Customs clearance of beverages

Market Growth and the Importance of the Customs Process

The consumption of imported drinks in Brazil has grown consistently, driven by the appreciation of international brands, the variety of labels and the search for differentiated gastronomic experiences. As a result, more companies are looking to imports as a way of diversifying their portfolios and meeting an increasingly demanding demand. However, in order for these goods to arrive legally in the country, they have to face a technical challenge: the customs clearance of beverages.

This process involves much more than simply clearing the cargo. It is a strategic stage that requires attention to fiscal, health and documentary details. Any failure along the way could result in delays, fines or even the seizure of the product. That's why understanding how customs clearance of beverages is essential for any company that wants to import safely and regularly.

What Is Beverage Customs Clearance?

O customs clearance is the formal procedure that releases imported beverages into Brazil, authorizing their legal circulation in national territory. This process is carried out by the Federal Revenue Service in conjunction with other regulatory bodies, such as Anvisa and the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply (MAPA), depending on the nature of the drink.

Simply put, the process begins when the goods arrive in the country and continues until the cargo is definitively released, allowing it to be transported, stored and then sold. However, this journey is made up of technical stages that require complete documentation, compliance with tax requirements, laboratory analysis and, often, physical inspection of the cargo.

Which Drinks Require Special Regulation?

All alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are subject to the customs clearance of beverages. This includes wines, spirits, beers, energy drinks, juices, teas, imported waters, among others.

Alcoholic beverages require extra attention because, in addition to the usual checks, they need to be monitored:

Registration with MAPA (for beverages of plant or animal origin)
Precise tax classification (NCM)
Certification of origin
Technical data sheet and composition report
Labeling according to Brazilian standards
Import declaration with tax and health data

Non-alcoholic drinks can also be analyzed by Anvisa, especially when they contain functional compounds, caffeine, vitamins or other ingredients with specific effects on the body.

Beverage Customs Clearance Steps

1. Enabling Siscomex and Radar

Before starting any import, the company needs to be qualified in the Siscomex system, with an active Radar registration. This enables access to the Federal Revenue Service environment where all customs declarations are made. Without this step, the operation cannot even begin.

2. Correct tax classification

One of the most critical points of the customs clearance of beverages is the correct tax classification (NCM) of the product. This classification defines the applicable taxes, health requirements and special regimes. Any mistake can lead to fines and delays.

For example, wines and sparkling wines have different classifications from spirits or beers, and each has different IPI, PIS and Cofins rates. In addition, products with added special ingredients may fall into more restricted categories, requiring complementary reports.

3. Technical and health documentation

In order to release the cargo, a series of documents must be presented to the Receita Federal and the consenting bodies:

Commercial invoice
Packing list
Bill of lading
Certificate of origin
Product data sheet
Laboratory reports (when required)
Label with Portuguese translation
Registration with MAPA or Anvisa, as appropriate

The documentation must be accurate and consistent with the goods shipped. Inconsistencies are common reasons for requirements or withholdings in the shipping process. customs clearance of beverages.

4. Import Licensing

Some drinks require prior licensing even before they are shipped to the country of origin. The LI (Import License) must be requested on Siscomex and approved by the competent body, such as MAPA. Failure to comply with this stage can make it impossible for the cargo to enter Brazil.

5. Customs Conference

When cargo arrives in Brazil, it goes through a channeling process. It can be directed to the green channel (immediate release), yellow channel (documentary analysis), red channel (documentary and physical analysis) or gray channel (more detailed investigation, usually on suspicion of fraud).

Products such as alcoholic beverages are often directed to the yellow or red channels, requiring special attention on the part of the importer to speed up clearance.

6. Payment of taxes

O customs clearance of beverages involves paying a series of taxes, which vary according to the type of drink and its tax classification. Among the main ones are:

Import Tax (II)
Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI)
PIS and Cofins
ICMS (state)
Customs fees

Planning these costs is essential to guarantee the profitability of the operation and avoid financial surprises.

Risks of Poor Clearance

Importing drinks without proper technical preparation can cause a lot of damage:

Delays in release
Fines for incorrect classification
Loss of shelf life during processing
Prolonged and costly storage in bonded warehouses
Return of cargo to the country of origin
Inability to sell the product on the Brazilian market

Avoiding these risks requires preparation, experience and mastery of legal requirements.

The Importance of Relying on a Specialized Import and Export Company

To ensure that customs clearance of beverages in a safe, agile and legally compliant manner, having a import-export company is an indispensable differentiator. This company takes care of documentation, advises on tax and health requirements, organizes licensing, monitors the plumbing process and ensures that all stages are completed without errors.

In addition, it acts preventively, reducing risks, optimizing costs and speeding up the time between the goods being unloaded and their arrival at the points of sale.