Federal Revenue increases the number of products with fast and priority import 03/27/2020

The standard now provides for faster import procedures for some items, including:

• medicines used to combat coronavirus;
• COVID-19 test kits;
• automated DNA sequencers;
• in addition to equipment such as sterilizers;
• intubation devices;
• medical oxygen.

With the publication of the normative instruction in the “Diário Oficial da União” (DOU), the number of categories with faster clearance upon import increased to 91.

The previous week, the Federal Revenue Service had already announced an initial list of products that would have their customs clearance facilitated due to the new coronavirus pandemic crisis.

"These products will have faster customs processing, allowing delivery of the goods to the importer before the customs inspection is completed. Furthermore, import declarations involving these goods will receive priority treatment, both by the Federal Revenue Service units and by the depositary responsible for their custody," the agency explained.

With the new rule, the Federal Revenue Service reported that it seeks to maintain a "rapid flow" of goods, merchandise, and raw materials intended for combating the epidemic. The goal is to "avoid bottlenecks in customs areas by speeding up cargo delivery and enabling its economical use to strengthen the fight against the virus“.

According to the agency, the measure is consistent with the epidemic response plan developed by the Ministry of Health, which, in turn, has declared a Public Health Emergency of National Concern due to Human Infection by the novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV). It also aligns with the ordinance that regulates and operationalizes the law establishing measures to combat the pandemic.