Frequent Asked Questions
What do you want to know?
We will answer here.
Can I import as a private individual?
Yes, you can. You can import goods as accompanied luggage limited to 500 usd. Accompanied luggage follows all the ordinary import procedures. If you import using Correios, you are allowed to import up to US$ 50,00 and not for commercial purposes.
What is a DI – Import Declaration?
Import Declaration – DI – Comprehends all the information regarding a specific import process and specific information about each imported product. DI will be made by the importer or its representative by inserting the data concerning the import process in the Brazilian Customs system.
Which document is needed to get Import License (LI)?
Commercial Invoice, since it specifies all the information supplied by the shipper, such as: quantity, unit and total amount, port of origin and destination, currency and incoterms.
How is the cargo cleared at customs?
Cargo clearance starts at the moment DI is registered at Brazilian Customs system. Then, the documents (Bill of Lading, commercial invoice, taxes bills, certificates, etc…) are presented to customs so it makes the documents and checking and finally authorizes the cargo delivery.
What is tax classification?
It is the procedure to identify and determine taxes for products. Goods are classified by a nomenclature used by the official departments and made of a group of numbers based on a world system following standarts created by United Nations, the Harmonized System (HS), among them: NCM – Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul (Mercosul Commom Nomenclature), NBM – Nomenclatura Brasileira de Mercadorias (Brazilian Goods Nomenclature), NALADI – Nomenclatura da Associação Latino-Americana de Integração (Integration Latin American Association Nomenclature).
Which documents are compulsory for the importer to clear the cargo at Brazilian Customs?
- Bill of Lading
- Import Declaration
- Commercial Invoice
- Certificates
- Taxes Bills
- Packing List
Can I purchase as private individual in other country?
No, you can not. Negotiation can be done in other country, but the legal, fiscal and administrative procedures must be done in Brazil.
What do I get by exporting?
There are many benefits by exporting. Among them: the increase of productivity and competitivity; interchange of technology and expertise; improve of quality for the international market; contribution to the trade balance superplus.
Who can export?
All the companies registered at Brazilian Customs system called (Radar) are able to operate at the international market. However, this is not enough. The company needs to properly plan to export. Registering at “Radar” is only the first step to export products and services.
As a business person, what should I know before deciding to export?
a) Exporting products is available to any kind of company, of any size or sector. Some aspects before deciding to export must be analysed. The most important are:
b) Interaction between the different sectors of the company (administrative, commercial, accountable, among others) since export is an integrated activity and demands constant information exchange;
c) Medium and long term strategy since this activity can not be considered a “life savior” in moments of local market insecurity;
d) The foreign markets opportunities and variations follow up through access to information (specialized publications, field research, Internet and spreading of information) and;
e) The wish to accept “initial risks” at export since the international market is extremely competitive and demands a high level of professionalization – the company’s “export tradition” is developed gradually and comes from the business person to keep on the foreign trade market.