Documentation for cruisers entering and exiting Brazil:

With a few exceptions, all Brazilian main ports are points of entry and exit of Brazil by boat.

Prior Visa upon arrival is necessary for citizens of countries that also require visa for Brazilians visitors to that country.

Upon arrival, each foreigner will receive a 90 days visa, with exception of the foreigners that had to request a visa prior to their arrival. In that case, their visa will regulate the time for permanency.  The visas can be extended for another 90 days, so the maximum time that a foreign can remain in the Brazilian territory is 180 days. After that, the foreign has to exit to another country and can return right next, so, an option for the ones that want to stay longer is to make a trip to Iguaçu Falls, in the corner of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay, so they can enjoy the beautiful sceneries of those falls, and while they visit the Argentina and Paraguay side, they can return to Brazil for another 90+90 stay.

Each extension of additional 90 days must be done 15 days prior to the expiration date of the current visa, at an office of the Brazilian Federal Police (Policia Federal).

A foreign boat can stay in Brazil for a period of 2 years.

The proper attire when visiting Brazilian Authorities is long pants and shirt. Short pants and TShirts may not be accepted. 

The procedure to do the entry in Brazil is as follows:

Before heading to an anchorage area, you must fly (Starboard) the Q Flag (Yellow) to inform anyone looking at your boat that there is not yet proper local documentation finalized. The Q Flag must be up until any and all required documentation is finalized and available. The Q Flag can be lowered after the boat and crew are registered as per defined procedures. You shall not leave the boat while the Q Flag is up, unless if authorized by local authorities. If in an medical or safety emergency, ask permission for the Marina Manager or local authority available.

Covid-19: This site will maintain an up to date require procedure for treating with the Covid-19 pandemic. If the time-frame since leaving last port is equal or greater the required quarantine period, the crew may be released from that requirement, upon local authorities discretion. The local authorities may require a Covid-19 test, if one not available with less then 72h.

1. Starts with a visit to the Federal Police Maritima (NEPON) to fill up the form Foreigner Entry/Exit Card (Cartão de Entrada e Saida de Visitante).  

The documents required for NEPON are:

a)      Boat Registry Certificate

b)      Valid Passports for all crew

c)       Exit Clearance from last port

The documents produced at NEPON are:

a)      Entry/Exit Card stamped with the arrival date

b)      Stamped Passports

c)       Entry Clearance (Passe de Entrada)

2.       The next step is to visit the Customs Office (Receita Federal – Alfandega).

The documents required for Alfandega are:

d)      Boat Registry Certificate

e)      Entry/Exit Card stamped with the arrival date (Issued by NEPOM)

f)       Stamped Passports  for all crew (Stamped by NEPOM)

g)      Exit Clearance from last port (Issued by NEPOM)

The documents produced at Alfandega are:

d)      Import Declaration (DSI)

e)      Custom Visit Declaration (TVA)

f)       Liability Agreement (Termo de Responsabilidade)

Now you can lower the Q Flag.

3.       To finalize the entry to the country, a visit to the Port Authority (Capitania dos Portos).  

The documents required for Capitania dos Portos are:

h)      Boat Registry Certificate

i)        Entry/Exit Card stamped with the arrival date (Issued by NEPOM)

j)        Stamped Passports  for all crew (Stamped by NEPOM)

k)      Exit Clearance from last port (Issued by NEPOM)

g)      Import Declaration (DSI) (Issued at Alfandega)

h)      Custom Visit Declaration (TVA) (Issued at Alfandega)

l)        Liability Agreement (Termo de Responsabilidade) (Issued at Alfandega)

The documents produced at Capitania dos Portos are:

i)        Boat Entry/Exit Declaration (Only for first port entered)

The procedure to do the exit of Brazil is as follows:

4.       Starts with a visit to the Federal Police Maritima (NEPON).

The documents required for NEPON are:

m)    Boat Registry Certificate

n)      Stamped Passports for all crew

o)      Entry/Exit Card stamped with the arrival date (Issued by NEPOM upon arrival)

p)      Entry Clearance (Passe de Entrada) (Issued by NEPOM upon arrival)

The documents produced at NEPON are:

j)        Stamped Passports

k)      Exit Clearance (Passe de Saida)

5.       The next step is to visit the Customs Office (Receita Federal – Alfandega).

The documents required for Alfandega are:

q)      Exit Clearance  (Passe de Saida) (Issued by NEPOM)

r)       Liability Agreement (Termo de Responsabilidade) (Issued by Alfandega)

The documents produced at Alfandega are:

l)        Export Declaration (DSE)

m)    Custom Clearance (Passe de Saida)

6.       To finalize, a visit to the Port Authority (Capitania dos Portos).  

The documents required for Capitania dos Portos are:

s)       Exit Clearance from last port (Issued by NEPOM)

t)       Custom Clearance (Passe de Saida) (Issued by Alfandega)

The documents produced at Capitania dos Portos are:

n)      Boat Entry/Exit Declaration

These procedures can and may vary from one port to another, but the sequence is basically this one. Please carry a copy of these procedures in case some local authority requires some additional procedures not included here.

Every time the boat moves to a new port,  the Port Authority (Capitania dos Portos) needs to be informed by radio (CH 16 – Capitania).