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What is the difference between customs clearance and customs clearance?

In foreign trade practices, we are faced with several terms that help in identifying the stage in which an import operation is. However, it is important to understand the differences in terms, because, even having similar words, in the actual practice of the operation, they do not have the same meaning. This is the case for customs clearance and customs clearance.

Customs clearance is the bureaucratic procedure in which the accuracy of the data declared by the importer regarding the imported goods is verified. Through customs clearance, following the specific legislation of the goods, customs clearance is obtained, a record that the customs conference has been completed.

What is customs clearance?

Customs clearance consists of the act of collecting information about the goods, such as their commercial, exchange, financial, tax and fiscal nature, confronting them with the specific legislation of the imported product, obtaining the granting of licenses by specific consenting bodies ( if any), making available to the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil the documents used in the customs clearance to prove the data and import registration.

Normally, the customs broker is in charge of the customs clearance stage, acting as an intermediary for information between the importer and the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil.

Bearing in mind that it is necessary to proceed with customs clearance to await customs clearance, it is important to emphasize that clarity of information and veracity of facts are essential to obtain customs clearance. With this, it is possible to avoid extraordinary costs and delays in the release of the goods if you have to make corrections and adjustments to the declared information.

As soon as the information is provided and the import declaration is registered through SISCOMEX, at this moment, the import order is started, and a number is generated by the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil. After this step, it will be necessary to wait for the channel parameterization, which indicates the opinion of the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil on the import in question.

What are the parameterization channels in the import?

Once the import registration is completed and the analysis by the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil is finalized, the process will be parameterized according to channels, which point from the need for documentary verification, to physical inspection of the goods and application of a special customs control procedure. Considering that it is impossible to inspect all merchandise that arrives in the country, the parameterization makes a “drawing of channels”, which are:

  • Green Channel
  • Yellow Channel
  • Red channel
  • Gray Channel

Green Channel: This is the automatic release by the system, with the need for document examination and physical verification of the goods. Companies that are regular importers and up to date with their obligations tend to have a green channel in most of their imports.

It is important to note that it is a prerogative of the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil to carry out documentary and physical verification of the goods, even with the parameterization of the green channel. This procedure may occur if there are indications of irregularities in the import.

Yellow Channel: Documentary examination of the goods is carried out to obtain customs clearance. If no irregularity is found, the physical inspection of the goods is waived. In case of irregularity or need for physical verification to complement the information contained in the import declaration, the goods will be subject to physical inspection.

Red Channel: There is a need for documental and physical verification of the goods. At this stage, the definition of the analyst and the inspector of the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil is awaited for document analysis and physical verification of the goods. Once everything is in compliance, customs clearance is awaited. If not, the requirement is fulfilled to finalize customs clearance.

Gray Channel: Customs clearance takes place only after documental and physical verification of the goods, normally, with the application of a special customs control procedure. In this case, the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil checks if there is evidence of fraud regarding the information declared, related to prices, purpose of use of the goods, among others.

What is customs clearance?

After completing the customs clearance steps and issuing the proof of importation, customs clearance is obtained, which is the conclusion of the customs conference by the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil, releasing the entry of goods into Brazilian territory.

It is important to note that if all the steps of customs clearance are followed correctly, it is possible to prevent delays in the release and delivery of the goods, saving on storage costs and even avoiding fines and rework with corrections.

Therefore, working with a responsible and professional customs broker is essential to ensure the smoothness of import and export processes. 

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