How to Import Fur to Brazil
The import of fur can be complicated due to it being an animal by-product which may carry foreign pests and other harmful bodies that may represent a threat to animal health in Brazil. In this article, we will learn how to import these items to Brazil.
Involved entities
The involved entities responsible in the fiscalization and supervision of the import of animals, whether dead or alive, to Brazil are:
- The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply, MAPA. MAPA aims to prevent the entry and spread of pests that could be a threat to national agriculture, ensuring the health of products and the quality of imported and exported agricultural inputs
- Vigiagro, which is the International Agricultural Surveillance System, is responsible for inspecting and supervising the international traffic of animals and plants, their products and by-products
In order to learn more about the CITES certificate and how to obtain one, take a look at this article.
Certification of exporting company
In order to export animal products to Brazil, prior recognition of equivalence in sanitary inspection services is necessary between the importing and the exporting countries. If necessary, a representative of MAPA will proceed to inspect the facilities of the exporting company.
When the country already exports such products to Brazil, it is necessary for a foreign authority from the exporting country to confirm that the producer complies with Brazilian sanitary requirements and is able to export such products to Brazil. This official statement should be sent in Portuguese to the embassy in the country of the exporting company in Brazil or directly to MAPA’s Department of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Affairs of the Secretariat of International Relations.
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 Service.
An Import Declaration has 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
Fur is subject to a 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 the involved entities, which will either authorize or deny the request to import the products. It normally takes up to seven working days for the involved entities to authorize or deny the import of the products.
The necessary documents for the import of fur to Brazil are:
- Requerimento para Fiscalização de Produtos Agropecuários - Formulário V, which is Portuguese for Application for Supervision of Agricultural Products - Form V
- Prior import authorization with requirements and guidance on procedures to be adopted
- Copy of Certificate of Origin, duly sworn translated
- Import License Extract or Simplified Import License Extract
In addition to these an International Health Certificate, issued by the Official Veterinary Service in the country of origin containing the following information needs to be provided:
- Country of origin
- Name and address of shipper
- Name and address of recipient
- Quantity
- Nature of the goods
- Type of packaging
- Number of CITES certificate
Should the International Health Certificate not be in Portuguese, a sworn translation will be necessary.