Brasília – Passengers on international flights who want to avoid problems with customs will have to be more mindful as of next year. The Brazilian Federal Revenue will strengthen surveillance of travellers visiting the country, by means of modern intelligence systems and cross-checking of information.
As of the first half of 2015, airlines will have to submit to the Brazilian Federal Revenue and Federal Police Department data pertaining to each passenger on international flights destined for Brazil. Information such as number and weight of luggage, country of origin and length of trip will be cross-checked with a databank to identify suspicious passengers, who will be approached by the authorities upon arriving in Brazil.
The Brazilian Federal Revenue’s Customs and International Relations undersecretary, Ernani Checcucci, explained that the strengthening of surveillance is not intended to hurt common tourists or professional travellers who constantly go abroad. According to him, the Federal Revenue wants to punish passengers who take advantage of international flights in order to make commerce, transport values illegally or smuggle drugs, weapons and medicines.
*Translated by Rodrigo Mendonça
