Experience ordering parts to Brazil?

[SwedishRider]

Just wanted to check if anyone has experience with the Brazilian customs (Receita Federal)? I'm cruising around South America and just after my KTM 640 Adv done 42000 km the bearing on the rocker arm broke. That meant that I needed to order new rocker arms and cam. They didn't have it all in Brazil so had to get one rocker arm and the cam from US. That was no problem. The problem is that it takes alot of time for it to arrive. The tracking info says that it arrived in Brazil September 25th but has not reached its final destination. I assume that it is stuck in customs. If anyone else have similar problems, time estimates or solutions then I would be keen to hear about it.

I'm shipping with USPS transferring to domestic mail. I already shipped from Sao Paulo with domestic mail and that works extremely well (first rocker arm arriving within 12 hours).

The shipper is experienced shipping to South America and put a low value on the package. He shipped to Lima in 5 days...I've been waiting a month now.

Cheers from Sao Luis,
Johan

[Laser Jock]

Hey Buddy !!

I warned you about those bladdy KTMs ;-)

You might try contacting this guy m.gomes@mrmfreight.com.br he works for a import/export house in Rio and helped me ship my bike back to the US (a Herculean task).

A month !!! That's long enough to significantly impact the genetic make up of a substantial part of Brazil's population.

These are the times that test the long distance's rider soul..

Hang in there !

[SwedishRider]

Thanks for the tip and yeah for travelling South America a Honda would probably been better...at least part wise.

Luckily there are worse parts of the world to break down in and if future riders encounter a large portion of blue eyed Brazilians around Sao Luis in the future this is the reason why

[marker]

when it is that lomg at the Receita that most likely means they are pondering on what they can charge you. They pick at random parcels they think there is something of value in it. If you are among the unlucky ones you will some day get a note from the mailman that you must go to the postoffice and pay importduties there before they hand over your needed parts. Unfortunately importduties are high in Brazil. Here in the south, Santa Catarina I have to pay about 60 % of federal taxes plus 35% state taxes... You can try to complain at the Receita Federal but be prepared for lots of opportunities for more future blue eyed offsprings

[SwedishRider]

Thanks Marker,
that 60% + 35% sounds very close to what I heard here as well. Prices on parts seems to be about twice the US price. I paid 430 Reals ($280) for my intake rocker arm and USD $150 for my exhaust. But then there is the exchange rate that fluctuates quite a bit as well. Between August and October the USD - Real rate has changed between 1.56 to 2.4 (!).

However, I got lucky in the end!! The package arrived two days ago with no notice to go to the post office. The contents were declared to have the value $60 and the freight $55 but Receita just wanted to scratch their head for a while it appears. Below is the tracking info for sending things with USPS and Brazilian postal service. It might cure any pain incurred by fast but expensive DHL / UPS fees:

• Delivered Abroad, October 10, 2008, 6:19 pm, BRAZIL
• Arrived Abroad, September 25, 2008, 4:03 am, BRAZIL
• International Dispatch, September 18, 2008, 4:25 pm, LOS ANGELES
• Electronic Shipping Info Received, September 15, 2008

[marker]

Excellent, you have been lucky.
Still boring for you and other travellers in Brazil they have to wait so long for their parcels to arrive. Bloody bureaucracy. Enjoy the rest of your trip and Boa Viagem! Cheers, Marcel

[FREE SPIRIT]

Originally Posted by marker

when it is that lomg at the Receita that most likely means they are pondering on what they can charge you. They pick at random parcels they think there is something of value in it. If you are among the unlucky ones you will some day get a note from the mailman that you must go to the postoffice and pay importduties there before they hand over your needed parts. Unfortunately importduties are high in Brazil. Here in the south, Santa Catarina I have to pay about 60 % of federal taxes plus 35% state taxes... You can try to complain at the Receita Federal but be prepared for lots of opportunities for more future blue eyed offsprings

Hi Marker!

I have been waiting for a fuel pump for 5 weeks now. It is finally at the post office but they wont give it to me without paying $550 Reis duty. I have been told by the post office that I can fill out a form or go and try for an excemption. The problem is that they cant give me a form and the receita federal is 2hs away, and not speaking portuguesse adds to the complication.

Have you had any experience with this? If I was to pay it any chance to claim it back later?

Cheers

[marker]

Unfortunately my experience is that I paid and never got the money back......