Only returning Brazilians or customers with a permanent visa that have lived abroad (working or studying) for more that one-year may import household goods and personal effects duty free.

New items for personal/owner use may be included in the moves being shipped to Brazil duty free.  The customs prescription that goods not used or not in the owner´s possession for at least 6 months were subject to taxes is no longer in effect.  This does not apply to consumer items such as foodstuff, diapers, etc., or any item intended to be imported for commercial purposes.

Air and sea shipments to Brazil not fumigated prior to shipment, may be fumigated in Brazil. This process will cost about US$200.00 and may cause about 1-3 day delay in completing the clearance process. Any items which may be adversely affected by fumigation chemicals, including foodstuffs, condiments, etc. should be tightly wrapped and sealed in plastic prior to shipping. Clothing, furniture, etc. may abort some odors, but these odors will quickly disappear.

Household goods and personal effects shipments must arrive in Brazil up to 90 days before or after 120 days of the arrival of the customer. Besides the shipment must be originated in the city of his last residence or from the country listed in his visa (for example: United Kingdom). A foreigner with a temporary visa must sign a re-exportation guarantee for his belongings.

Works of art and antiques may be imported, as long as are not shipped for commercial purposes.

Please take into consideration that all signatures and documents must be legalized by a Public Notary in Brazil.

Also, the customer must be in Brazil before the shipment arrives, in order to deliver all the necessary documents for the Customs clearance.

Required Documents

• Diplomatic Shipments

a)  Passport.

b)  Original of the bill of lading or airway bill.

c)  Notarized power of attorney authorizing the Brazilian Agent to represent the customer in the clearance (agent will furnish this form after arrival of the customer in Brazil).

d)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian tax card (CIC).

e)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian identification card.

f)  Legalized copy of the airplane ticket, showing the entry in Brazil.

g)  Document of the franchise with the Brazilian government.

• Non Citizen Shipments

With Permanent Visa:

a)  Passport and visa (must be obtained before arrival in Brazil).

b)  Original and 2 copies of the inventory list, signed by the customer. This list must be translated in Portuguese by a registered translator, detailed and with values in US Dollars.

c)  Original of the bill of lading or airway bill.

d)  Notarized power of attorney authorizing the Brazilian agent to represent the customer in the clearance (agent will furnish this form after arrival of the customer in Brazil).

e)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian identification card.

f)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian tax card (CIC).

g)  Notarized copy of the airplane ticket, showing the entry in Brazil.

h)  Customers with visa must register at the Federal Police Department in Brazil, before the shipment is delivered.

With Temporary Visa:

a)  Visa must be valid for more than 180 days.

b)  Passport and visa.

c)  Bank or bonds guarantee for the payment of taxes or duties (issued by the employer).

d)  Notarized copy of the local application of employment.

e)  Original Employment Contract between the customer and his company certified by the Ministry of Labor.

f)  Notarized copy of the Employment Contract and notarized copy of the Power of the customer’s company, or notarized copy of the financial statements of the company, including a summary of the election of the acting directors.

g)  Notarized copy of the number of registry of the company.

h)  Statement of responsibility from the local employer, certifying that they will assume the payment of all duties and taxes of your household and personal effects that are not shipped out again at the time of your departure from Brazil.

i)  Profit and Loss statement of the last two years of the local employer in Brazil.

• Returning Citizens

a)  Must have been more than one year residing abroad due to studies or professional activities.

b)  Passport.

c)  Bill of lading or airway bill.

d)  One original and 2 copies of the inventory list, signed by the customer. This inventory must be translated into Portuguese by a registered translator, detailed and with values in US Dollars. All pets must be in the list. All electrical, electronic, mechanic or optical appliances or devices must detail make, serial number, model and date of manufacture.

e)  Notarized power of attorney authorizing the agent in Brazil to represent the customer in the Customs clearance (our agent will furnish this form upon arrival of the customer in Brazil).

f)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian tax card.

g)  Notarized copy of the Brazilian identification card.

h)  Legalized copy of the airplane ticket, showing the entry in Brazil.

i)  Letter of the company abroad, for which the customer worked, stating the length of the employment and salaries earned.

j)  Certificate of Residence from the Consulate, showing the time of residence abroad.

Automobiles

Importation of engines or vehicles is prohibited, except for diplomatic members.

Prohibited Articles

-  Flammable or corrosive materials.

-  Personal computers (only allowed if listed in the inventory with value in US Dollars).

-  Foodstuff, sausages (all subject to high duties). Only a reasonable amount of canned or packed goods must be shipped, except if you have a temporary visa.

-  Handguns and ammunition (must be in a list visaed by the Consulate and must be registered at the Brazilian Army before being released from Customs).

-  Jewelry, currency or valuable articles.

-  Drugs and medicines (unless there is a doctor’s prescription).

-  Engines and vehicles (unless in the case of diplomatic shipments).

-  High value coins or stamps collections.

-  Tobacco (free up to 400 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 250 of tobacco for pipe) High duties are applied.

-  Wines and alcoholic beverages (2 liters allowed). Customers with temporary visa will be always subject to the payment of duties.