Law No. 15,485/2026 Enacted: New rules for road freight transport, minimum freight rates, and ANTT oversight

Federal Law No. 15,485/2026, published in the Federal Official Gazette, significantly reshapes the legal framework governing for-hire road freight transportation. The statute addresses the National Policy on Minimum Freight Rates for Road Freight Transportation (“PNPM-TRC”), the mandatory registration of transport operations through the Transport Operation Identification Code (“CIOT”), and the sanctioning regime applicable to freight rates set below the minimum threshold. Among other statutes, it amends Law No. 13,703/2018.

The new law results from the conversion of Provisional Measure No. 1,343/2026 (“Freight MP”), in effect since March, which had already expanded the enforcement and sanction mechanisms. Upon conversion, some of the measures introduced by the Freight MP were retained and others were adjusted. Brazil’s Presidency vetoed certain provisions approved by the National Congress, including the one converting fines for noncompliance with the minimum rate into mere warnings. The vetoes may still be reviewed by the National Congress.

In general terms, the new law provides for the following:

• Reinforcement of the mandatory nature of minimum freight rates: The law establishes that minimum freight rates must reflect the total operating costs of transportation and are binding on the parties. Noncompliance requires the offender to indemnify the carrier in an amount of up to twice the applicable minimum rate, without prejudice to other penalties. The calculation methodology takes into account factors such as distance, vehicle type, number of axles, cargo characteristics, fuel costs, maintenance, and productivity.
• Semiannual updates and transparency: The National Land Transport Agency (“ANTT”) must publish, every six months, by January 20 and July 20, an update to the minimum freight rates, together with the corresponding calculation report, the parameters used, and the data sources considered. Extraordinary adjustments also remain in place whenever the price of the fuels considered in the methodology fluctuates by 5% or more.
• Expansion of enforcement mechanisms and administrative sanctions: The law creates new enforcement and sanction measures for repeated or recurring noncompliance with the minimum freight rates, including:
  • temporary suspension from the National Registry of Road Freight Carriers (“RNTRC”);
  • cancellation of registration in cases of persistent noncompliance; and
  • an increased fine of up to BRL 1,000,000.00 in certain cases of repeat violations. These measures had already been introduced by the Freight MP and were retained.
• Liability of digital platforms and intermediaries: Parties that advertise, offer, or broker freight rates below the minimum rate, including through platforms, electronic systems, or applications, are now subject to penalties. In addition, any offer must expressly state the freight rate.
• Expansion of CIOT requirements: Every operation must be registered in advance through the CIOT, with information on the parties involved, the cargo, the origin and destination, the value, the method of payment, and the payment deadline. CIOT is now required before the trip begins, and ANTT may block the issuance of the CIOT if the operation fails to comply with the minimum rate or lacks the mandatory information. Failure to register requires the offender to pay a fine of BRL 10,500.00. These provisions were upheld from the Freight MP.
• Freight payment deadline: Payment must be made within 30 business days, and both the method and the deadline must be specified in the CIOT.

• Transition rule maintained: The adaptation period already provided for in the Freight MP remains in effect, with a minimum of 60 days if there is a significant operational impact. The law details the applicable cases, such as obligations that depend on regulation, technological integration, registration adjustments, or budgetary projections.
• Changes related to independent freight carriers (“TACs”): TACs duly registered with the RNTRC are authorized to opt for paying their social security contributions directly to the General Social Security System (“RGPS”). In such cases, the contracting company is no longer responsible for withholding and remitting those contributions.
• Participation of TACs in federal public procurement: The Federal Government must seek to ensure that TACs receive up to 30% of contracted operations through accreditation, provided that there are compliant service providers and technical, operational, and economic feasibility.
• Salary floor for professional long-distance drivers: The salary floor will be established through collective bargaining agreements and conventions, with no specific statutory amount.

Law No. 15,485/2026 took effect on the date of its publication and reinforces the binding nature of the minimum freight rates, expands CIOT-related obligations, and strengthens ANTT’s enforcement powers, with direct impacts on freight contracts, pricing policies, and registration routines.

Demarest’s Public and Regulatory Law, and Infrastructure, Transport and Logistics teams are monitoring this topic closely and remain available to provide any further clarification.