What the new palm scan pilot means for Paraguay-Brazil bridge foot crossings

Pedestrians crossing the Friendship Bridge between Brazil and Paraguay may be asked to scan their palm at customs under a new pilot launched by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service. The trial, at the Friendship Bridge International Customs checkpoint in Foz do Iguaçu, aims to speed up traveller flow, improve risk management and strengthen customs control at one of Brazil's busiest border crossings.

Key facts

• Where: Friendship Bridge International Customs checkpoint, Foz do Iguaçu, on the Brazil-Paraguay border
• Who runs it: the Brazilian Federal Revenue Service
• Testing period ends: 31 October 2026
• Who takes part: pedestrians with nothing to declare or within the exemption quota
• Scan time: less than half a second

What is changing?

Travellers crossing on foot can perform a contactless infrared scan of their palm veins at kiosks installed at customs. The scans are said to take less than half a second. Those who are declaring goods must still follow specific protocols, the Federal Revenue Service said.

The project is set up as an open, multi-vendor testing ground rather than an exclusive contract with a single provider. Itaipu Parquetec is acting as technical validator and strategic technology partner, stress-testing the equipment and scanning algorithms to see how they cope with high volumes and real-world conditions at the bridge.

Is my identity being recorded?

During the testing phase, the biometric data is not linked to the Individual Taxpayer Registry (CPF) or to civil identity. The system recognises a repeat passage by the same biometric identifier rather than automatically identifying the person behind it. The Federal Revenue Service is, however, reportedly in talks with police about data sharing.

What happens after the pilot?

Once testing ends on 31 October 2026, the Federal Revenue Service will evaluate the results to decide the next steps for the technology at the border, including the possibility of extending it to vehicle crossings. The palm scanning rollout is the first practical phase of the Smart Border project for the 2026-2028 period.

What this means for travellers

People walking across the Friendship Bridge with nothing to declare, or within the exemption quota, may be directed to a palm scan kiosk at customs. Anyone declaring goods should follow the separate protocols in place. No start date for any permanent scheme has been announced.

The Federal Revenue Service will assess the pilot results after 31 October 2026 and decide whether the technology continues at the border and whether vehicle crossings are added.