Brazil Technical Note 2026.004 v1.01: NF-e and NFC-e Schemas Updated for Alphanumeric CNPJ Format

Brazil’s Technical Note 2026.004 v1.01 updates NF-e and NFC-e systems to support the new alphanumeric CNPJ format, which applies only to new registrations while existing CNPJs remain unchanged. The new CNPJ keeps 14 characters, with the first 12 positions alphanumeric and the last 2 numeric check digits. The change affects XML schemas, CNPJ fields, access keys, validations, barcode standards, DF-e distribution, cancellation, and related web services. Homologation began on June 15, 2026, and production starts on July 1, 2026. ERP, NF-e/NFC-e, middleware, and tax systems must be updated to handle the new format.

The purpose of the change is to expand Brazil’s capacity to issue new CNPJ registrations, as the current numeric model is approaching exhaustion. Existing CNPJs will remain valid and unchanged; the new format will apply only to new registrations.

The new CNPJ will keep the current 14-character length, but the first 12 positions may contain letters and numbers, while the last 2 positions remain numeric check digits. The validation pattern changes from [0-9]{14} to [A-Z0-9]{12}[0-9]{2}.

The update affects several parts of the NF-e/NFC-e environment, including the layout for models 55 and 65, authorization return, event reception, protocol consultation, registration consultation, DF-e distribution, cancellation, EPEC, and interested-party events. Version 1.01, published on June 8, 2026, also adjusts the NF-e numbering cancellation service — NFeInutilizacao to accept alphanumeric CNPJs.

The change impacts CNPJ fields for issuers, recipients, transport, payments, intermediaries, technical managers, referenced tax documents, and XML access authorization. It also affects DF-e access keys, check digit calculation, schemas, validations, and barcode standards. Since the access key may become alphanumeric, barcode generation must move from CODE-128C to CODE-128A.

The implementation schedule for Technical Note 2026.004 v1.01 is June 15, 2026, for homologation and July 1, 2026, for production. The schema package was republished on June 26, 2026 as an exclusive package for the alphanumeric CNPJ update.

Companies, ERP providers, NF-e/NFC-e issuers, middleware systems, and tax software developers must update databases, XML schemas, validation rules, access key logic, barcode generation, integrations, and cancellation routines to support the new format.