COVID-19: Brazil simplifies customs clearance processes for products needed to combat the pandemic

In order to facilitate the combat of the corona crisis.  the Brazilian Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX) published a new legislation on March 17, 2020. The resolution simplifies the customs clearance processes for articles used to combat the spread of COVID-19.

The legislation - valid up to September 30, 2020 – sets the import tariff rate to 0%, such as disinfectants, antiseptic gels, protective masks and other key articles needed by hospitals, pharmacies, etc. It also allows these pre-listed items to be treated with priority by the Brazilian customs. Thus, the products may be moved to the importer under expedited clearance, as well as the authorization of importers to receive goods under expedited release, resulting in a simpler and faster custom clearance and release service.

Subsequently, this legislation has been updated since its publishing date and other items related to COVID-19 combat have been included by three more CAMEX Resolutions, as of March 25^th, April 1^st and April 8^th, which can all be accessed here. The list of additional items includes airflow sensors, batteries, monitors, chemicals, vitamins, surgery cloths, semi-automatic machines, etc.

This Brazilian policy response to COVID-19 has been selected as one best practice example of current government efforts to securing cross-border trade, as published by the World Bank note "Managing Risk and Facilitating Trade in the Covid-19 Pandemic".