São Luís – The Brazilian federal government published this Wednesday (8) in the Official Federal Gazette a decree removing wharfage fees from the import tariff calculation base. According to the Brazilian government, removing the fee from the customs valuation will foster “a transversal trade opening of the economy,” reducing import costs.
Wharfing is the activity of moving goods in the facilities within the port and is related to the receipt, checking, internal transport, opening of volumes for customs checking, handling, storage, delivery, loading, and unloading vessels.
The decree amends another provision from 2009, which regulated the administration of customs activities, inspection, control, and taxation of foreign trade operations related to unloading and handling associated with the transport of imported goods.
With the new resolution, for the purpose of calculating the customs value, expenses “incurred in the national territory and separated from the transportation cost” will be excluded. The new regulations of the decree, signed on June 7, will come into force today (June 8), the date of its publication in the Brazilian Official Federal Gazette.
According to the Brazilian government, the measure “aligns with the international commitments adopted by Brazil with Mercosur partners and the World Trade Organization (WTO).”
Translated by Elúsio Brasileiro
