By Maria Luiza de Sousa Mattos | Marimex Communications and Marketing Team
According to 2023 data from the platform The Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), Brazil ranks 25th among the world's largest importing countries. To climb the ranks and stand out globally in terms of technology and customs efficiency, the Federal Government implemented the New Import Process (NPI). In addition to simplifying the import flow, the NPI also aims to increase efficiency and ensure compliance with international standards. This change is crucial for companies in the sector, which must gradually migrate to the new Single Foreign Trade Portal, just as Marimex is adapting, and replace Siscomex — a pioneering system that no longer meets the demands of the current era.
What is the NPI?
The New Import Process (NPI) is a regulatory initiative aimed at ensuring greater transparency, streamlining procedures, and reducing bureaucracy related to international standards and public interventions. The objective is to integrate foreign trade operators by restructuring processes. Among the significant changes implemented by the NPI are innovations in the modules of the new Single Import Declaration (DUIMP) and the Licenses, Permits, Certificates, and Other Documents (LPCO) module, which optimize import stages.
As this change is happening gradually, there is a detailed standard schedule for companies, ensuring everything proceeds properly within the period stipulated by the Federal Government. This schedule serves to gradually deactivate the old system (Siscomex LI/DI) and replace it with the new Single Import Declaration (DUIMP) on the Single Foreign Trade Portal.
Before the NPI project, one of the biggest challenges in importing goods into the country was bureaucratic complexity, involving a range of documents and rework caused by repeatedly entering the same information into different systems. The Single Portal was created to simplify this process, centralizing all data in one place. As its stages are implemented, the benefits for users become tangible, allowing for the coordination and monitoring of activities, as well as administrative, customs, and tax control in a single environment.
With facilitated system integration, operators gain greater control over process data, enabling them to generate reports, analyze Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and utilize automations to optimize their operations, reducing costs and accelerating procedures.
Key Changes in the NPI
During the transition period, it is recommended that all companies and importers review their processes and adjust their practices to align with the new requirements. The most notable procedural changes are:
1. Updated Documentary Requirements: The NPI introduces new document formats that must be presented and adhered to during the import process, thereby ensuring compliance;
2. Registration and Approval Procedures: The registration and approval stages will undergo adjustments, impacting processing times and necessary verifications;
3. Technology and Automation: With the adoption of new technologies, the import process will become more automated, increasing data analysis accuracy and efficiency.
All necessary information for adapting to the NPI can be found on the Federal Government's website.
Marimex and the New Import Process
Marimex has a specialized team to support its clients during the transition to the New Import Process (NPI). By offering a complete service for managing and updating the Product Catalog, the company ensures that all stages of the change are conducted efficiently, minimizing risks and guaranteeing compliance with the new requirements. Below are some of the services offered to support clients during this phase:
- Data Organization and Cleansing: Analysis and mapping of your company's needs to identify priorities and correct existing data;
- Personalized Consulting: Marimex's team of experts is always on hand to provide specific guidance on how to adapt your processes to the new NPI regulations, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Catalog Updates: Structuring and updating the client's Product Catalog with the Federal Revenue's Single Portal, ensuring compliance with the new NPI requirements according to needs.
- Integration with Management Systems: Support for integrating the catalog with your management systems, ensuring a more efficient workflow and mitigating error risks.
The New Import Process offers numerous opportunities to optimize customs operations. With the right partnership, such as Marimex, companies can not only best adapt to the new requirements but also improve their operational results.
