MOVING TO BRAZIL

Before starting out the Brazil moving process, there are many challenges and pitfalls to make note of. As an expert and professional international relocation company, GMS are on hand to provide up-to-date and detailed advice for your moving process. The below points about your household shipment should be followed exactly to ensure a smooth entry to Brazil.

• A CPF number is mandatory for all shipments.
• Your household shipment should only be sent when all documents are complete and received by the destination agent, including 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 of the shipper for 6 months and appropriate to the rest of the shipment.
• Goods can only be imported after the Brazilian authorities authorise your Visa 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 Harmonised 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 (applicable only to diplomatic relocations/diplomats moving).
• Foreigners with a Temporary Visa must sign a Guarantee covering the amount of duties based on 50% of the declared value.
• New and used household goods and personal effects may be imported duty-free if for personal use and declared and new items are identified on the Removal packing list.
• Electrical / electronic items must be declared showing brand name, model, and serial number.
• The removal 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 the arrival of the 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 removal 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 the agent for specific information.