WCO Smart Customs Project conducts study mission on Brazil Customs’ blockchain applications

From 30 June to 4 July 2025, the WCO Smart Customs Project, funded by the Customs Cooperation Fund of China, conducted a study mission to Rio de Janeiro focusing on Brazil Customs’ use of blockchain technology to share information on Authorized Economic Operators (AEOs) and to implement Mutual Recognition Arrangements/Agreements (MRAs) in Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) member countries.

The mission brought together over 30 participants, including senior officials from Brazil Customs such as Felipe Mendes Moraes (General Coordinator of the Customs Administration), Ronaldo Salles Feltrim Correa (Deputy Superintendent), and Sergio Garcia da Silva Alencar (Operational Coordinator for Customs). Representatives from the IT department, from service providers, from the Customs Law Committee of the State Bar Association (Order of Attorneys of Brazil - OAB) and from the Customs Administrations of Paraguay and Uruguay took part in person, with representatives from Argentina and Bolivia Customs participating remotely.

The study mission explored the rationale for selecting an AEO MRA as the initial application scenario for the development of the bConnect blockchain platform, while recognizing the potential to scale up the solution to other use cases, such as the exchange of information. In addition, the Smart Customs Project team took the opportunity to learn about Brazil Customs’ recent initiatives and proofs of concept leveraging cloud computing to accelerate the implementation and testing of innovative solutions. These initiatives include strategic measures to modernize Customs control and promote compliance among e-commerce platforms and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) agents for AEO certification, of an AI-based system to analyse X-ray images during Customs inspections and AI-driven passenger risk assessment, and of relationship analysis for fraud detection purposes. The Smart Customs Project team also conducted a field visit to Rio de Janeiro International Airport to observe the deployment of the passenger facial recognition system for Customs control.

The mission underscored Brazil Customs’ strong institutional commitment to innovation and regional cooperation in advancing technology-driven Customs modernization. Building on the outcomes of this mission, the Smart Customs Project will develop a Case Study Report and continue to explore WCO Members’ practice with respect to adopting disruptive technologies for Customs modernization and global collaboration.