Step by step for the Brazilian Import License (RADAR/SISCOMEX)

See also:

- Business Basics in Brazil
- Brazilian Import Costs

Today I would like to demystify some of the (overly bureaucratic) Brazilian rules on import and export licenses. I hope it helps the readers of my blog.

Secretly, I'm hoping that this detailed explanation will discourage my reader to try obtaining import licenses by themselves. The golden rule in Brazil is: never do anything by yourself. Brazil is not for beginners. 

In Brazil, all foreign trade operations require a certificate from the Brazilian Revenue Service (BRS) called "RADAR" (acronym in Portuguese for "Customs Stakeholders Performance Tracking System"). It is also necessary to be registered at the Integrated Foreign Trade System (Siscomex), which is responsible for the storage and control of all the Brazilian and foreign importers and exporters information regarding the transactions carried out by them.

Thus, in order to assist those who have interest in importing or exporting goods, we prepared this little manual guidance to help you get the RADAR / SISCOMEX license.

Important: If you are a foreign company who wishes to export to Brazil, you don't need a RADAR. Your buyer will need one. 
                       On the other hand, if you want to set up a subsidiary in Brazil, in order to resell your own merchandise, then you will need an Import License. 

First step - obtaining digital certificate

Firstly, the taxpayer must obtain a digital certificate to access the website of the Brazilian Revenue Service, since all documents must be sent online through a software (called "PGS"), an application that allows the taxpayer to upload all the necessary documents.

You can obtain the digital certificate with any of the certification companies at  this link.

After that, you must access this link and click on “acessar o portal e-CAC” (access the portal e-CAC) and select the Mailbox Portal CAC as your Electronic Tax Domicile (DTE), clicking on "Termo de Opção pelo Domicílio Tributário Eletrônico" (Term Option for Household Electronic Tax).

When the Statement Option appears on the screen, click on "Enviar Opção" (Send Option).  After this, the taxpayer will still be given the option to register up to 3 phone numbers to receive messages that inform the delivery of Revenue communications regarding the procedure.

Second step-Survey of documents to be submitted

The following documents are required for enabling SISCOMEX / RADAR:

- Enabling Application: Available at this link. Among the general data to be reported, you should have the following information:

·         The capital effectively paid by the company (in case of companies);

·         If the application is filed by an attorney, the attorney’s complete data. 

Ps.: The attorney cannot be enabled as the one responsible in the computerized systems (Siscomex or other).

·         The complete data of the customs forwarder in the event of using one to make the customs clearance.

- Certified copy of identification document of the legal representative of the corporate and of the signatory of the application, if they are different people;

- Power of attorney, if applicable;

- Articles of Association / Last amendment of the Articles of Association;

- Simplified Certificate of Commercial Registry (issued for a maximum of 90 days);

- Headquarters’ proof of "enabled/active" registration in Sintegra or written justification signed by the company if such proof is not mandatory;

- Initial Registration Form and Managers and Legal Representatives update: Can be obtained through the link. In section V - Specification of Systems and Profiles, fill the field systems with "Siscomex" and in "Profiles" the word "Responsible". The document shall be signed and notarized;

- Declaration signed by the applicant that all documents presented confer with the original.

These documents should be scanned, front and back, and saved to a file extension. "Pdf". It is important to highlight that the process does not accept e-files larger than 14MB.

The procedure for registration of attorney and delivery of PoA basically follows the same rite, but the taxpayer must select at the portal e-CAC the option " procuração eletrônica ", followed by " cadastrar procuração" and upload the document.

It is noteworthy that in the event of a change in the qualification already obtained, you must also fill out the Request for Qualification, stating the nature of the change, following the same procedure mentioned above.

Third step - Download of the Delivery Request Generator Program (PGS) and submission of documents

As mentioned, since the administrative procedure for SISCOMEX / RADAR license is completely digital, the documents mentioned above must be sent through the Delivery Request Generator Program (PGS).

To download the PGS just click at this link, and select the proper computer configuration.

After this, the taxpayer must access the e-CAC portal and click on "Processo Digital" (Digital Process) and follow the next screen on "Solicitação de Juntada de Documentos" (Documents Upload Request). Done! Documents can now be sent and processed by the BRS.

As it turns out, the procedure seems complicated, but with this little manual I hope it will be easier for taxpayers to obtain their RADAR / SISCOMEX license. It is important to remember that if the taxpayer does not want to have such work, there are many accounting and law firms specialized in foreign trade that already have knowledge of such process and that could help you.

See also:

- Business Basics in Brazil
- Brazilian Import Costs