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10,515 NCM codes · 5,612 HS headings
Data: May 2026
Last updated: May 2026

Layer 2: Logistics

Freight & Shipping to Brazil

Ports, transit times, container types, documentation, and the hidden costs that catch first-time shippers off guard.

Brazil is a continental country with 7,491 km of coastline and dozens of commercial ports. Your choice of port, shipping mode, and documentation preparation can make or break your delivery timeline — and your margins.

Ocean freight vs. air cargo

Ocean freight (~95% of volume)

  • Cost: $1,500-$5,000 per 20ft container (origin-dependent)
  • Transit: 15-45 days depending on origin
  • Best for: bulk goods, heavy equipment, non-urgent cargo
  • Min quantity: LCL (less than container load) from ~1 CBM
  • AFRMM: 8% tax on ocean freight value (Lei 14.301/2022)

Air cargo (~5% of volume, ~30% of value)

  • Cost: $3-$8 per kg (express: $15-$30/kg)
  • Transit: 2-4 days (plus 2-5 days clearance)
  • Best for: high-value, low-weight, urgent, perishable
  • Min quantity: from 1 kg
  • No AFRMM: air freight is exempt from AFRMM

Major import ports

Brazil has over 30 commercial ports, but 7 handle the vast majority of imports. Your choice depends on the final destination of your goods:

Santos (SP) BRSSZ
Largest port in Latin America. Best for São Paulo and Southeast Brazil. 15km from the capital.
~28% of imports
Paranaguá (PR) BRPNG
Major grain exporter, significant import volume. Serves Paraná and southern states.
~10% of imports
Itajaí/Navegantes (SC) BRITJ
Fast-growing port complex. Two terminals (Itajaí + Navegantes). Good for Santa Catarina and RS.
~9% of imports
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) BRRIO
Federal capital region. Oil & gas equipment hub. Slower clearance than Santos.
~6% of imports
Vitória (ES) BRVIX
Iron ore exports, growing import operations. Good rates for Espírito Santo.
~5% of imports
Suape (PE) BRSUA
Northeast Brazil hub. Growing industrial zone. Best for Pernambuco and nearby states.
~5% of imports
Manaus (AM) BRMAO
Zona Franca de Manaus. Major tax benefits for electronics and industrial goods. River port.
~4% of imports

See detailed port profiles, including customs clearance averages and storage costs: Import Ports Directory

Transit times from major origins

Origin Ocean (to Santos) Air (to GRU/VCP)
Shanghai, China 30-40 days 2-4 days
Rotterdam, Netherlands 18-25 days 12-18 hours
New York, USA 15-22 days 10-14 hours
Mumbai, India 25-35 days 15-20 hours
Hamburg, Germany 20-28 days 12-18 hours
Tokyo, Japan 35-45 days 24-30 hours
Istanbul, Turkey 22-30 days 14-18 hours

Container types and sizes

20ft Standard (TEU)

5.9m x 2.35m x 2.39m

~33 CBM, max ~21 tons. Best for heavy, dense cargo.

40ft Standard

12.03m x 2.35m x 2.39m

~67 CBM, max ~26 tons. Most common for general cargo.

40ft High Cube (HC)

12.03m x 2.35m x 2.69m

~76 CBM, max ~26 tons. Extra 30cm height for voluminous goods.

Required documentation

These documents must accompany every international shipment to Brazil:

Mandatory for all shipments

  • 1 Commercial Invoice — in English or Portuguese, with HS/NCM codes, Incoterm, unit values
  • 2 Packing List — dimensions, weights, marks and numbers for each package
  • 3 Bill of Lading (ocean) or Air Waybill (air) — transport contract
  • 4 Certificate of Origin — may reduce duties under trade agreements (EU-Mercosur, Mercosur-India, etc.)

Conditional (product-specific)

  • + Import License (LI) — for controlled goods (ANVISA, INMETRO, Anatel, etc.)
  • + Phytosanitary Certificate — for agricultural products (MAPA)
  • + MSDS/SDS — for chemicals and hazardous goods
  • + Insurance Certificate — if CIF Incoterm
?What is AFRMM?

AFRMM (Adicional ao Frete para Renovação da Marinha Mercante) is an 8% tax on international ocean freight for goods arriving by sea. It funds Brazil's merchant marine fleet. Only applies to maritime shipments — air freight is exempt.

All 7 import taxes explained
?What is a Despachante Aduaneiro?

A despachante aduaneiro is a licensed customs broker — required for all import clearances in Brazil. They file declarations in Siscomex, classify NCM codes, pay taxes on your behalf, and handle inspections. Must hold a registration from Receita Federal.

How to choose a customs broker
?What is the Zona Franca de Manaus?

The Zona Franca de Manaus (ZFM) is a free trade zone in the Amazon region offering significant tax exemptions — reduced or zero II, IPI, PIS, COFINS, and ICMS for goods manufactured or imported through Manaus. Created in 1967, extended through 2073.

Zona Franca guide

AFRMM — the hidden freight tax

AFRMM (Adicional ao Frete para Renovacao da Marinha Mercante)

A 8% tax on ocean freight value (Lei 14.301/2022). This is unique to Brazil and catches many first-time importers by surprise. It's automatically calculated by Siscomex at customs clearance.

  • • Only applies to ocean freight — air cargo is exempt
  • • Calculated on the freight portion of the invoice (extracted from CIF or declared separately for FOB)
  • • Cabotage (domestic coastal): 8% | International long-haul: 8% | Amazon/inland waterways: 40%
  • • Zona Franca de Manaus imports are exempt from AFRMM
  • • EU-Mercosur agreement does NOT exempt AFRMM

Customs clearance timeline

After your cargo arrives at a Brazilian port/airport, the clearance process follows these steps:

1

Cargo arrival + Presenca de Carga

Port/airport confirms cargo arrived. System registers the B/L or AWB.

Day 0
2

DI/DUIMP registration

Your customs broker files the Import Declaration in Siscomex. Taxes are calculated automatically.

Day 1-2
3

Parametrization (canal verde/amarelo/vermelho/cinza)

Siscomex automatically assigns a review channel. Green = instant release. Yellow = document check. Red = physical inspection. Grey = customs value audit.

Day 1-2
4

Tax payment + CI (Comprovante de Importacao)

Pay import duties, IPI, PIS/COFINS, ICMS, AFRMM via Siscomex debit. System issues the CI.

Day 2-5
5

Release + delivery

Cargo released. Transport to final destination. Total: 3-15 business days (green channel: 3-5, red: 7-15).

Done

Cost reduction strategies

  • Use LCL for small volumes: don't pay for a full container if you're shipping less than 15 CBM. LCL consolidation services are available at all major ports.
  • Avoid port storage fees: Brazilian port storage (armazenagem) is expensive — R$50-200/day per container after the free period (usually 7-10 days). Have your customs broker ready before cargo arrives.
  • Consider air for high-value, low-weight: the break-even is roughly when product value exceeds $50/kg. Air cargo also means faster customs clearance and lower storage risk.
  • Route through Santos: highest volume means most competition among terminals, which translates to lower handling charges and faster clearance.
  • File LI in advance: if your product needs an Import License, file it 60+ days before shipment. This is the #1 cause of clearance delays.
  • Check Ex-Tarifario: tariff reductions of up to 35% can make the difference between a viable and unviable shipment.

Selling to the Brazilian government?

R$700B+/year in public procurement. Understanding freight is critical for competitive bidding. Browse open tenders or read the procurement guide.

Calculate Landed Cost Incoterms Guide Port Directory