Refuse derived fuel (RDF) has limited application in energy production due to low density, heterogeneity and high chlorine content. Carbonization has been proposed as a pre-treatment to obtain a more homogeneous fuel with higher density and heating value than raw RDF and with lower particle size and chlorine content. In order to achieve these goals, dry carbonization must be performed at temperatures typically above 400 ºC, that cause extensive carbon devolatilization, thus reducing biochar yield and requiring a significant energy input. In this work, oxidative carbonization of RDF pellets was evaluated as an alternative carbonization technique, using macro-thermogravimetry (macro-TGA), at the temperatures of 250, 300, 350, 400 ℃ and equivalence ratios of 0.5 and 1.0. The original pellets and the produced chars were characterized by elemental and mineral composition and ash content. Among the less favorable fuel properties of the RDF pellets, one highlights their ash content (10.4%) and fixed carbon content (6.0%). The low calorific value of the obtained chars was determined using an empirical equation based on elemental composition. The results obtained indicate that it is possible to obtain carbon rich-chars at temperatures lower than 400 ºC with mass yields higher than 50%. Temperature was the parameter that showed the highest influence on the carbonization process. The influence of the equivalence ratio was insignificant. The use of oxidative conditions enables operation at lower temperatures, reducing the energy consumption of the carbonization process.