Brazil's Congress Begins Debate on Minimum Freight Rate Bill

On Tuesday, Brazil's Senate and Chamber of Deputies installed a mixed commission to examine Provisional Measure 1.343/2026, which seeks to enforce a nationwide minimum freight rate for road cargo. The bill mandates that every shipment be recorded through the Transport Operation Identifier Code (CIOT), allowing authorities to verify in advance that the agreed price meets the legal floor set by the National Freight Minimum Policy.

The measure also tightens sanctions for carriers and shippers who offer rates below the minimum, including higher fines, temporary suspension, and possible cancellation of the National Carrier Registry. While the government argues the changes will protect autonomous truck drivers and prevent irregular contracts, transport firms and logistics operators warn that the pre‑emptive verification could increase bureaucracy, reduce market flexibility, and compel renegotiations of long‑term contracts. The commission will appoint a president and a rapporteur before forwarding its report to both houses for a vote.