The adoption of technology in foreign trade is no longer an option and is becoming a strategic necessity for Brazilian companies involved in import and export. With currency fluctuations, regulatory changes, and strict documentary requirements, digital tools have proven to be allies in the pursuit of efficiency, security, and speed.
“When it comes to foreign trade, the cost of mistakes is high. Incorrect data on an invoice or a misclassified tax code can result in fines, cargo holds, and contract breaches,” says Thiago Oliveira, CEO of Saygo, a holding company specialized in international operations. According to him, digitalization enables the transformation of manual processes into automated workflows, with greater control and predictability.
Among the solutions adopted by Brazilian companies is the use of integrated management platforms, such as Vision, a tool developed by Saygo Tech that centralizes logistical, financial, and regulatory information in real-time. The technology enables tracking shipments, alerts for pending tasks, currency control, and analysis of operational indicators. “The idea is to reduce the burden of manual routines and free up time for more strategic decisions,” explains Oliveira.
Recent surveys by the World Bank and CNI indicate that bureaucracy in Brazilian foreign trade consumes, on average, 13 working days per import operation, double the global average. Automation has significantly reduced this time while increasing compliance with requirements from agencies such as the Federal Revenue, Siscomex, and MAPA.
Three key points for companies looking to digitalize their operations:
- Mapping critical processes: identifying operational bottlenecks and points that generate rework, such as document issuance or tax deadline management.
- Currency and financial risk management: integrating cost analysis with automated forex tools and scenario projections to avoid surprises from dollar or euro fluctuations.
- Integration with suppliers and customs brokers: platforms enabling real-time communication with involved agents—such as carriers, trading firms, and terminals—reduce information gaps and delays.
Oliveira also emphasizes the importance of predictive analytics. “Instead of merely reacting to a container delay, companies can predict logistical bottlenecks based on historical data, seasonal trends, and even the behavior of trade partners,” he explains. This more strategic operational vision is expected to gain importance in coming years as demands for traceability and sustainability in global supply chains increase.
For companies still operating with fragmented processes, the recommendation is to begin transitioning with targeted steps. “You don’t need to digitalize everything at once. Start with shipment tracking, then document management, and gradually integrate other areas. The key is having a clear vision of the operational gains this can deliver,” concludes Oliveira.
