Cargo clearing at Port of Santos starts to catch up to normal pace over eased protest

Clearing cargo for exports can take up to seven days. Conversely, imports can take about 15 days to be cleared. This is the current average time Federal Revenue agents take at the Port of Santos to perform their duties, which stands in stark contrast to the time recorded during the peak of the protest led by them. At the time, the average times were 30 and 45 days, respectively.

The information comes from the president of the National Union of Tax Auditors of the Federal Revenue Service of Brazil (Sindifisco) in Santos, Elias Carneiro Junior. “We had large stocks of goods piling up. As we decided to decrease the pressure on the movement, it is only natural that what was bad in cargo clearance would improve. We deliver faster results today than at the height of the protests, but still not at the ideal pace.”

Carneiro refers to a decision taken last month by the tax auditors. At the time, the agents understood that the work-to-rule protest was seriously harming foreign trade operations and generating excessive complaints. The protest movement claims new public service hiring examination to increase the number of active federal agents, as well as a revision of the agency’s budget and the inclusion of a productivity bonus payment in next year’s federal budget.

Last week, 86% of those present at an assembly held by tax workers’ organizations voted to continue the work-to-rule protest. However, according to Carneiro, the mobilization shall continue 30% softer. Regardless, many Port of Santos users still fear that the movement will intensify again.

“In imports, there are still cases of excessive delays due to documentary requirements, but the situation has improved a lot. During risk assignment phases, few cargo loads are directed to the more inspection-intensive areas. [I believe] this is due to the truce announced by the Sindifisco union. However, it doesn’t mean that the movement won’t grow more aggressive again,” claimed José Roque, executive director of a maritime agencies union in the state of São Paulo.

According to him, it is possible to have imported goods cleared in one day if all documentation is in order. “In imports, about 95% of cargo goes to the green inspection channel. The rest, if there is a problem with the documentation, is directed to the yellow and red channels, which may represent 15 to 20 days of wait,” highlighted the executive.

Civil service examination

The Federal Government inked on October 14 a contract with the Getulio Vargas Foundation for a civil service examination to hire new Federal Revenue workers. The agreement was disclosed in the Brazilian Federal Gazette dated October 18.

The next step is the publication of the tender protocol, which will guarantee 699 new job openings. This document should be published until December 13. The examination should take place only in 2023.

Source: A Tribuna

To read the full original article, please go to: https://www.atribuna.com.br/noticias/portomar/liberacao-de-cargas-fica-mais-rapida-no-porto-de-santos

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