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IBAMA strike directly impacts the import of cars from major brands such as BYD, Mercedes, VW and more! IBAMA strike has lasted three months.
A strike by workers at the Brazilian Institute of the Environment (Ibama) started in January and, since then, has left part of the industry with its hands tied, mainly in relation to car imports. According to media information, in just over two months, more than 30 thousand vehicles have been parked in yards due to the IBAMA strike. The vehicles are awaiting environmental clearances issued by the agency.
Lots of imported cars can only officially enter the country and be sold after the agency approves the environmental licenses, ensuring that the vehicles comply with the country's emissions rules.
Vehicles that arrive in Brazil on ships are stopped at ports due to the IBAMA strike, while those that enter through the land border, such as those manufactured in Argentina and Uruguay, depend on Ibama's approval to proceed.
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Strike already affects BYD, Toyota, KIA and Mercedes
The IBAMA strike mainly affects the import of cars from brands that do not produce in Brazil, such as BYD, Volvo, GWM, Kia and Mercedes.
Some dealerships already have low stocks. A Peugeot dealer reported the Argentine 208 missing. According to the store owner, he normally has around 100 cars in the dealership's stock. It currently only has 10.
Another brand that is experiencing supply problems due to the shutdown is Volkswagen. Taos, produced in Argentina, is at risk of shortages in some stores. A Toyota, which produces the Hilux in the neighboring country, depends on approval to send the pickup to Guaíba (RS), where assembly is completed. Now, the media has reported that the retention of pickup trucks is impacting local suppliers.
IBAMA strike also affects imports of electric cars
The strike has lasted three months, with IBAMA employees demanding new career plans, salary increases and working conditions.
Last week, the Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Esther Dweck, presented a new proposal to workers. According to the agency's calculations, there are around 18 thousand electric cars parked in various yards and ports around the world, waiting for documentation for shipment to Brazil.
Importing cars from their countries of origin depends on the consent of the institute, which must issue an import license. This import license proves that IBAMA is aware of the entry of these new products into the country.
Companies can even assume the risk and ship models, however, if they are subjected to inspection upon arrival in Brazil, there is a risk of receiving high fines and impossibility of distribution.
Brazil suffers drop in car imports in January
According to Cleberson Zavaski, president of the National Association of Environmental Servers (Ascema), in practice, the current mode of operation impacts the logistics of the automotive sector.
What was released in 5 days can now be released in 30 days with the IBAMA stoppage. The 18 thousand electric and hybrid cars correspond to those that, until now, have been parked, without authorization to be imported.
This number tends to increase over time. According to Guilherme Rosenthal, partner and co-founder of fintech Extra, which focuses on imports, Ibama has up to 60 days to carry out its legal procedures, which makes any type of action by importers impossible until this deadline is reached.
According to Rosenthal, the release time by Ibama has doubled, going from 10 to 20 days, and it is necessary to take into account the period for ships to travel to Brazil, especially those coming from China.
