How To Import Batteries To Brazil
The import of batteries can be complicated due to their hazardous chemical components and energy efficiency. In this article, we will learn more about the import of batteries to Brazil.
Involved entities
INMETRO, which stands for Instituto Nacional de Metrologia, Qualidade e Tecnologia, Portuguese for National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology, is involved in the import of batteries to Brazil. As batteries are products that need to be compliant with PBE, the Brazilian Energy Efficiency Label, the import of batteries must be approved by INMETRO.
Batteries can only be imported to Brazil upon approval from INMETRO, but IBAMA, Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis, which is Portuguese for Brazilian Institute for the Environment and Renewable Natural Resources, may also be involved in this process. Since 2008, all manufacturers and importers of specific types of batteries must be registered on the IBAMA database and be compliant with its requirements as to the maximum levels of chemical components. These are:
- Lead-Acid
- Nickel-Cadmium
- Mercuric Oxide
- Manganese Dioxide (alkaline)
- Zinc-Carbon/Zinc-Manganese
Necessary documentation and procedures
Before importing any product to Brazil, the importer needs to be registered with Siscomex, which is the Brazilian Foreign Trade Integrated System, where all foreign trade operations are registered and tracked by the Receita Federal, the Brazilian Federal Revenue.
An Import Declaration is to be registered with Siscomex before the imported products are loaded abroad. In order to get an Import Declaration, the following documents need to be presented:
- Original bill of lading
- Original commercial invoice signed by the exporter
- Packing list where applicable
Batteries are subject to special import authorization by the Brazilian Government prior to loading abroad. Thus, the importer needs to request an Import License from Siscomex. The Import License will then be analysed by INMETRO, which will either authorize or deny the request to import the products.
This analysis can be requested on INMETRO’s website. INMETRO has a maximum deadline of 60 days to analyse the Import License and this process costs BRL 47,39 (as of March 2015).
In order to be able to import batteries to Brazil, it is also necessary to be registered on IBAMA’s database for activities that may have an environmental impact, CTF. CTF stands for Cadastro Técnico Federal de Atividades Potencialmente Poluidoras ou Utilizadoras de Recursos Ambientais, which is Portuguese for Federal Technical Registry of Potentially Polluting Activities or Users of Environmental Resources.
To register with CTF, individuals must access this link, and legal entities must access this link. It is important to say that registration with CTF must be made before the shipment of the batteries.
When registering with CTF, it is necessary to register under code 18-81, which is the code for “Trade of chemical and hazardous products - import of batteries and products containing them”.
Importers and manufacturers of batteries in Brazil are also required to prepare and submit a management plan for the disposal and transport of the batteries. This plan must be submitted to IBAMA through CTF.
Also, for all batteries, a physicochemical report must be sent to IBAMA in order to attest that the batteries are compliant with IBAMA regulations. This report must be elaborated by a laboratory accredited by INMETRO.
After the customs clearance process is completed and the respective taxes are duly paid, a Proof of Import is issued to the importer, effectively promoting the nationalization of the imported products. This is an electronic document issued by the Federal Revenue.