Siscomex: how does Brazil's foreign trade system work and what is important for international carriers
What is it, to put it simply? Siscomex (Sistema Integrado de Comércio Exterior) is the brain of all Brazilian foreign trade. This is a single digital platform through which absolutely all operations take place: from the registration of the contract to the release of cargo from customs. It was launched back in the 90s to get rid of mountains of paper documents. In fact, this is a Brazilian single window where all participants in the process — importers, brokers, carriers and government agencies — exchange information.
For us logisticians, this is both a salvation and a headache at the same time. Salvation, because you don't have to run through ten different departments. It's a headache, because any mistake in this system can be very expensive. Let's see how this works in practice.
What does this system consist of? Modules and users
Siscomex is not a single website, but a whole ecosystem of different modules. Each for their own tasks.
- The main modules (Importação/Exportação).The main thing happens here is the filing of declarations. If you import to Brazil, your broker will work with the import declaration (DI, Declaração de Importação). A single DU-E declaration is used for export.
- Siscomex Carga.It is a specialized module for sea carriers. Through it, shipping lines and agents provide information about loading and unloading of ships, manifests. This increases transparency, but it also adds work.
- Siscomex Trânsito.A module for customs transit control. If your cargo goes through Brazil to a neighboring country, all movements will be tracked here.
Who uses this system at all? Yes, all. Starting from government agencies (customs, tax, Central Bank, Ministry of Agriculture) and ending with the private sector. Importers, exporters, brokers, warehouse operators and, of course, we are carriers. We appear in the system as a transportador and bear our share of responsibility.
How do I get into the system? The RADAR procedure
You can't just start customs clearance in Brazil. Any company that wants to engage in foreign trade must first obtain admission. This clearance is called a RADAR license (Registro de Qualificação no Registro Aduaneiro).
What is it? In fact, this is the accreditation of your company with the Brazilian Customs and Tax (RFB). You need to prove that you are a real, financially sound company. To do this, a whole package of documents is submitted: the charter, financial statements, and so on. Verification takes an average of 10-17 days. Only after obtaining RADAR approval and a tax number (CNPJ/CPF) do you gain access to Siscomex.
And that's not all. To log in, you need a Brazilian-made electronic digital signature (certificado digital). There's no way without her.
Documents and processes. What should I cook?
Brazil's entire logistics is built around documents that are submitted to Siscomex. And they are served in Portuguese.
- When importing.The main document is the Import Declaration (DI). Everything else is attached to it electronically: a commercial invoice, a bill of lading, and a packing list. If the product is subject to licensing (and this is almost all pharmaceuticals, food, chemicals), then the special license number (LI/LO) must be attached to the declaration. You need to receive it in advance.
- When exporting.Everything here revolves around the single Export declaration (DU-E). It is accompanied by a contract, waybills (CMR/TIR), certificates of origin.
Brazilians are now actively switching to a new platform, Portal Único (a Single Portal). This is, in fact, Siscomex 2.0. Since October 2024, a new single import document DUIMP has become mandatory for sea cargo. They say that it greatly simplifies life. For example, the number of fields in the declaration has been reduced from 98 to 38. According to government estimates, this should reduce the registration time by 4 days and save businesses about $8 billion a year. It sounds good, but while the system is running, there may be failures.
What is the carrier's role in this whole scheme?
And now the most important thing for us. A carrier is not just a cargo delivery. At Siscomex, we are a full-fledged participant in the process with specific responsibilities.
- Cargo manifest.All transport documents must be reflected in the system. If this is a road transport within the framework of Mercosur, then MIC/DTA forms are registered with Siscomex. The carrier must link its transport (vehicle number) with a specific export declaration. Without this, the cargo simply will not be accepted at the customs terminal.
- Work at Siscomex Carga.If you are a sea carrier, you are required to enter information about berths, loading and unloading of ships in this module. This is done for transparency. The port warehouse sees your data, you see it.
- Freight payment control.There is an interesting Pendência de Frete feature in Siscomex Carga. The carrier may note that the freight has not been paid. The warehouse will see this mark and will not deliver the cargo to the recipient until the debt is paid off. This is a good tool to protect against unscrupulous customers.
- Certification and guarantees.Your status as a carrier affects the transit conditions. For example, if you have an AEO Brazil certificate (equivalent to an authorized economic operator), the warranty requirements for transit through Siscomex Trânsito may be reduced or eliminated altogether. The system analyzes your reliability and calculates the percentage of guarantees itself.
Simply put, the carrier must be fully integrated into this integrated foreign trade system. You can't just arrive at the border with a paper invoice.
Practical tips and pitfalls
Working with Siscomex is a constant strain. The system is complex, and there are several points where even experienced logisticians are on fire.
- Language.Everything is in Portuguese. It's almost impossible to figure it out without a local broker or an employee who knows the language.
- Technical breaks.The system has a scheduled daily shutdown, usually at night from 1:00 to 3:00. If you plan to file a declaration at this time, nothing will work.
- Constant updates.Brazilian legislation changes frequently. New rules, new licenses, and the transition to a new portal. You need to constantly monitor the official Siscomex website in order not to miss an important change.
- The accuracy of the data.This is the main scourge. Incorrect product code (NCM), an error in the invoice date, a discrepancy in weight — any small thing can lead to customs stopping the clearance. And your shipment may be delayed for 60 days or more.
- Coordination.The carrier, broker and importer should work as a single mechanism. If the importer has not delivered the bill of lading to the broker on time, the broker will not be able to file the declaration. A simple one will begin, which everyone will have to pay for.
In conclusion
Siscomex is a complex but generally logical mechanism. It forces all participants, from the exporter to the carrier, to work in a single digital field and be as transparent as possible. Yes, it requires discipline, knowledge of the language and local rules. But ultimately, this is exactly the system that allows Brazil to handle huge volumes of foreign trade.
For anyone planning to import or export to Brazil, there is one conclusion: find a reliable local partner (broker) who lives inside this system and knows all its nuances. Trying to complete this quest alone is a very risky and almost always a failure. We continue to analyze such difficulties in our Telegram channel. Subscribe to keep up to date.
