FOCUS BRAZIL: Shipping, Customs, and How to Stay on Top of your Game
Posted by Ryan Klemm on Tue, Jul 13, 2010 @ 11:52 AM
HOSPITALAR 2010, Latin America's largest and leading medical industry trade fair, concluded recently to resounding success with a record-breaking 89,000 trade visitors from 41 nations and 1,250 exhibitors from Brazil and 35 other countries. This year, the number of direct U.S.-based exhibitors at the show also excelled past projections with 42 companies!
Despite these successful results, many companies from overseas get caught in the Brazilian shipping and customs “quagmire” that can turn a company’s best-laid plans inside out.
Brazilian customs clearance procedures for incoming and outgoing freight shipments for trade shows within Brazil are very detailed and time-consuming, and the authorities are rigid and exceptionally rigorous in the enforcement of the prevailing Brazilian customs regulations. Standard Brazilian cargo handling, transfer, and storage charges, along with compulsory Brazilian customs bonding fees, taxes, and other sometimes unforeseen cargo handling expenses often may be viewed as high by American exhibitors. In some cases, the cost of shipping alone can far exceed the cost of the exhibit space itself!
To ensure that each international exhibitor’s requirements are handled expertly and as smoothly as possible, Brazilian show management companies appoint a locally-based customs broker to handle ALL in-coming and out-going shipments to and from their trade fairs.
Far in advance of the trade show, it is highly recommend that the U.S. exhibitor start working with its U.S.-based freight forwarder of choice to review its shipping options, paperwork requirements, and of course to secure cost estimates. It is particularly important to select a freight forwarder that has experience in shipping to Brazil, or better yet a freight forwarder that specializes specifically in international trade show shipping. Simply selecting an international freight forwarder based upon the lowest price quotation, or attempting to send show materials with an international courier service in order to save a few dollars, can be risky and result in a shipment not arriving at the booth in time for the show!
Furthermore, all export documentation must meet exact requirements, and all shipments must be pre-authorized by Brazilian customs authorities before they can be shipped out of the United States to Brazil. Items for temporary import and items that will be given away and/or consumed during the exhibition must be packed and precisely documented separately, and sent in separate crates. Failure to follow the instructions provided to the US-based international freight forwarder and by the officially appointed Brazilian customs broker may result in delayed shipments and quite possibly some additional charges.
Messe Duesseldorf North America has been the official marketing and sales office for HOSPITALAR for more than a decade and can coach U.S. companies in all aspects of their trade fair planning for this important event. Contact us for details!