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Import/Export

United States to Brazil

Country or Territory Regulations Topics:

Commodity Specific Stipulations

There are special stipulations on the following commodities when shipping to Brazil. If you plan to ship one of the commodities listed below, be sure to adhere to the following stipulations in order to avoid delays and holds at customs.

Brazil Customs accepts skins of non-domesticated animals by formal entry, regardless of the value. The consignee must provide an import license and IBAMA authorization. (IBAMA is the environmental protection agency of Brazil.)
Books that are not for resale are free of duty or taxes. The invoice and waybill must state that the shipment is "not for resale" or that it has "no commercial value-value for Customs purposes." Books must be described on the waybill and invoice as "books" only.

Books importing for resale are prohibited via express or courier modes, unless imported as a formal entry.

The New Health Ministry Department has changed all of Brazils import clearance procedures. All shipments detained by the ministry have to follow the following procedures:
  • Register at ANVISA site (www.anvisa.gov.br)
  • after the registration is done, the company will have to issue a payment ticket referring to the payment of the inspection charge.
  • When this charge is paid the company must send the original voucher and only with that document we will be able to initiate the clearance process of the shipment.
    • Importing used laptop computers is prohibited by courier mode. UPS recommends the formal import method for used laptops only if the consignee can prove that it is a personal computer, and was bought by himself when outside of Brazil. If consignee proves the used laptop is for personal use and the description on the commercial invoice states "unaccompanied baggage", then duties and taxes will not apply. Customs can request an import license for used material. UPS recommends that the consignee obtain the import license before the shipment of used material arrives. Brokerage fees of US$100.00 and additional warehouse fees will apply based on the type of material. UPS cannot provide an import license. If the consignee cannot provide an import license, they must assign an alternate broker.
    All shipments detained by the ministry have to follow the following procedures:

  • Register at the ANVISA site (www.anvisa.gov.br)
  • After registering, the company will have to issue a payment ticket referring to the payment of the inspection charge
  • When the charge is paid, the company must send the original voucher and Brazil will be able to initiate the clearance process of the shipment
  • The consignee has 30 days to process the paperwork in case package gets held. Otherwise, packages will be returned to the shipper as freight collect (the return freight will be charged to the shipper).

    Victoria Secret Shipments: All Victoria Secret packages will be inspected by the FDA. Each consignee must receive no more than 2 pieces in the box, otherwise, the package will be automatically returned. The Victoria Secret products must have an expiration date, if not; it can be seized by the FDA.

    • Prescriptions for personal use require an invoice and a prescription.

    An Import License is required for commercial shipments of medicine. The Prescription has to accompany the package. However, it is not required to be on the outside of the package. It is acceptable to be included inside the package.

    The classification of food includes any edible products.

    The New Health Ministry Department has changed all of Brazils import clearence procedures. All shipments detained by the ministry have to follow the following procedures:

  • Register at ANVISA site (www.anvisa.gov.br)
  • After the registration is done, the company will have to issue a payment ticket referring to the payment of the inspection charge.
  • When this charge is paid the company must send the original voucher and only with that document we will be able to iniciate the clearence process of the shipment.
  • The consignee has 30 days to process the paperwork in case package gets held. Otherwise, packages will be returned to the shipper as freight collect (the return freight will be charged to the shipper).

    Non-industrialized foods, such as homemade foods, raw meat, and fish that are not made in the country or territory of origin, are required to have a certificate from the Food and Drug Agency.

    • Jewelry: Up to (US$) 13,500 per conveyance may be transported via Small Package without further restrictions. From US$13,500 to US$270,000 per conveyance requires a dedicated ground delivery with an armed escort. Additional costs apply. Please contact DILP as well as UPS Capital for further details.
    Labels and stickers that include company logos, trademarks, and service marks require a proof of authorization or a license to use such registered brand names. This classification refers to loose labels, not merchandise with labeling on it.

    For example, you would not need proof of authorization for golf shirts containing the UPS logo.

    However, if only the UPS logo patches were shipped, then proof of authorization would be needed.

    Shipments of industrialized leather require an invoice with the animal description. Industrialized leather is any commodity that is made from a chemically treated leather (including tennis shoes). The invoice must state what animal the leather came from.

    Shipments of natural leather require a Certificate of Origin and the animal description on the invoice. Natural leather is a commodity that has not been chemically treated.

    As per new Brazilian customs regulations medicines are free of charge for private individual , but to get this immunity of duties and taxes exist some requirements: 1- The invoice need a correct description as MEDICINES (specific no generic) and need the tax id of the private person. 2- The consignee in Brazil will need to provide to Brazilian FDA a medical prescription from Brazilian doctor. If not provided one of this requirements, the shipment will be taxed by customs. For medicine, pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products consigned to a company, the consignee must have a register with the Healthy Ministry in Brasilia to import the product. The consignee needs an authorization because it is an obligatory document to companies only that import medicine, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic products.

    The New Health Ministry Department has changed all of Brazils import clearence procedures. All shipments detained by the ministry have to follow the following procedures:

  • Register at ANVISA site (www.anvisa.gov.br)
  • After the registration is done, the company will have to issue a payment ticket referring to the payment of the inspection charge.
  • When this charge is paid the company must send the original voucher and only with that document we will be able to initiate the clearence process of the shipment.
  • The consignee has 30 days to process the paperwork in case package gets held. Otherwise, packages will be returned to the shipper as freight collect (the return freight will be charged to the shipper).
    • Customers must use an authorized UPS / MBE (Mail Boxes Etc) Store, UPS Customer Center or ISC Approved Shipper to ship personal effects.

    The UPS Store, Mail Boxes Etc, UPS Customer Center or ISC approved shipper will be required to identify personal effect shipments on the shipping label by placing "Personal Effects" in the Reference Field of a UPS "smart" label or in the Special Instructions Field of a UPS waybill. They must also clearly indicate 'Personal Effects' shipment on the Commercial Invoice.

    Personal Effects are classified as used items (owned for a minimum of 6 months) intended for the consignee's personal use. Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis. "Personal Effects" must be clearly stated on the invoice and goods description.

    All of the following documents must be scanned into DIS/SIR and originals on the package:

    An inventory list with estimated values with the reason for importation (holidays, move, relocation) A confirmation that the goods are older than 6 months and that they are intended for personal use only A photocopy of passport or ID card Any items intended for any other use, such as wholesale or retail sales, business purposes, or for distribution are not considered personal effects and cannot be shipped on this basis.

    Excisable goods (for example, perfume, alcoholic drinks, tobacco), medicine and perishable food can not be cleared as personal effects.

    Personal effects shipments are not allowed in combination with Return Services.

    The New Health Ministry Department has changed all of Brazils import clearence procedures. All shipments detained by the ministry have to follow the following procedures:
  • Register at ANVISA site (www.anvisa.gov.br)
  • After the registration is done, the company will have to issue a payment ticket referring to the payment of the inspection charge.
  • When this charge is paid the company must send the original voucher and only with that document we will be able to initiate the clearence process of the shipment.
  • The consignee has 30 days to process the paperwork in case package gets held. Otherwise, packages will be returned to the shipper as freight collect (the return freight will be charged to the shipper).
    • For customs purposes, the declared value of software shipments (for example, on diskettes or CD-ROMs) should be the full value of the software. Duties and taxes are calculated on the physical value, not on the intellectual property value.

    Important: The AWB must have the declared value for customs purpose only, according to the physical value. The commercial invoice must have both values (intellectual and physical), but the total of commercial invoice must have only the physical value.

    Prohibited or Restricted Commodities

    In addition to the commodities which UPS prohibits to all countries or territories served (listed here), it is prohibited to ship the following commodities to Brazil.

    Shipments of alcoholic beverages can not be sent in as Express (courier) regardless of value or amount. They must be shipped as freight and require formal entry in addition to the required permits.
    Electronic Cigarettes are prohibited
    Brazilian Customs accepts furs by Formal Entry, regardless of the value. The consignee will have to provide an Import License and IBAMA authorization (environmental protection agency of Brazil).
    Microorganisms and Vaccine like Coliforms, Total Aerobic Count, Staphylococcus Aureus, Yeast, Bacillus Cereus, Salmonella and Listeria are prohibited as a courier. This type of merchandise will be seized by the FDA.
    Paintball guns are submitted to an import license through the Armys Outpost. This includes pressure guns that use springs or compressed gas as a propeller for projectile launching.

    Procedure: The express shipments products must be released as "Armys Post Approval" and the importer must proceed as a regular importing regent via DSI/DI, primarily requesting the appropriated Importing License (or LSI) for ME (Army Minister) approval. In this case, customers must be informed to request the previous approval (that means it cannot be released on the same day, depends on the approval being conceded by the system).

    Perishable parcel is prohibited as a courier. Shipments arriving with instructions to be refrigerated are not accepted and will be seized by the FDA.
    Products made in Iran are prohibited in our service due to a current embargo.
    Unaccompanied baggage is allowed only if the contents are for personal use. For example, personal items such as clothes and shoes are allowed. However, unaccompanied baggage is not allowed if the contents contain non-personal items such as electronics or used material.

    Unaccompanied baggage must be sent from individual to individual.

    Duties and taxes are not applicable if imported as formal entry to be released by consignee with broker,only warehouse fees. Brazil Customs will hold the baggage for formal clearance; the consignee must prove that he/she traveled abroad in the last 6 months. A passport, flight ticket, and other personal documentation constitute proof at the airport of arrival.

    If sent sent by courier mode, consignee must pay duties and taxes to Brazilian Customs.

    Used materials are prohibited as a courier or formal entry. Shipments with a large quantity of the same item may give customs the impression they could be used for commercial purposes. Therefore, these shipments will be seized.
    Imports of new watches into Brazil must have a label and a proper import license. UPS cannot provide an import license. If the consignee does not have an import license, they must assign an alternate broker.

    NOTE: Information provided by UPS is provided AS IS, may not be current, and does not constitute legal advice. In no event shall UPS be liable for any errors in the information, forms or features made available by UPS, or by any third party site linked to from UPS. Selection and completion of proper forms for any given shipment is the sole responsibility of the shipper. All shipments are subject to the UPS Terms and Conditions of Service in effect at the time of shipping for the country or territory of origin.
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