Brazil and Dubai Launch Measures to Expedite Cargo and Bolster Supply Chains

In separate but significant moves to enhance trade flow, Brazil and Dubai have implemented new customs procedures designed to accelerate the movement of goods and strengthen supply chain resilience. Brazil has notably expanded its ‘clearance on water’ program, while Dubai has rolled out temporary facilitation measures in response to regional trade disruptions.

Effective March 16, 2026, Brazil’s Federal Revenue Service has opened its ‘clearance on water’ program to all companies, not just those certified as Authorized Economic Operators (AEO), according to DatamarNews. This change allows customs clearance procedures to begin before a vessel has docked, a move expected to significantly speed up the release of cargo and improve predictability for importers. The new regulation applies to all maritime imports filed under the Single Import Declaration (Duimp) across Brazil, with the exception of ports in São Paulo, which will be integrated at a later date. While the program is now broader, AEO-certified companies will continue to receive priority treatment in the clearance process.

Meanwhile, in the Middle East, Dubai Customs has implemented temporary measures to ensure cargo continuity amid regional disruptions rerouting trade, as reported by The Loadstar. Containers arriving at the ports of Khorfakkan and Fujairah can now be transported directly by road to Jebel Ali port and Dubai Free Zones under a bonded transport system, which bypasses standard customs clearance at the initial port of entry. Furthermore, a ‘Green Corridor’ has been activated between Dubai and seaports in Oman for land-based shipments to streamline cargo movement.

Eirik Hooper, a senior associate at Drewry, praised the UAE’s actions as a ‘pragmatic measure that validates the corridor’s pre-existing role,’ according to The Loadstar. Both the Brazilian and Emirati initiatives, though different in origin—one a planned expansion and the other an emergency response—highlight a growing focus on customs agility to keep trade moving efficiently in an unpredictable global landscape.