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Seven documents needed to import international products

Like any commercial transaction, the import process must also be supported by the documentation corresponding to this type of operation.

It is with these documents that the negotiation is formalized, so being careful when issuing each of them is essential. We prepared the following article to talk a little more about each document needed when importing international products.

Proforma Invoice (PI)

The proforma invoice is the initial document of any transaction of the international trade. If we needed to compare it to a Brazilian document, it would be our budget, in which the product values, payment terms and bank details are listed, when necessary.

It is with the proforma that international payments related to the signal, for example, are made. For foreign exchange procedures, the bank usually requires this document, as it contains all the information necessary for the international transfer.

Commercial Invoice (CI)

The Commercial Invoice is the actual purchase invoice for the goods, that is, it would be the equivalent of our "Nota Fiscal". Very similar to the previous one, this document details the participants of the operation: exporter, manufacturer, buyer and importer, as well as the products and their values, in addition to the tariff codes (NCM, HSCode…) and summary information about the packaging.

The Commercial Invoice is one of the most important documents of the operation, since it is one of those required by the Federal Customs for checking in case of channels other than green, when there is a requirement to present the original import documentation to the inspector responsible for analyzing the process.

Packing List (PL)

The packing list, as the name implies, is the list of packages in which the products are packed. These documents specify the number of packages, their types, net and gross weights, dimensions and cubage.

The packing directly reference the number of Commercial Invoice, and it is essential that the information listed in this document is exactly in line with reality, as it is based on them that the items are declared in the Merchant system. In the event of any non-compliance, the importer may be prevented from releasing the cargo at the customs warehouse of destination.

Bill of lading / Air Waybill (BL or AWB)

The BL or AWB, used in maritime and air modes, respectively, are the most common bills of lading in foreign trade. It is in these documents that the packages, the type of cargo and the places of shipment and destination are manifested.

The main function of this document is to formalize the international transit, that is, where it will start (where it was exported/shipped) and where it will end the journey of the goods (where it will be imported/received). 

The bill of lading also shows the most important information on how the cargo is packed, its size and weight, in addition to being the pillar of the cargo's manifestation in the Merchant system, where all international cargoes need to be declared in order to be allowed to enter the countries that will receive them.

Certificate of Origin (CO)

The certificate of origin is the document that describes, in detail, where that item was produced and originated. It is using this document that importers and exporters can benefit from agreements between economic blocs, for example.

This document is issued by the exporter through entities certified by regulatory bodies, such as our Federal Customs.

A typical case: An importer who is bringing merchandise from Argentina may be exempt from paying the import tax in this operation if he has a Certificate of Origin that attests those goods as being manufactured in Argentina thanks to the Treaty of Asunción, which governs the Mercosur trade agreement. .

Import Licensing (LI)

Import licensing is only required for some products and consultation on this requirement must be made before the goods leave the country of origin, as regulatory bodies may require pre-shipment issuance.

The Import License, as the name itself explains, is the permission to import certain items. The consenting agencies, responsible for analyzing and authorizing the import, vary according to the NCM, so it is necessary to make an in-depth consultation item by item, avoiding problems in customs clearance

The LI is linked to the customs clearance process, which is only concluded if there is evidence of the effective permission of the regulatory agency upon granting it.

Import Declaration (DI)

The Import Declaration is the last document in the import chain. The DI summarizes the entire import operation, as it is where the item-by-item descriptions in Portuguese are highlighted, the packaging information, product values, freight and international insurance and taxes payable are informed.

It is also at the time of its issuance that the customs broker, the person usually responsible for preparing the document, binds the possible import licenses and declares the benefits of international agreements or reduction of taxes, when applicable.

The DI undergoes an analysis by the Federal Customs before clearance, and only after the parameterization in the green channel, is that the cargo will be available to be effectively removed from the customs warehouse.

As can be seen, the documentary universe of the import processes is quite vast, understanding each of its specifics point by point is essential to guarantee a smooth customs clearance. Target performs a thorough document analysis of the processes in order to ensure speed and assertiveness to the procedures. We can help you in this quest. How about we talk a little about it? Contact us!

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