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Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are part of a development policy created by the Federal Government to attract investment, create jobs and increase Brazilian exports. They are one of Brazil's most important mechanisms for strengthening foreign trade, bringing major competitive advantages, especially in terms of tax relief and logistics facilitation. They are areas created and delimited by Presidential Decree to host companies focused on producing goods to be sold abroad. Companies installed in an EPZ benefit from tax, exchange and administrative advantages to produce goods and services for the international market with greater competitiveness. In practice, an EPZ works as an environment prepared to host industries and exporting companies, offering suitable infrastructure, legal certainty and incentives that help reduce costs and increase business competitiveness. The major advantage is that companies operating within an EPZ have access to a "special tax, exchange and administrative regime", operating under a special customs and tax control regime administered by the Federal Revenue Service.

Yes, provided the project is aligned with the activities allowed under EPZ legislation and has a vocation to serve the international market. Currently, Brazilian legislation requires companies installed in an EPZ to commit to keeping their focus on the foreign market. However, there was an important flexibility introduced in recent legislation: "companies can sell to the domestic market", but all the usual national taxes that were suspended on imports or the acquisition of inputs will apply to those local sales. Companies from various sectors can install in the EPZ, provided they meet legal requirements and have a project approved by the Federal Government. Industries, and companies engaged in transformation, processing, assembly and manufacturing may install there, and, under current legislation, service providers focused on the international market as well. Each project is analyzed individually to verify its feasibility and compliance with EPZ rules.

The first step is to submit an investment proposal to ZPE Piauí. Our team carries out an initial analysis of the project and provides support throughout the entire structuring and approval process. After this stage, the company must prepare and file an industrial project with the National Council of EPZs (CZPE), the body responsible for analyzing and approving projects. Once approved, the project can begin its implementation within the EPZ, enjoying the benefits provided by law.

Project approval is carried out by the National Council of Export Processing Zones (CZPE), a body linked to the Federal Government. Before that, ZPE Piauí assists the company with the initial assessment of the venture and guidance on all necessary documentation. CZPE analyzes whether the project meets requirements related to national interest, job creation and export focus before granting installation authorization. After CZPE approval and compliance with other legal and regulatory requirements, the company will be authorized to install and operate in the EPZ.

Companies installed in the EPZ enjoy several benefits that increase their competitiveness, divided into three major pillars: I. TAX BENEFITS (TAX SUSPENSION) II. ADMINISTRATIVE AND EXCHANGE BENEFITS III. LOGISTICS AND INFRASTRUCTURE ADVANTAGES In addition to the federal benefits provided for in EPZ legislation, other federal, state and municipal incentives may exist, depending on the location and the economic development policies in effect.

Companies installed in an EPZ can rely on one of the most complete incentive regimes in the country, significantly reducing implementation and operating costs. On the acquisition of capital goods (machinery and equipment) and inputs (raw materials, intermediate products and packaging), whether imported or purchased domestically. Among the main benefits is the suspension of: ✅ Import Tax (II) ✅ Excise Tax (IPI) ✅ PIS-PASEP and COFINS ✅ Import PIS-PASEP and Import COFINS ✅ AFRMM (Merchant Marine Renewal Freight Surcharge) When legal requirements are met and the final product is destined for the foreign market, the tax suspension can be converted into a zero rate, exemption or definitive non-requirement, depending on the nature of each tax.

Companies enjoy greater exchange freedom, being able to keep 100% of the foreign currency earned from their exports abroad, meaning there is no obligation to repatriate the funds immediately. Administrative and customs procedures are simplified within the EPZ perimeter, speeding up the flow of inputs coming in and products going out, with greater operational agility. Greater predictability and legal certainty for long-term investments.

EPZs, managed by their administering companies, feature ready-made "industrial condominium" structures with security, infrastructure, strategic proximity to logistics hubs (such as ports or railways) and consolidated customs clearance, which reduces storage costs and cargo processing time. In the case of ZPE Piauí, proximity to Porto Piauí and the main logistics integration corridors of the Northeast further strengthens the competitiveness of the companies installed there.

No. EPZ legislation allows part of the production to be sold to the domestic market, provided the conditions set out by law are observed and the taxes normally required for such operations are paid. This offers companies greater commercial flexibility without compromising the venture's export vocation.