Customs

Donations

In accordance with Brazilian laws and regulations, goods donated by institutions, organizations or individuals to a NON-PROFIT and legally operating Brazilian educational institution or an organization dedicated to public welfare are exempt of the payment of custom duties. It should be noted that in order to be considered a donation, it must be an outright gift.

The Embassy will only legalize letters of donation for goods worth US$ 1,000.00 or more.

The following procedure applies to donations:

1. A letter, typed on your organization's letterhead or, in the case of individuals, just typed, in triplicate, as per the sample given below.

2. The value of each individual good must be declared for customs purpose only.

3. The original and all copies must be signed, since the photocopies of signatures are not accepted. Also, the name of the individual donor or of the institution's legally responsible person must be typed in full, without any abbreviations, and the full title typed below the signature.

4. Each one of three originals must be duly notarized showing the Notary's rubber stamp and embossed dry seal.

5. The goods being donated must be supplied free of any charges.

6. Donations can only be given to Brazilian institutions, NOT INDIVIDUALS.

7. After consularization of the document, the donor will receive the original document and one copy duly authenticated.

8. Upon receipt of the documents, the original must be sent to the recipient of the donation in Brazil. The donor should also attach a copy of the authenticated donation to the Bill of Lading or to the Airway Bill.

9. The Fiscal Identification Number (CGC) of the recipient institution must be clearly stated in the letter of donation.

In order to facilitate the donor's work, a sample of the letter to be sent to the Embassy is given below:

(printed letterhead) Date:

DONATION

This is to certify, for customs purpose only, that the shipment number _______ consisting of (specify if cartons, units, barrels, bails, packages, etc.) of (describe the goods), valued at $_____ (in writing) is a donation from (name of the donor: company/individual), and is supplied free of any charges. The freight has been paid in Canada and there is no foreign exchange involved.
The shipment is consigned to:

full name
address in Brazil
CGC number

Yours,

Signature
Type full name/title

Notary Public
Dry seal and Rubber Stamp

Please note: under no circumstances can donated goods be transported as accompanied baggage.