.” That is not how INMETRO works.

The importer or brand owner in Brazil is responsible for working with an authorized OCP, while the Chinese manufacturer provides technical and product support.

I always explain this early, because clarity builds trust. The certification contract is signed in Brazil. The testing is done in Brazil. The certificate is issued in Brazil. My role is to make sure the product passes smoothly.

How Responsibilities Are Normally Split

To make this clear, I often share a simple responsibility map with my clients:

One customer once asked me, “So why do I need a cooperative factory if certification is local?” My answer was simple. Without the right factory support, the local process slows down or fails. Certification is local. Success is global teamwork.

What Should You Ask a Chinese Supplier Before Starting INMETRO?

Before you place an order, you should ask questions that reveal experience, not promises.

You should ask about past INMETRO projects, document readiness, and sample consistency, not whether they can “issue” a certificate.

From my side, I welcome these questions. They show the buyer understands the process.

Here are the questions I suggest every Brazilian buyer asks:

- Have you supported INMETRO certification before?

- Can you share a document list you normally prepare?

- Will the test sample be taken from mass production?

- How do you handle design changes after lab feedback?

- Who will respond to OCP or lab technical questions?

I once worked with a distributor in Rio who skipped these questions with his first supplier. Six months later, he restarted everything with us. This time, the process moved forward without surprises.

Why the Right Manufacturer Makes INMETRO Easier, Not Harder

INMETRO certification is strict, but it is not impossible. Problems usually come from poor preparation.

The right Chinese manufacturer reduces risk by aligning design, documents, and production before testing begins.

In my daily work, I see certification as a checklist, not a mystery. When design, sealing, accuracy, and labeling are correct, labs focus on verification, not correction. That saves cost and time.

I also remind buyers that certification is not a one-time task. Market surveillance continues. Consistent production quality matters. A factory that understands this will protect your brand long after the first certificate is issued.
Conclusion

A Chinese manufacturer cannot issue INMETRO certificates, but the right one makes certification faster, safer, and more predictable through proper design, documents, and long-term cooperation.