DHL BRAZIL FACT SHEET
Country Facts
Currency Brazilian real
GDP $2.394 trillion (2012 est.)
Area 8,514,877 sq km
Population 201 million
Capital City Brasilia
Ethnic Groups White 53.7%, Mulatto (mixed white and
black) 38.5%, Black 6.2%, Other (includes
Japanese, Arab, Amerindian) 0.9%,
Unspecified 0.7% (2000 census)
Languages Portuguese (official and most widely
spoken language)
Source: CIA World Factbook
OVERVIEW
As the world’s h largest country and sixth largest economy
with GDP per head that’s greater than its BRIC counterparts,
India and China, Brazil is simply too big a market to ignore.
Its membership as a BRIC nation along with Brazil, Russia,
India and China, and its inclusion in UKTI’s list of high-
growth markets highlights its growing economic status and
potential for further growth, which should be of interest to
every British exporter and importer.
With a growing middle class increasingly demanding
high quality products, and a government that is working
to increase privatisation and deregulation, opportunities
abound for British businesses in Brazil. And as the country
takes centre stage for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Summer
Olympics, the construction sector in particular is booming.
UKTI work closely with the British Embassy in Brazil and
its consulates to support British businesses in Brazil and the
government aims to double trade with the country by 2015.
Sources: GOV.UK, UKTI, CIA World Factbook
BRAZIL
COLOMBIA
VENEZUELA
ECUADOR
MEXICO
PANAMA
COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
HONDURAS
GUATEMALA
BELIZE
EL SALVADOR
PERU
BOLIVIA
ARGENTINA
CHILE
URUGUAY
PARAGUAY
GUYANA
SURINAME
FRENCH
GUIANA
Brasilia
Recife
Rio de Janeiro
Sao Paulo
Porto Alegre
Vitoria
Viracopos
DHL Gateway
Major City
KEY
Capital City
Gateways into the country: 3
Number of Service Centres: 23
Locations: 111
DHL Delivery Zone: 10
Fleet: 440 vehicles
DHL FACTS
DHL Brazil Fact Sheet 2
Sao Paulo Non-Dutiable: 2 days Dutiable: 2 days
Rio de Janeiro Non-Dutiable: 2 days Dutiable: 2 days
Brasilia Non-Dutiable: 2 days Dutiable: 2 days
Vitoria Non-Dutiable: 2 days Dutiable: 2 days
Porto Alegre Non-Dutiable: 2 days Dutiable: 2 days
Recife Non-Dutiable: 5 days Dutiable: 6 days
UK to Brazil Transit Times
The times provided for dutiable shipments are based on the
time expected for customs in Brazil to clear the shipment –
this is dependent on the value of the shipment.
TRADE INFORMATION
Source: DHL, CIA World Factbook
PROHIBITED ITEMS
The list below is in addition
to DHL’s standard list of
prohibited items.
• Animals, fish, birds, (live)
• Antiques
• Asbestos
• Dangerous goods,
hazardous or
combustible materials
• Firearms, and parts of
• Gambling devices
• Ivory
• Pornography
• Precious metals and
stones
• Milk and milk products
made in China
Documentation Required
• Waybill (must have the importer’s CNPJ/TAX ID)
• Commercial invoice
Customs Process
• It is not necessary to hire a customs broker
• Shipments are cleared on the same day of its arrival
Taxes and Fees
• Import duty: 60% of the shipment’s value
• ICMS tax: (a state value-added tax on services and
circulation of goods) average of 18%
ESSENTIAL CUSTOMS INFORMATION
Customs requirements for Brazil can seem complex, but it’s
just a matter of knowing what’s expected of you and avoiding
the common pitfalls.
DHL can assist you with getting everything right. You can
speak to your Account Manager or contact Customer Services
on 0844 248 0844 for advice.
DHL electronically transfers essential customs documentation
during transit, obtaining customs approval for many
shipments prior to their arrival in Brazil. It means that
potential problems can oen be highlighted and corrected
during transit, speeding up the whole process.
e Commercial Invoice must be declared in US Dollars, and
both the air waybill and invoice must be typed in English.
Shipment Types
ere are two types of shipments recognised by Brazilian
authorities: Informal and Formal. All commercial shipments
(for sale) regardless of value must be imported as Formal
shipments.
Informal Entry Clearance
What Can Be Imported Via Informal Entry
1,2
Import clearance for shipments with a CIP/CIF value up to
US $2,999 – not for resale
• Books, periodicals, etc.
• Samples
• Finished goods not for resale
1
Will be dutiable.
2
In case of a legal entity, foreign exchange closing is allowed to pay the exporter.
Imports into Brazil
US$223.2 billion
(2012 est.)
Import commodities:
Machinery, electrical and
transport equipment,
chemical products,
oil, automotive parts,
electronics
Top Import Origins:
US, China, Germany,
Italy, Mexico, Hong Kong
Exports from Brazil
US$242.6 billion
(2012 est.)
Export commodities:
Transport equipment,
iron ore, soybeans,
footwear, coee, autos
Top Export Destinations:
US, China, Germany,
Argentina, Italy, Mexico
DHL Brazil Fact Sheet 3
Valid from: 06/2014
Formal Entry Clearance
Brazilian law requires a Customs broker to assist with formal
customs clearance. DHL can provide this service for you.
All shipments sent to Brazil for clearance under Formal Entry
must have the original documentation (Invoice and Packing
List) securely attached. Four original sets of blue-ink-signed
Commercial Invoices and 2 copies of the Packing List are
required by the Brazilian Customs Authority. A Pro-forma
Invoice will not be accepted.
What Can Be Imported Via Formal Entry?
• Materials for resale or with foreign exchange cover,
regardless of declared value
• Items with declared CIP/CIF value over US $2,999.01
• Donations (only for organizations registered with the
government)
• Materials that require an import license, such as alcoholic
beverages and tobacco
• Unaccompanied luggage
e complete list is on Siscomex in the Mercosur Common
Nomenclature (NCM).
Documentation Required
3
• Waybill must have the consignee’s CNPJ/CPF TAX ID
• Valid CNPJ/CPF TAX ID: must be registered by Federal
Customs Service
• Commercial invoice and packing list: original copy signed in
blue ink
• Prior import license: should be approved before sending the
shipment (for specific products). This license is only necessary
if required by the NCM
• The Brazilian International Trade Secretariat (SECEX) will
confirm which products require a prior import license (Guia
de Importa). DHL can also assist with this, please contact
your Account Manager.
• Valid CPF/CNPJ TAX ID: the document must be duly
registered by Federal Customs Service
• The commercial invoice should also include the terms of sale
(Incoterms®) and country of origin
• Brazillian customs also require the receiver of the goods in
Brazil to be registered with Customs (RADAR)
Duties and Taxes
• Import duty: based on the goods’ tax classification (NCM)
• ICMS: average of 18%
• IPI (manufactured products): based on the goods’ tax
classification (NCM)
• COFINS: 7.65% of the declared value
• PIS: 1.65% of the declared value
3
Fines may be applied by the Federal Customs Service for noncompliant
Terms Explained
Brazil operates a version of the Harmonized System (HS)
commodity codes, the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM).
The appropriate NCM term can be determined at
http://www.brasilglobalnet.gov.br/ClassificacaoNCM/
Pesquisa/frmPesqNCMFull.aspx?tipoPesquisa=1.
Accurate and precise descriptions must be provided
CPF: Cadastro de Pessoa Fisica (CPF) – (Private individuals)
CNPJ: Cadastro Nacional Pessoa Juridica (CNPJ) – (Businesses)
CIP/CIF: cost of goods + international freight + international
insurance.
NCM: Mercosur Common Nomenclature
For more information
If you need support with your export documentation or advice
on trade to/from Brazil, help is available.
Contact your local Chambers of Commerce office
www.britishchambers.org.uk
Your local UKTI is available to support with all aspects of
international trade www.ukti.gov.uk
DHL Customer Services is also available on 0844 248 0844
Visit www.dhlguide.co.uk for international trade information
and to read our blog
Follow us on Twitter @dhlexpressuk to keep up to date with
all the latest developments in international trade