Customs Information

*NOTE:  ALL REGULATIONS MAY VARY ACCORDING TO THE CUSTOMER'S NATIONALITY/ OR IMMIGRATION STATUS

IMPORTANT NOTICE CONCERNING WOODEN CONTAINERS:

In an attempt to protect Brazilian crops/fauna/flora from what is known in the USA as the Chinese Bug (Anoplophora Glabripennis) the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has imposed severe restrictions that are effective immediately on the entry of pallets/wooden airvans/liftvans/crates etc.

• It is now mandatory to mention each and every single package type separately (including the packaging material modifier such as plastic, wood, cardboard, etc.) and the respective weight for each package. Non-compliance with this regulation will result in the requirement of letters of correction which may be fined by Brazilian Customs up to $2900.00 per package amendment.
• Wooden units must have a fumigation certificate issued by the applicable official government agency in the origin country. Note: the ISPM15 stamp on the liftvan will suffice for a fumigation certificate.
• Wood must be certified it has been treated with heat, fumigation or other type of previously agreed upon chemical product
• Fumigation should be completed not more than 15 days prior to shipment. Items which may adversely be affected by the fumigation chemicals, should be tightly wrapped and sealed in plastic prior to the shipping. 
• If wooden crates/units/pieces arrive in Brazil without the certificate the goods will either be incinerated at the importers expense or be treated if possible in Brazil
• Recommendation is to completely refrain from using wood for packing purposes in all shipments to Brazil, advise to:
  • Loosepack all items in metal containers for surface shipments
  • Use tri-wall air containers for air shipments
  • Use mirror cartons rather than crates for paintings, glass or mirrors
• In the event it becomes necessary to ship liftvans or crate fragile items the certificate must accompany the cargo
• For security reasons, it is not recommended sending personal electronic devices such as photo cameras, notebooks, I-pads/tablets, I-pods and smart phones in a sea shipment. 

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED

• Original Bill of Lading (OBL) / Air Waybill (AWB)
• Notarized copies of Passport (including all the blank pages) (2 copies)
• Temporary Work Visa / Permanent Visa (must be valid for more than 180 days and be stamped on the passport)
• Notarized copies of Brazilian Tax Card / Cadastro de Pessoas Fisicas (CPF Number) (2 copies)
• Notarized detailed inventories in Portuguese (1 inventory for new and 1 for used items)
• Copy of Registration Certificate. 
• Notarized copies of airline ticket (2 copies)
• ISPM-15 Fumigation Certificate, if applicable
• Notarized Employment Contract (non-Diplomats)
• Declaration of Residence Abroad (non-Diplomats, returning citizens)
• Copies of Registro Nacional de Estrangeiros (RNE) (2 copies) (non-Diplomats)
• Baggage Declaration (non-Diplomats, returning citizens)
• Guarantee Bond (non-Diplomats)
• Notarized copies of Declaração Simplificada de Importação (DSI) / Diplomatic Franchise (3 copies) (Diplomats)
• Authenticated copy of Ministério das Relações Exteriores (MRE) identification (Diplomats)
• Copies of supplemental form (3 copies) (Diplomats)
• Certificate of Residence (returning citizens) / Utility bill receipts for the preceding 13 months
• Proof of residence abroad (minimum of 1 year required) (returning citizens)
• Paranagua Region: Power of Attorney ECAC via online registration by shipper on Brazilian Customs system. There will be original documents required for this process, please contact destination for assistance. 

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS

• The client must be in Brazil ahead of the customs clearance process. The client should be able to proof his arrival in the country (plane tickets to Brazil or passport). 
• When a shipment arrivers to Brazil, customs clearance process cannot be started if pre-registration (credenciamento) of customer at customs is not completed. 
• The shipment should only be sent when all documents are complete and received by the destination agent, inclusive of the CPF number. Confirm receipt of documents with the agent and wait for their “green light”.
• The address registered in the CPF must be the same as the final destination of the shipment (returning citizens).
• Diplomats must be in Brazil prior to shipment arrival to apply for the required Brazilian documents and may import duty free.
• Diplomats may import household appliances if in the possession the shipper for 6 months and appropriate to the rest of the shipment.
• A CPF number is mandatory for all shipments.
• The Visa must be valid for more than 180 days. 
  • Goods must arrive to Brazil within 180 days following the entry of the owner into the country using the issued Visa. 
• Goods can only be imported after the Visa is authorized by the Brazilian authorities and the Residence Permit / Visa is stamped in the Passport by the Brazilian Federal Police; the Shipment will be Customs cleared under a bond, signed by the shipper (non-Diplomats).
• The OBL must be rated showing the freight cost and Harmonized Code for household goods; it should be consigned to the shipper, not the agent or moving company.
• The DSI / Diplomatic Franchise are provided by the Ministério das Relações Exteriores (MRE).
• It takes approximately 15 days to obtain the Diplomatic Franchise (Diplomats).
• Foreigners with a Temporary Visa must sign a Guarantee covering the amount of duties based on 50% of the declared value.
• Used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty free if for personal use and declared and new items are identified on the Packing List.
  • New items are allowed by our customs, since it is not in excess compared to the total volume of the move. It’s also important to bring the purchase invoices for such items with you in case Brazil  customs requires
• Electrical / electronic items must be declared showing brand name, model, and serial number.
• Do not mark the boxes with different label colors or names, since it may lead the Brazilian customs to understand that the items marked differently do not belong to shipper.
• Gifts are allowed, but the items in subject cannot present any invoices or documentation in name of other person than the shipper.
• Repetitive items are allowed as long as it is coherent to the shipper’ situation (number of family members, salary, etc.). It is very important that the repetitive items don’t lead the Brazilian customs to understand it as commercial items. The household goods concept includes personal effects only.
• The packing list of items must indicate the values of each item in R$ showing quantity per unit with the total value and the brand, model, and serial number of each item must be included. It must be signed and registered at a Brazilian Register Office.
• Customs clearance can only begin after the arrival of the shipper in Brazil and should begin within 90 days of the shipper’s arrival; otherwise Customs may seize the shipment.
• Shipments must arrive in Brazil within 180 days after arrival of shipper.
• Shipments under a Tourist / Business Visa cannot be cleared.
• Wooden packing material must be fumigated and a fumigation certificate must be sent to the agent with the OBL prior to shipment.
• Food, beverages or medicines should not be included in the shipment.
• Items imported will have to be exported when the shipper leaves Brazil (non-Diplomats).
• Returning citizens or those who possess a permanent Visa must have lived abroad for at least 365 continuous days prior to relocation to Brazil.
  • During this time, citizens or visa holders cannot have been in Brazil for the past 12 months, for more than a period of 45 days.
  • If the stay exceeds 45 days all items included in the move will be subject to the payment of import duties, excluding the following items that are exempt, regardless of the above rule:
    • Clothes
    • Shoes
    • Books
    • Magazines
    • Documents
    • All items that have been “officially” exported from Brazil in the move.
  • If a returning Brazilian citizen who has lived abroad (and proved residence abroad for over 1 year) breaks this rule – exceeding 45 days in total in Brazil the year before his/her actual return to the country with the move – he/she will lose their tax exemption.
• Returning citizens must prove time spent abroad, such as:
  • A letter issued by the Brazilian Consulate at origin stating that the shipper lived abroad for more than 1 year.
  • A letter of employment on company letterhead stating that the shipper worked for the company for more than 1 year.
• Returning Brazilians and Permanent Visa holders may import unaccompanied baggage duty-free if the items are properly identified.
  • All new items must be identified in the packing list.
  • If not declared and if they are located during the physical customs inspection of the cargo, shall be subject to the payment of import duties and a fine.
• Lift vans, air vans, wooden crates, and boxes arriving in containers or single shipments must be fumigated per ISPM 15 rules and visibly marked on at least two opposite sides of the container in permanent black ink.
• Certain wood packing materials are exempt from regulation; contact agent for specific information.

MOTOR VEHICLES

• Only foreign Diplomats or members of international organizations such as UNO, UNESCO, IMF, etc. may import motor vehicles for personal use.
• If a vehicle is shipped in the same container as household goods, 2 separate OBLs must be produced. If separate OBLs are not submitted, it will not be possible to clear the shipment and may result in charges of up to 3,000 USD.
• The importation of motor vehicles is prohibited for citizens and foreigners holding Permanent and Temporary Visas.
• Foreign diplomats or members of international organizations such as UNO, UNESCO, IMF, etc. may import motor vehicles.

PETS

• Only cats and/or dogs may be imported and will be examined by a veterinarian upon arrival.
• Cats and dogs require a Health and Vaccination Certificate from the point of origin and are subject to veterinarian examination at the port of entry
• Shippers importing animals other than cats and/or dogs must obtain special authorization by the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture prior to departure from the origin country.
• Other animals are subject to consultation with the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture prior to departure from the country of origin and are also subject to inspection

DUTIABLE/RESTRICTED ITEMS

• Foodstuffs (subject to import duties of approximately 50% of declared value)
• Cosmetics (subject to import duties of approximately 50% of declared value)
• Medications (require a doctor’s prescription)
• Cigarettes (400), cigars (25), pipe tobacco (250 g)
• Beverages, wine, and liquor (are subject of import duties of approximately 50% of declared value and require authorization from the Health and Agriculture Ministry)
• Foreign Diplomats may import alcohol duty free.
• Persons may enter with no more than a maximum of two liters of alcohol.
• Only small caliber firearms and hunting rifles for personal use are permitted.
• New Items (never used) electronic or not: Must be declared as “new” and the purchase invoice for such items must be presented to Brazilian customs. It is not recommended to bring to Brazil more than 01 identical new item (same brand and model) because the customs might consider resale purpose. In case the requirements above are not followed, the new items will be subjected to 50% duties + approx. 17% taxes. If these items were declared as used and during the inspection are found and consider new, shipper will pay 50% of duties plus 50 % fine plus approx. 17% taxes.
• Repetitive items: The customs will confiscate items that are considered for resale therefore it is strongly recommended that identical items or items with the same function should be avoided. The recommendation may vary according to the number of family members and type of item, so please consult your move coordinator in case of doubts.
• Electronic Items: It is necessary to take note on the brand, model and serial number of each electronic item because it must be informed to Brazilian customs.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Live plants, plants, sand, vegetal origin products. 
• Tins & Food
• Handguns & ammunition (subject to dangerous goods)
• Toys, replicas and imitations of firearms that may be confused with these, unless it is to integrate collection of authorized users. (Brazilian Army Command)
• Swords & Machete
• Counterfeit products
• Vessels of all kinds (Boats, inflatable boats, kayaks, paddleboats, jet skis and similar, and boat engines. 
• Riding lawn tractors, lawn mowers and gas trimmers. 
• Model Airplanes (drones). 
• Flammable or corrosive materials
• Compressed gases, gas cylinder or combustible liquids. 
• Gas grills or propane tanks. 
• Building Materials
• Drugs and narcotics; medicines (unless there is a doctor's prescription) 
• Jewelry, currency, or valuable articles. 
• Coins of high value
• Stamp collections
• Engines and vehicles, or parts of them (unless diplomatic shipments)
• Electrical scooter, electrical bicycle, electrical monocycle, electrical skate (hoverboard) and similar - with or without battery. 
• Wines and alcoholic beverages (12 liters max 06 or 16 bottles of 750ml)
• Tires - if used, the passenger will be prosecuted criminally, and all lawsuit and destructions costs will be for passengers account. If new, the tire will be apprehended. 
• Food items