Integration Bridge: Brazil asks Paraguay to lower border transit document fee

Brazil is pressing Paraguay to reduce the cost of its border transit document before private vehicles begin crossing the Integration Bridge on Sept. 14.

The new phase will allow residents of Ciudad del Este, Presidente Franco and Hernandarias in Paraguay, along with residents of Foz de Yguazú in Brazil, to cross the border in private vehicles under the Border Neighborhood Transit Document system.

The dispute centers on the fee. Paraguayan applicants pay 63.85 reais to Brazil’s Federal Police, equivalent to slightly more than 70,000 guaranies. Brazilian applicants pay 234,154 guaranies to Paraguay’s National Migration Directorate.

Marcelo Mossi, the Federal Revenue Service delegate in Foz de Yguazú, said Brazil’s representatives want both countries to apply the principle of reciprocity. The issue is being discussed by the Brazil-Paraguay Joint Commission, with Brazilian Foreign Ministry diplomat Daniel Falcon Lins taking part.

Brazil initially considered raising its own fee, but its current position is to negotiate a common charge matching the amount now levied in Brazil. From Sept. 14, empty heavy trucks will also receive longer crossing hours, from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Private vehicles will be allowed between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. The regime is limited to residents of the four cities and does not allow goods transport, except for subsistence items.