Brazil Accurate Export Paperwork

U.S. exporters shipping items through express delivery to Brazil should pay extra attention when preparing export documentation. Inaccurate or missing information on documents can lead to serious consequences, including delays in clearance, fines and even cargo forfeiture.

Brazil’s Customs Authority (Receita Federal) may treat documental discrepancies as violations. Even what may seem minor mistakes, such as incorrect weight, can trigger further scrutiny, delays and possible penalties. Other more serious errors, such as altering value of items on an invoice or tweaking product descriptions may lead to heavy fines, as these practices may be perceived as potential fraud. For example, declaring a lower value for an item on an invoice may lead to a fine equal to 100% of the difference between the declared value and the value assessed by Customs officials.

While U.S. exporters are not directly liable by Brazilian Customs, they should be aware that providing false or misleading information can result in serious consequences. Determination of an exporter’s complicity may lead to additional violation charges under U.S. trade and export regulations.

It is recommended that exporters implement strict compliance policies. Documents such as the commercial invoice must accurately reflect the real transaction: value, weight, product description, among other characteristics. Including wrong information in documentation (whether negligently or deliberately) can put at risk the entire export transaction.

For more details on export documentation and compliance guidelines, please reach out to moacir.rodovalho@trade.gov.