Decree No. 12.958 ratifying the Mercosur Trade Facilitation Agreement, signed by the Federative Republic of Brazil, the Argentine Republic, the Republic of Paraguay and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay, on 5 December 2019.

This Decree ratifies the MERCOSUR Agreement on Trade Facilitation, with the primary objective of streamlining and simplifying procedures related to the import, export, and transit of goods among Member States. The decree aims to promote the efficient, predictable, and transparent movement of goods across borders by establishing common rules and principles that enhance the free circulation of goods and strengthen regional economic integration. It also seeks to align regional practices with international standards, particularly those of the World Trade Organization and the World Customs Organization, while encouraging cooperation and dialogue among member countries. In addition, the Agreement aims to modernize and improve customs and trade procedures through the use of information technologies, risk management systems, and coordinated border controls. It introduces provisions to enhance transparency, reduce administrative burdens, and facilitate faster clearance of goods, including specific measures for perishable goods and simplified procedures such as electronic documentation and single-window systems. The decree further promotes institutional cooperation, interoperability of systems, and capacity-building among Member States, while ensuring that trade facilitation measures contribute to secure, efficient, and cost-effective international trade within the MERCOSUR region.