Agricultural products
- Document symbol
- G/LIC/N/3/BRA/12
- Original language
- English
- Published on
- 21/09/2023
Outline of Systems
Q1. Give a brief description of each licensing system as a whole and, with respect to each, reply to the following questions as relevant, placing all of the material with respect to a given system in sequence together, and using cross references as appropriate when elements which have already been described are also present in another system.
MAPA only uses the licensing system of SISCOMEX.
Purposes and Coverage of Licensing
Q2. Identify each licensing system maintained and state what products, appropriately grouped, are covered.
The products subject to map licensing are those provided in the Annex to Normative Instruction No. 51 of 4 November 2011 (https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/vigilancia-agropecuaria/importacao-e-exportacao/anexos-in-51).
Q3. The system applies to goods originating in and coming from which countries?
There is no distinction among the countries' origin
Q4. Is the licensing intended to restrict the quantity or value of imports, and if not, what are its purposes? Have alternative methods of accomplishing the purposes been considered and if so which? Why have they not been adopted?
MAPA's licensing is not intended to restrict quantity or value.
Q5. Cite the law, regulation and/or administrative order under which the licensing is maintained. Is the licensing statutorily required? Does the legislation leave designation of products to be subjected to licensing to administrative discretion? Is it possible for the government (or the executive branch) to abolish the system without legislative approval?
The import licensing carried out by MAPA has as a legal basis the following regulations:
- Law No. 1.283 of 18 December 1950;
- Law No. 7.889 of 23 November 1989;
- Law No. 6.198 of 26 December 1974;
- Law No. 6.446 of 5 October 1977;
- Law No. 6.894 of 16 December 1980;
- Law No. 7.678 of 8 November 1988;
- Law No. 8.918 of 14 July 1994;
- Law No. 9.972 of 25 May 2000;
- Law No. 10.711 of 5 August 2003.
Normative Instruction No. 51/2011 establishes criteria and procedures for the control and supervision of products of agricultural interest subject to import licensing in SISCOMEX.
Licensing is mandatory by law. The administrative authority has the discretion to designate the products subject to licensing. The government cannot abolish the system without legislative approval.
Procedures
Q6. For products under restriction as to the quantity or value of imports (whether applicable globally or to a limited number of countries or whether established bilaterally or unilaterally):
Q6.I. Is information published, and where, concerning allocation of quotas and formalities of filing applications for licences? If not, how is it brought to the attention of possible importers? Of governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries and their trade representatives? Is the overall amount published? The amount allocated to goods from each country? The maximum amount allocated to each importer? How to request any exceptions or derogations from the licensing requirement?
Q6.II. How is the size of the quotas determined: on a yearly, six-monthly or quarterly basis? Are there cases where the size of quota is determined on a yearly basis but licences are issued for imports on a six-monthly or quarterly basis? In the latter case, is it necessary for importers to apply for fresh licence on a six-monthly or quarterly basis?
Q6.III. Are licences allotted for certain goods partly or only to domestic producers of like goods? What steps are taken to ensure that licences allocated are actually used for imports? Are unused allocations added to quotas for a succeeding period? Are the names of importers to whom licences have been allocated made known to governments and export promotion bodies of exporting countries upon request? If not, for what reason? (Indicate products to which replies relate.)
Q6.IV. From the time of announcing the opening of quotas, as indicated in I above, what is the period of time allowed for the submission of applications for licences?
Q6.V. What are the minimum and maximum lengths of time for processing applications?
Q6.VI. How much time remains, at a minimum, between the granting of licences and the date of opening of the period of importation?
Q6.VII. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
Q6.VIII. If the demand for licences cannot be fully satisfied, on what basis is the allocation to applicants made? First come, first served? Past performance? Is there a maximum amount to be allocated per applicant and, if so, on what basis is it determined? What provision is made for new importers? Are applications examined simultaneously or on receipt?
Q6.IX. In the case of bilateral quotas or export restraint arrangements where export permits are issued by exporting countries, are import licences also required? If so, are licences issued automatically?
Q6.X. In cases where imports are allowed on the basis of export permits only, how is the importing country informed of the effect given by the exporting countries to the understanding between the two countries?
Q6.XI. Are there products for which licences are issued on condition that goods should be exported and not sold in the domestic market?
Q7. Where there is no quantitative limit on importation of a product or on imports from a particular country:
Q7.a. How far in advance of importation must application for a licence be made? Can licences be obtained within a shorter time-limit or for goods arriving at the port without a licence (for example, owing to inadvertency)?
There is no specific time in advance, but prior consent is required for the goods to enter Brazil.
Q7.b. Can a licence be granted immediately on request?
All the license applications are analysed a case-by-case basis, in chronological order.
Q7.c. Are there any limitations as to the period of the year during which application for licence and/or importation may be made? If so, explain.
There is no limitation.
Q7.d. Is consideration of licence applications effected by a single administrative organ? Or must the application be passed on to other organs for visa, note or approval? If so, which? Does the importer have to approach more than one administrative organ?
MAPA's import licensing is independent of forwarding or consulting other bodies.
Q8. Under what circumstances may an application for a licence be refused other than failure to meet the ordinary criteria? Are the reasons for any refusal given to the applicant? Have applicants a right of appeal in the event of refusal to issue a licence and, if so, to what bodies and under what procedures?
MAPA can only reject a license if there is a legal provision. The applicant has the right to administratively refer to MAPA.
Eligibility of Importers to Apply for Licence
Q9. Are all persons, firms and institutions eligible to apply for licences: (If not, is there a system of registration of persons or firms permitted to engage in importation? What persons or firms are eligible? Is there a registration fee? Is there a published list of authorized importers?) a) under restrictive licensing systems? b) under non-restrictive systems?
Only legal persons are eligible to apply for licenses. All legal entities are eligible to apply for the license, but for some product registration is required with MAPA.
There is an importer establishment record for some products. The registration of the establishment authorized to import may be published in a specific system or in the Federal Official Gazette of Brazil.
Documentational and Other Requirements for Application for Licence
Q10. What information is required in applications? Submit a sample form. What documents is the importer required to supply with the application?
The specific documentation is provided for in the Annex to Normative Instruction No. 39 of 27 November 2017 available at https://www.gov.br/agricultura/pt-br/assuntos/insumos-agropecuarios/insumos-pecuarios/produtos-veterinarios/legislacao-1/instrucoes-normativas/instrucao-normativa-sda-mapa-no-39-de-27-11-2017.pdf/view
Q11. What documents are required upon actual importation?
The specific documentation is provided for in the Annex to Normative Instruction No. 39 of 27 November 2017.
Q12. Is there any licensing fee or administrative charge? If so, what is the amount of the fee or charge?
There is no licensing fee. For some plant-derived products that have national classification standard, a fee is required for importing the product.
Q13. Is there any deposit or advance payment requirement associated with the issue of licences? If so, state the amount or rate, whether it is refundable, the period of retention and the purpose of the requirement.
No deposit or advance payment is required.
Conditions of Licensing
Q14. What is the period of validity of a licence? Can the validity of a licence be extended? How?
SISCOMEX Standard Term.
Q15. Is there any penalty for the non-utilization of a licence or a portion of a licence?
No.
Q16. Are licences transferable between importers? If so, are any limitations or conditions attached to such transfer?
No.
Q17. Are any other conditions attached to the issue of a licence? a) for products subject to quantitative restriction? b) for products not subject to quantitative restriction?
No, there are the conditions normally required by the SISCOMEX.
Other Procedural Requirements
Q18. Are there any other administrative procedures, apart from import licensing and similar administrative procedures, required prior to importation?
For some agricultural products, in addition to licensing, MAPA may require some administrative procedures prior to importation, such as: pests risk analysis, export establishment qualification, product registration, importer establishment registration.