Brazil extends “clearance on water” to non-AEO importers in maritime trade

Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service will allow, starting March 16, 2026, “clearance on water” for maritime imports filed under the Single Import Declaration (Duimp) to companies without Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) certification.

The move expands a procedure that had been restricted to certified operators and is expected to increase predictability for importers and other foreign trade participants. In practice, it allows customs clearance steps — and, when applicable, approvals from other regulatory agencies — to be carried out before the vessel berths, accelerating cargo release.

Under the new rules, the measure will apply to maritime Duimps nationwide, except for declarations registered at customs units in the state of São Paulo.

In São Paulo ports, implementation will take place at a later stage, following the phase-out of the Import Declaration (DI) in maritime operations, both for shipments without administrative controls and those subject to regulatory approvals, in line with the official timeline of Brazil’s Single Foreign Trade Portal.

For companies certified as AEOs, there will be no change in priority treatment. The assignment of inspection channels — and, where applicable, customs clearance — will continue to occur immediately after Duimp registration.

For non-certified importers, however, the assignment of inspection channels will remain subject to the risk analysis timeframe defined by the Federal Revenue Service.

Source: Brazilian government

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