Key Documentation for Importing Oil & Gas Equipment into Brazil

Commercial Invoice
A detailed invoice outlining the transaction, including buyer/seller information, a full description of the oil and gas equipment, quantities, and declared value in the relevant currency.

Bill of Lading (BOL)
A legal transport document between the shipper and carrier specifying the type, quantity, and final destination of the oilfield equipment.

Packing List
An itemized list of all cargo, including equipment descriptions, packaging details, dimensions, and gross/net weights — essential for Brazilian customs clearance.

Certificate of Origin
Certifies the country of manufacture. This may be required to benefit from Brazil’s trade agreements and apply for tariff reductions under MERCOSUR or other preferential programs.

Import License (Licença de Importação)
Certain oil and gas machinery (especially pressurized or large-capacity equipment) may require prior approval from the Brazilian government, often via the SISCOMEX system.

Customs Declaration (Declaração de Importação)
A formal submission to the Brazilian Federal Revenue (Receita Federal) through the SISCOMEX platform, detailing the goods, classification, and value for customs processing.

Technical Documentation
Product manuals, engineering drawings, safety certifications, and specification sheets are required for regulatory compliance, safety inspections, and ANP or INMETRO validation when applicable.

Insurance Certificate
Proof of cargo insurance covering the equipment during international transport, often required by Brazilian import regulations and financial institutions.

Harmonized System (HS) Codes / NCM Codes
Correct classification under the NCM (Nomenclatura Comum do Mercosul) system is essential for determining import duties, IPI, ICMS, and PIS/COFINS taxes, and for proper regulatory treatment.

Pro-forma Invoice
Used for budgeting, licensing, and preliminary customs preparations before the issuance of a formal commercial invoice.

Environmental and Safety Certifications
Documentation proving compliance with Brazil’s environmental laws and industrial safety standards — especially for equipment used in drilling, refining, and petrochemical processing (may include IBAMA and ANP regulations).

Letter of Credit or Payment Terms Agreement
Financial instruments or agreements detailing the payment structure, often required for customs release or import financing by Brazilian banks.

Import Duties and Taxes Payment Proof
Evidence of payment for all applicable duties and taxes, which may include II (Import Duty), IPI (Industrialized Product Tax), ICMS (State VAT), PIS/COFINS, and other sector-specific levies.

---

Compliance and Regulatory Requirements for Oil & Gas Equipment Imports into Brazil

Registration with Receita Federal and SISCOMEX
Importers must be registered with the Brazilian Federal Revenue (Receita Federal) and obtain access credentials to SISCOMEX, the national foreign trade system.

Valid CNPJ (Cadastro Nacional da Pessoa Jurídica)
A Brazilian company importing goods must have a valid CNPJ number (Brazilian tax ID) to legally participate in customs operations.

Compliance with Brazilian Technical Standards (ABNT & INMETRO)
All imported oil and gas equipment must comply with ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) and, if applicable, INMETRO certification requirements — covering safety, emissions, pressure equipment, and energy efficiency.

Approval from ANP (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis)
Depending on the equipment and its use in Brazil’s regulated oil and gas industry, authorization from ANP may be required for import or operation.

Engage with a Licensed Customs Broker (Despachante Aduaneiro)
Due to Brazil’s complex import regulations, it is highly recommended to work with a licensed Despachante Aduaneiro experienced in the oil and gas sector to ensure full compliance and prevent delays or penalties.

Commercial Invoice (for Oil & Gas Equipment) – Brazil

Exporter Information

• Name and Address: Full legal name and registered address of the oilfield equipment supplier/exporter.

• Contact Details: Phone number, email, and fax (if applicable).

Importer Information

• Name and Address: Legal name and registered location of the oil & gas company or buyer in Brazil.

• Contact Details: Email and phone for local coordination.

Invoice Number and Date

• Invoice Number: Unique reference number for tracking and recordkeeping.

• Date of Issue: Date the invoice was generated.

Purchase Order Number

• Reference Number: Buyer’s purchase order number, if issued, for internal tracking.

Description of Goods

• Detailed Description: Include part numbers, model numbers, serial numbers, pressure ratings, power specifications, and oil & gas application (e.g., drilling, refining, gas compression).

• HS/NCM Codes: Accurate NCM (Mercosur Common Nomenclature) codes (e.g., 8431.43 for drilling equipment parts).

Quantity and Unit of Measure

• Quantity: Number of units per item.

• Unit: E.g., units, kilograms, meters, barrels.

Unit Price and Total Price

• Unit Price: Per-unit cost.

• Total Price: Total per line item and overall invoice total.

Currency

• Type: USD, EUR, or BRL, clearly specified.

Terms of Sale (Incoterms)

• Example: CIF Santos, FOB Houston — defining responsibility for costs and risk transfer.

Shipping and Delivery Info

• Port of Loading/Destination: E.g., Houston → Port of Santos, or Vancouver → Port of Rio de Janeiro.

• Estimated Shipping Date: Anticipated departure date.

Payment Terms

• Method: Letter of Credit (L/C), Telegraphic Transfer (TT), Net-30, etc.

Signature

• Authorized Representative: Signature and printed name of the exporter’s representative.

---

Bill of Lading (BOL) for Oil & Gas Equipment – Brazil

Shipper Information

• Full name and address of exporter or freight forwarder.

Consignee Information

• Legal name and address of the Brazilian buyer or their customs broker.

Carrier Information

• Name: Shipping line or logistics provider.

• Vessel Details: Include vessel name and voyage number.

Description of Goods

• Use specific terms like “mud pumps,” “subsea manifolds,” “gas turbines,” “compressors,” etc., matching the commercial invoice.

Gross Weight and Dimensions

• Exact total weight and dimensions (CBM) per cargo unit.

Freight Charges

• Terms: Indicate prepaid or collect, and who is financially responsible.

BOL Number

• Unique tracking reference.

Date of Shipment

• Date equipment was loaded onboard.

Terms and Conditions

• Mention standard shipping conventions (e.g., Hague-Visby Rules, Brazilian Maritime Law) and liability clauses.

---

Packing List (Specific to Oil & Gas Equipment)

Exporter and Consignee

• Complete contact details aligned with the invoice and BOL.

Shipment Details

• Invoice Number and BOL Reference

• Shipment Date

Itemized Contents

• Technical descriptions, part numbers, intended use

• Packaging form: crates, skids, drums, custom-built steel containers

Package Identification

• Markings: e.g., SKID 1/4, BOX A — consistent across documents

Total Weight and Volume

• Gross and net weights

• Cubic meters (CBM) for all packages

---

Certificate of Origin (Oil & Gas Equipment – Brazil)

Exporter and Consignee

• Contact details of both exporter and Brazilian importer.

Goods Description

• Product names, NCM codes, and industrial use (e.g., offshore drilling, LNG compression).

Origin Criterion

• Statement confirming origin (e.g., “Manufactured in the United States”).

Certification

• Signature and official stamp from a Chamber of Commerce or Trade Association.

---

Key Considerations for Oil & Gas Imports into Brazil

Technical Accuracy
Ensure item descriptions match engineering specs and manuals — especially for customs classification, INMETRO certification, and ANP approval.

Regulatory Compliance
Imported machinery may be subject to oversight by Brazilian agencies, including:

• ANP (Agência Nacional do Petróleo, Gás Natural e Biocombustíveis)

• IBAMA (Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais Renováveis)

• INMETRO (National Institute of Metrology, Quality and Technology)

• ABNT (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards)

Language Requirements
Portuguese documentation may be required for customs declarations, user manuals, MSDS sheets, and compliance reviews.

Work with Experts
Collaborate with a certified Despachante Aduaneiro (customs broker) experienced in Brazil’s oil and gas sector for:

• SISCOMEX entries

• CNPJ verification

• Tax classification (II, IPI, ICMS, PIS/COFINS)

• Import licensing (Licença de Importação)

• INMETRO & ANP approvals