At PACK & SEND, we have more than 30 years’ experience in managing international shipments. Large, small, awkwardly shaped or valuable – we handle every type of freight, so you can trust us with all your imports from Brazil. Please complete the form here to obtain a quote.
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Paperwork Needed for Importing from Brazil
You will need to complete the following paperwork in preparation for importing items from Brazil to the UK:
Customs declaration – this is a document that gives the details of the Brazilian goods you are importing. It can be lodged either by you or your broker or freight forwarder.
Commodity code – this is a ten-digit number that classifies imports from outside the EU. It identifies the rates of duty and VAT you’ll pay and any restrictions there are on your items.
EORI number – this is a registration and identification number for anyone importing goods into the UK.
Import licences – this is not needed for most goods, but some do need licences. These include military goods, technology, art, plants, animals, medicines, and chemicals.
The duties and taxes you will pay on your goods from Brazil will depend on their commodity codes, as well as the overall purchase and shipping value of the shipment.
As there is currently no free trade agreement between Brazil and the UK, customs duties will apply to goods worth over £135. The exact rate will depend on the commodity code of the import in question. You can check the duty rates for each code on the Trade Tariff website.
If you don’t pay any required import duties, customs will hold your goods for about three weeks before sending them back. They could even seize your goods, and you may also be fined.
You will be liable to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) on anything being imported into the UK from Brazil. This is calculated on top of import duties, and the rate is the same as if you had bought the items in the UK – 20%.
Importantly, it also includes the door-to-port cost of shipping the items to the UK, so it doesn’t disadvantage companies far from UK ports.
If your EORI number is linked to your UK VAT number, you can claim back the VAT on your normal VAT return by using HMRC form C79.
Avoid Double Taxation You should make sure you don’t pay Goods and Services Tax (GST), the Brazilian equivalent of VAT. VAT is paid in the UK, and you only need to pay it once. Ensure that your Brazilian supplier doesn’t charge you GST, as reclaiming it once paid can be difficult.
This will depend on how much you’re shipping and how urgently you need it. If your item is large or bulky, Sea freight is usually the best option. However, you should allow from 6-8 weeks for your items to reach you in the UK from Brazil, which is not ideal for urgent shipments.
If you need your items sooner, choose air freight. Flight times will be around 11 hours.
Smaller items may take longer to arrive via air freight because they will be part of a consolidated flight and may have to wait until a plane is full before departing.
This option gives you access to our full range of shipping capabilities at a lower price than you would pay for a bespoke solution in our service centres. Shipments that are pre-packaged and weight less than 30kg may be eligible for this solution.
Using our Online Self-Service option is quick and easy, and you’re in control of the whole process – packing your own items, scheduling the shipment, printing the labels and tracking the cargo all the way through.