Sending samples and showcasing products in Brazil Brazil Business

Getting your products in the hands of potential
distributors, resellers or even buyers in Brazil is an effective
way to prove the quality of the product and ensure that they meet
the buyer’s expectations. We will discuss in this article how to
get your samples to your clients in Brazil.

Even though Brazilians are beginning to gain confidence in
ordering products online and via catalogues, there is no shadow of
a doubt that most Brazilians that work in procurement departments
still prefer to assess the quality of the products through samples.
As opposed to pictures and products specifications, samples may be
the crucial part of the sales process.

The habit of visiting
trade shows^[1] for closer contact with
suppliers and the line of products offered or even site visits to
the manufacturing facilities abroad is slowly being left behind as
companies are desperately cutting costs. For the suppliers there
are not many alternatives and most end up resorting to the
cumbersome practice of importing samples, on a one-to-one
basis.

Importing samples to Brazil

Unfortunately, any import process to Brazil is rather
bureaucratic, but samples with no commercial value are often
eligible to the simplified import process^[2], as long as the total
value of the imported goods does not exceed USD 3.000 and they do
not need an import license. However, the word simplified should not
be misunderstood as hassle free – the importer will still need to
complete a simplified import declaration form, known as DSI, and
submit all remaining import documentation, but the registration
with SISCOMEX and the use of a broker to perform the clearance is
not required.

Samples are often sent using courier services, which allows the
sender to be responsible for the payment of all local taxes,
otherwise the recipient will have the pay the fees related to the
import, which is 60% of the customs value plus ICMS^[3]
if applicable. The ICMS will apply depending on the state where the
sample is delivered.

In cases where products require environmental, sanitary, safety
or other types of inspections or verifications from local
authorities^[4], your samples will only
be cleared upon the approval of the corresponding authority. The
authorities that are commonly involved in the entry of imports of
goods to Brazil are ANVISA^[5], IBAMA^[6], MAPA, ANATEL and
Inmetro^[7].

When speaking about samples, one of the main concerns from the
sender is not only the paperwork needed, but also to make sure that
it reaches the buyer in a reasonable amount of time. As the custom
clearance process can take anything from a few days to several
weeks, and in worst cases even months, should the product require
inspection by local authorities, the time component becomes rather
critical.

Importing samples above USD 3000

Samples with a total value above USD 3000 can no longer benefit
from the simplified import process. This means that the recipient
of the samples must hire a custom broker or have a RADAR^[8]
license, which would allow them to handle the importing process
themselves.

The RADAR license is necessary to access the SISCOMEX system to
obtain both the import
declaration^[9], known as DI, and the
import
license^[10] if the samples are
required to have a license. Most import operations in Brazil are
exempt from licensing, however for some products, it is necessary
to obtain an automatic or non-automatic import license, called LI.
Automatic import licenses are the most common ones.

If the product does not require an import license, the importer
must authorise the embarking of the goods and when the customs
clearance process starts, upon arrival in Brazil, the importer must
present the DI issued through SISCOMEX.

This process is far more complex and can be rather inconvenient
if the buyer is not familiar with the import process as it requires
more engagement from the recipient’s end.

Storing and showcasing your samples in Brazil

A simple solution to overcome these issues is offered by a
company based in Campinas called Space Samples^[11]. The company offers a
unique shared showroom service which handles the import process for
any type of samples on behalf of the supplier, and stores them at
their facilities. Their services also includes logistics within
Brazil, allowing a streamlined process in case samples need to be
shipped to another part of the country.

Space Samples^[12] have meeting rooms and
video conference rooms which can be used by the suppliers to invite
potential prospects to evaluate the samples. They also have the
capability to create a customised
showroom^[13] built upon their
clients design and specifications to create a full immersive
experience for your prospects.

Another differential of Space Samples^[14] is that they will make
sure your samples are always presented in a proper manner, which
means that they will keep them clean, change batteries, top fluids
and whatever else you would do to best present it to your potential
client.