Moving To Brazil

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Customs Regulations for Brazil

Passport (original)
Stamped Visa
Residence Visa
Brazilian I.D. card
Inventory in Portuguese (two originals)
- Inventory should be divided into two separate inventories with first listing used items and the second containing “new” items (i.e. items less than six months old)
- Inventory must be itemized in detail with brand names, make, model and serial numbers of all electrical items noted
- Must show the estimated value of the item in U.S. dollars
- Must be legalized by the Brazilian Consulate for temporary visa holders
- Pets must be listed on the inventory
Certificate of Residence issued by the Brazilian Consulate (for returning citizens)
Proof of revenue abroad
Proof of residence abroad for over one year
Work Contract and Customs Bond for Customers holding a temporary visa
- Goods must be re-exported upon expiration of the contract for holders of a temporary visa
“Termo de Responsibilidade” (guarantee)
Power of Attorney forms provided by the Destination Agent
- Letter authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment

Only two shipments are permitted, one by sea and one by air
Shipments must arrive in Brazil no sooner than three months before or no later than six months after Customer’s arrival
- Shipments must embark from the customer’s resident country
Shipments need to be 100 percent inspected
Clearance cannot begin until all the necessary documents are received

In Brazil, some articles may not be imported whatsoever. These items include, but may not be limited to:

Illegal drugs
Guns, explosives and ammunition
Knives and other deadly weapons
Unauthorized pets and animals
Counterfeit money and goods
Hazardous materials
Pornographic material

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in Brazil. These items include, but are not limited to:

Alcohol and tobacco products
Appliances
Bicycles
Photo, audio and video equipment
Computers need a special entry permit from SEI (list model, serial number and accessories)

Some items require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture before being granted entry to Brazil. These include:

Fresh fruit and vegetables
Fresh, dried, or canned meats and meat products
Fish and fish products
Dairy products such as milk, eggs, cheese, etc.
Honey including royal jelly, beeswax and propolis
Flowers, plants or plant parts like bulbs, seedlings, plant cuttings, etc.
Insects
Snails
Bacteria or fungi
Birds
Animal food
Agrochemicals
Biological materials for scientific study or other purposes (semen, embryos, biological or veterinary products)
Untreated wood

In an attempt to protect Brazilian crops/fauna/flora from what is known in the USA as the Chinese Bug (Anoplophora Glabripennis), the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has imposed severe restrictions that are effective immediately on the entry of pallets, wooden airvans, lift-vans, crates, etc.

Wooden units must have a fumigation certificate issued by the applicable official government agency in the origin country
Wood must be certified treated with heat, fumigation or other type of previously agreed upon chemical product
Fumigation should be completed no more than 15 days prior to shipment
If wooden crates, units or pieces arrive in Brazil without the certificate, the goods will either be incinerated at the Customer’s expense, or be treated (if possible)

In Brazil, only foreign diplomats are allowed to import a motor vehicle. Diplomats will need the following documents:

Passport
The Bill of Lading
REDA-E (Diplomatic-Free Entry Document – obtained from the embassy through the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Power of Attorney (from the Embassy)
Proof of ownership
Receipt of purchase

When importing a pet to Brazil, the requirements are:

An International Health Certificate
- Issued within 10 days of departure from the Customer’s country of origin
- If not in Portuguese, the customer may need to have the document translated by a sworn translator
Rabies Vaccination Certificate for all pets 90 days or older (unless pet is coming from a country declared rabies-free)
- Must be issued 30 days prior to intended date of arrival
- Vaccination should be valid for at least one year
Air Waybill for all pets arriving in Brazil as cargo
Cats and dogs are subject to examination upon arrival in Brazil

Household goods and personal effects may be imported duty and tax free provided they have been owned and used for at least six months and the Customer does not plan to issue them for re-sale
Presents, souvenirs, computers and carpets are all duty-free if they are part of the household goods shipments
Clothes and other articles considered personal items of Customer are considered duty-free
Books, magazines (printed on paper) and periodicals such as newspapers are not considered taxable even if new
It is strongly advised not to import any items that are new as they will be subject to high duties and fines
- New items sent as unaccompanied baggage are subject to duties totaling 50% of the value of said goods
- Customer must present these items on a separate invoice
Other items also subject to high duty fees include:
- Duplicate items
- Electrical appliances
- Wedding trousseaux
- Items which have been inherited
- New furniture
- Alcohol
- Tins of food

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. Since such regulations are subject to change without notice, International sea & air shipping cannot be held liable for any costs, damage, delays, or other detrimental events resulting from non-compliance. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 788-1090

How International Sea & Air can help for moving to Brazil

To start, one of our trained moving specialists will provide a one-on-one consultation with you, thoroughly outlining your moving options based on certain criteria, such as:

Your moving timeline. When do you need to be in Brazil?
Your real estate plans. Will you be renting or buying?
Your fragile items. Do you require packing or custom crating services?
Your family/household size. Will you be moving alone or with your family? For business or personal reasons?
Cubic feet estimate. How large is your shipment?

What Will Moving to Brazil Cost?

For an accurate estimate of your shipment size, you should schedule a home survey as early as possible for your move to Brazil. Our moving specialists will assess your belongings to give you the best estimate possible to expedite your relocation. The cost of moving to Brazil will vary considerably based on the cubic footage of your belongings and your proposed destination arrival time.

Don’t forget to ask about our overseas packing and custom crating services, too!

About Brazil

Brazil (officially the Federative Republic of Brazil), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America, and the fifth overall largest country in the world with the seventh largest economy. It’s also a country whose landscape has the greatest biodiversity on the planet, containing everything from rainforests (like 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest) and pine forests, to dunes and sandy beaches, and an extensive and complex system of rivers. It shares land borders with Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.

The biggest Portuguese speaking country in the world (and the only one in North and South America), Brazil takes much of its culture from Portugal, having been a Portuguese colony pre-independence from 1500 to 1808 after being claimed by explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral.

In addition to its ties to the European country, Brazil is also widely known for its party atmosphere (especially in Rio de Janeiro), specifically the Brazilian Carnival (AKA the Carnaval do Brasil, Carnaval or Carnival) which takes place every year from the Friday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the Christian holiday of Lent.

Can’t wait to get started with your overseas relocation to Brazil? First, find out what you’ll need to clear Customs.

Moving to Brazil from the U.S.

If you are moving to Brazil from the United States, there will be plenty to consider and prepare for before you head across the globe (like learning Portuguese, for example). The last thing you want to worry about is the logistics of a complicated move.

Not sure where to start when it comes to planning your overseas relocation? International Sea & Air Shipping will make your transition to Brazil as seamless as possible by planning everything you need from origin to destination.

We provide top-notch shipping services for all of your household goods, assistance with documentation, customs clearance, and much more. Our trained professionals are here to make your international move to Brazil that much easier! When it comes to planning your overseas relocation, don’t hesitate to give us a call!