Navigating the World of Industrial Machinery Imports: What You Need to Know

In today’s globalized economy, importing industrial machinery has become a common practice for businesses looking to stay competitive and access the latest technology. However, navigating the complexities of international trade can be daunting, especially when it comes to importing specialized equipment for manufacturing purposes. In this blog post, we’ll explore the key considerations and steps involved in importing industrial machinery, helping you make informed decisions and streamline the import process.

Understanding Import Regulations and Compliance

One of the first steps in importing industrial machinery is to familiarize yourself with the import regulations and compliance requirements of the country you’re importing to. This includes understanding import duties, taxes, and customs procedures, as well as any regulatory standards and certifications that the machinery must meet. Working with experienced customs brokers or import/export consultants can help ensure compliance and minimize potential delays or issues during the import process.

Researching Suppliers and Quality Assurance

When sourcing industrial machinery from overseas suppliers, it’s essential to conduct thorough research and due diligence to ensure product quality and reliability. Look for reputable manufacturers with a track record of producing high-quality machinery that meets industry standards and specifications. Request product samples, certifications, and references from potential suppliers, and consider visiting their facilities in person if possible to assess their manufacturing processes and quality control measures.

Choosing the Right Shipping Method

The choice of shipping method is another critical consideration when importing industrial machinery. Depending on factors such as the size, weight, and value of the machinery, as well as the urgency of delivery, you may opt for air freight, sea freight, or a combination of both. Each shipping method has its own advantages and drawbacks in terms of cost, transit time, and reliability, so weigh your options carefully to determine the most suitable solution for your specific needs.

Ensuring Proper Packaging and Handling

Industrial machinery is often large, heavy, and delicate, requiring special packaging and handling to protect it during transit. Work closely with your supplier and freight forwarder to ensure that the machinery is properly packaged, crated, and secured for transportation. Consider using custom-made crates or containers designed to fit the dimensions of the machinery and provide maximum protection against damage or breakage during shipping.

How to import industrial machines?

Now that you know what is needed to import, we will see step by step how to import industrial machinery and equipment.

After all the necessary registrations mentioned above, you must:

1. Do a search to find a reliable supplier, define which product will be imported and hire;
2. Check the regulation of the goods to make sure that the Brazilian technical standards and safety requirements are being observed;
3. Hire a customs broker or specialized company to take care of all bureaucratic procedures and ensure that the product is imported legally;
4. Calculate import costs, such as taxes, customs fees, freight, and others;
5. Choose a secure international payment method;
6. Check the required legal documentation, such as Commercial Invoice, Bill of Lading (BL), Certificate of Origin, among others;
7. Attend to the customs clearance that occurs after the arrival of the product in Brazil and hire, if necessary, legal support for any requirements;
8. Carry out the registration of the Import Declaration (DI) and the initial nationalization procedures, followed by the issuance of the Entry Invoice;
9. After all the above procedures, hire insurance and national freight to transport the machinery to your company.

Finally, be aware that the process of importing industrial machinery requires a lot of attention, as any irregularity found by the tax authorities entails a custom fine of 1% of the value of the goods.

Therefore, always keep in touch with an expert to review the legal documents and avoid irregularities.

Can I import used industrial machines?

If your goal is to import more economically, you can choose to import used machinery and equipment.

On the other hand, it’s worth mentioning that this type of operation has more legal restrictions when compared to the importation of new machinery.

Currently, it’s required that there is no equivalent machinery in the national territory and only allows the importation of a specific list of items, according to SECEX Ordinance (nº 23 – 07/14/2011) and Customs Regulation (Decree nr. 6.759/2009).

In addition, it’s necessary to obtain approval from the Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Operations (SUEXT), through an Import License.

What are the costs and taxes that must be paid on importation?

The import operation incurs the Import Tax (II), the Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI), PIS and Cofins contributions and the Tax on Circulation of Goods (ICMS).

In these cases, taxation may vary according to the goods. An example of this is the IPI, which has a zero rate in several cases.

In addition to this, the Import Tax must also be analyzed, as it is an extra-fiscal tax that has many essential caveats for the importation of industrial machinery and equipment.

Are there advantages in importing industrial machinery?

Recently, a resolution was published granting exemption from Import Tax for 564 industrial machines and equipment not produced in Brazil.

Said exemption will be in force until December 31, 2025, and should benefit more than 40 sectors of the economy, such as, for example, the manufacture and resale of machinery and equipment.

Therefore, it is necessary to identify in the legislation which items are subject to exemption from said tax in order to benefit from this tax incentive.