The Brazilian Federal Revenue and Customs Secretariat intends to keep intense control in the border of Brazil and Paraguay after the new purchasing quota – of US$ 300 – starts to be applied.
The Secretariat officer, Gilberto Tragancin, remembers that the quota was altered to primarily benefit tourists.
The Federal Revenue and Customs Secretariat will “increase inspection in the Ponte da Amizade (Friendship Bridge) to prevent the entrance in Brazil of products that could be commercialized without the payment of taxes”, says the officer.
The new quota will be in effect April 15th. In the meantime, the purchasing quota is still limited to US$ 150.
In Ciudad del Este, control is still intense and is already damaging the business of Foz do Iguaçu, in the Brazilian side.
The Paraguayans are making fewer purchases at Foz do Iguaçu. Paraguayan Navy inspects all vehicles that cross the bridge, looking for smuggled products.
The situation of Brazilians who work in the neighboring country, without proper documentation, remains the same.
The ones that still insist on crossing the border are held, have to fill up a registration form, and after waiting hours, are escorted back to Brazil.
The ones with Paraguayan documents are set free, but, in order to keep their jobs, have thirty days to prove they really live in Ciudad del Este.
Translation: Andréa Alves
Agência Brasil