What is CT-e
CT-e (Conhecimento de Transporte Eletrônico) is the electronic invoice for freight transport services in Brazil, issued by the carrier (logistics company) to the shipper. It works hand-in-hand with the NF-e: goods in circulation must have an NF-e, and goods in transit must have a CT-e. The CT-e is not just an invoice — it is also the legal document during the transport of goods. When a truck is stopped for a roadside inspection, the police will ask to see the three documents: CT-e + NF-e + MDF-e.
The Four CT-e Models
- CT-e Normal (model 57): the standard transport CT-e, the most common
- CT-e OS (Outros Serviços, model 67): other transport services, such as shuttles, taxis and intercity passenger transport
- CT-e GTV (Globalizado de Transporte de Valor): valuables transport (armored cash transport)
- CT-e Anulação: void / reverse CT-e
Core Capabilities of TF Fiscal's CT-e API
1. Support for All Models and Transport Modes
Supports 4 CT-e models + 5 transport modes (road Rodoviário / air Aéreo / waterway Aquaviário / rail Ferroviário / multimodal Multimodal).
2. Automatic Linking to the Original NF-e
When issuing a CT-e, declare the list of NF-e being transported (chaves de NFe), and the system automatically validates the NF-e status and links them bidirectionally. In later lookups you can find the NF-e from the CT-e, and the CT-e from the NF-e.
3. Complete Declaration of Driver, Vehicle and Route
The CT-e must declare the carrying driver's CPF, the vehicle's license plate and the transport route (origin → transit → destination). TF Fiscal provides driver and vehicle master-data management to avoid repeated data entry.
4. Full API for Cancellation, Return and Correction
Supports operational actions such as Cancelamento (cancellation, within 24h), Carta de Correção (correction letter) and Anulação (reverse CT-e).
5. Automatic DACTE PDF Generation
The DACTE (Documento Auxiliar do CT-e) is the printable copy of the CT-e and must be carried on the vehicle. TF Fiscal automatically generates a SEFAZ-compliant DACTE, including the QR Code.
Typical Use Cases
- Cross-border logistics providers: Brazilian local logistics companies serving Chinese businesses going global
- 3PL overseas warehouses: last-mile delivery for Shopee 3PF / AliExpress overseas warehouses
- Chinese sellers with self-operated warehousing and delivery: businesses with their own warehouses and delivery fleets in Brazil
- Multimodal transport: end-to-end tracking from cross-border sea freight arrival at port to onward land transport
Pricing
CT-e issuance capability is included in TF Fiscal plans — see Pricing. Large customers with high logistics volumes who need an isolated resource pool or a dedicated SLA can contact sales for a custom enterprise plan.
FAQ
Q: I'm not a logistics company, just a shipper — do I need to issue a CT-e?
No. The CT-e is issued by the carrier (logistics company). As the shipper, you only need to keep the CT-e the logistics provider gives you. However, if you transport your own goods with your own fleet, you need to issue a CT-e for self-transport (autotransporte).
Q: What is the relationship between CT-e and MDF-e?
The CT-e is the contract document for "transporting one shipment" (one document per shipment). The MDF-e is the transport declaration for when "one vehicle is loaded with multiple shipments" (aggregating multiple CT-e). The two are used together. See
MDF-e Electronic Transport Manifest.
Q: Are there special requirements for interstate transport?
Yes. The CT-e for interstate transport involves ICMS interstate tax rules, and an MDF-e must also be issued at the same time.
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