The reduction in the additional freight for merchant marine renewal rate for long haul and cabotage navigation could result in cost savings on imports. Taxpayers should consider adjusting their instructive documents to reflect the new rates.

On March 25, 2022, Brazil enacted the Cabotage Transport Stimulus Program, which modifies the additional freight for the merchant marine renewal (AFRMM) rate.

Background

The AFRMM, enacted in 1987, is an addition to the freight rate charged by Brazilian and foreign shipping companies operating in Brazilian ports. It supports the development of the merchant marine and the Brazilian shipbuilding and repair industry, which also is a basic source of the Merchant Marine Fund. The AFRMM is a flat rate of 25% of the international freight value for long haul and a flat rate of 10% for cabotage navigation

Cabotage Transport Stimulus Program

The Cabotage Transport Stimulus Program is intended to improve the quality of cabotage transport, stimulate the development of the Brazilian cabotage naval industry and use the AFRMM collection to optimize the resources available for cabotage transport.

The table below summarizes the AFRMM rate changes:

The decrease from 25% for long haul navigation and 10% for cabotage navigation to 8% reduces the cost of imports that come in through ports. The freight rate, however, has increased over the past two years.

Because the new rates only apply from March 25, 2022 onwards, taxpayers that applied the reduced rates before that date must pay the difference between the old rates and the new rates.

Taxpayers that have imports coming into Brazil should consider adjusting their instructive documents to take into account the new rates. The new rates also will factor into the customs declarations and the calculation of the state tax, as the AFRMM is taken into account in calculating that tax. As a result, taxpayers that import high volumes of cargo might see a significant import cost reduction.

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