2006General Discussion forum
Importing camera equipment to Brazil for production work
20 years old. Gear and prices may have changed since.
What the thread found
- Obtaining a carnet for equipment import to Brazil requires approximately three months of paperwork and coordination with the embassy, including documentation of serial numbers and proof of a work visa.
- Brazilian customs is primarily concerned with preventing equipment sales, as import taxes on electronics are very high; demonstrating that gear will not be sold can help clear customs.
- Brazil does not accept ATA Carnets and does not recognize the Corporation for International Business, making standard international carnet procedures ineffective.
- Renting equipment locally in Brazil may be more cost-effective and practical than attempting to import gear through customs.
- Having a local production company handle equipment logistics and import services can resolve visa and customs documentation issues more efficiently than attempting to manage it independently.
- Documentation from the production company in Portuguese may facilitate customs communication.
Depends on
- Information is based on experiences from 2004-2006 and may not reflect current customs practices.
- Individual experiences varied; some travelers reported no customs issues while others faced significant obstacles.
- ATA Carnet acceptance policies may have changed since the discussion date.
- Success appears dependent on specific circumstances and local production company involvement.