If you’re shipping to Brazil then you need to be aware there are severe delays to parcels entering the country and clearing customs.
Operation Crimson Tide
eBay have advised that in addition an ongoing customs operation has resulted in longer-than-usual delivery times for imports entering Brazil. Transworld reports that this is the effect of “Operation Crimson Tide”. More rigorous customs checks are taking place over a three month period but the authorities have not invested in more staff or equipment to cope with the increased workload.
Strikes
Following Crimson Tide, Inchcape Shipping Services advises that strikes by Brazilian customs officers are disrupting major ports and that the clearance of imported goods has slowed significantly. The company reports that unless this week’s negotiations with the government around better salaries and working conditions are successful, interruption to vessel movements is likely to intensify.
Customs’ leaders have now warned that if the negotiations taking place over the next few days are unsuccessful, they will start an undefined strike which will affect the whole country and paralyse Brazil including ports, airports and bonded warehouses.
Communication between buyers and sellers
If you’re shipping to Brazil it’s worth advising them there are likely to be delays in receipt of their purchases. eBay say that they will be contacting buyers and sellers impacted by this to inform them of this situation, as well as recommending next steps and asking buyers to be patient and to bear the shipping issues in mind when leaving feedback.
