Implemented in 35 public ports throughout Brazil, the Paperless Port Program is an informational system created by the National Secretariat of Ports (SNP) and the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) that aims to gather in a single virtual platform all information and documentation necessary to optimize the analysis and clearance of imported goods in Brazilian ports.

Following to International Maritime Organization-IMO guidelines, the new system acts as a one-stop-shop tool for port services, where the ship-owner or the navigation agency upload obligatory information to clear goods in a single database, permitting previous analysis by the port authority and supervising agencies.

Besides reducing the time spent in port clearance, the Paperless Port Program reduces the bureaucracy that dominated the sector for decades, one of the main causes that impacted Brazil’s foreign trade competitiveness. With the standardization of processes, costs have been reduced and supervising agencies such as ANVISA will be able to enhance their service level.

However, the Brazilian government has bolder plans. In September 2017, the program was tested and approved in two private terminals in Manaus Free Trade Zone. With the feedback given by port administrators, SNP plans to implement the new system in all private terminals until the end of 2018. This will standardize processes in the whole country through a single system, generating countless benefits for Brazil’s logistic infrastructure.

Before Paperless Port Program, ship-owners had to submit the necessary information to different supervising agencies in 112 paper forms.

Source: National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA)