Shipping To Brazil: Airports & Ports In Brazil

If you landed on this page, it's probably because you're ready to import or export goods between China and Brazil.

If you are looking for a way to ship goods from China to Brazil and need a complete guide, we suggest you read this article. JIKEship tells you all the tips and information you need to be shipping to Brazil.

Brazil has strict customs policies and many importers have difficulty clearing their products.

We have a dedicated customs clearance team working in Brazil, with our service you will get your product from the customs department in the fastest time possible.

Also, we maintain a good relationship with local customs brokers in Brazil to smoothly ship your cargoes from China to Brazil.

For your shipments between Asia and South America, JIKEship is the partner you need. Whether by air, sea, or truck, almost any item can be requested, even if they are hazardous or perishable.

1. Complete Procedures to import goods to Brazil

Brazil customs clearance refers to the procedure of confirming the accuracy of the data you declare on your imported goods. The whole process is often demanding, as it involves a large number of requirements and documents. If you are not skilled to do it, we can take care of the whole process for you.

Step 1: Ahead of importing to Brazil, it is important to get some approvals and licenses

It is most important to understand that the purpose of radar and import licenses serves are different. Radar licenses enable importers to access the Siscomex platform, while import licenses are necessary to import certain types of items.

• RADAR

In order to conduct any foreign trade operation, the importer/exporter must first register with Secex through Siscomex. Note that before being able to access Siscomex, the importer/exporter will need a Radar license - a license granted by the Brazilian Federal Revenue Agency (Receita Federal do Brazil), which is different from the import license, that is issued by Siscomex.

• The Siscomex platform

It is the electronic means by which you can access systems, services, statistics and information about foreign trade. After obtaining RADAR, importers must register at SISCOMEX as importers in the register known as REI or Registro de Exportadores e Importadores.You will be able to find all the needed documents for the import on Siscomex.

Step 2: If there is a need for a special authorization provided from a government agency, the importer must demand an Import License or a Simplified Import License.

Major government agencies for an Import License

1. The Anvisa

Anvisa is the government department responsible for health and quality. All imported medicines, cosmetics, health products and food need to meet its requirements.

2. The MAPA

The Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture (MAPA) is ruling on the import of products of animal or plant origin. Companies that are importing this type of goods, such as natural cosmetics, must obtain an import license from MAPA to register.

3. The IBAMA

IBAMA is the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources. It acts under the governance of the Ministry of Environment, protecting and overseeing the sustainable development of the country's natural resources.

4. The ANATEL

Anatel is the National Telecommunications Agency. It is responsible for the management and promotion of telecommunications activities in Brazil.

5. The ANP

ANP is the National Petroleum and Natural Gas Agency. It is the government agency that regulates activities related to oil and gas. It acts under the management of the Ministry of Mines and Energy.

Step 3: The importer must pay import duties, IPI, PIS, COFINS, ICMS, and applicable taxes to the Federal Tax Administration prior to the arrival of the goods. This is a necessary condition for the Brazil customs clearance to begin.

In Brazil, imports are subject to several taxes and fees, which are usually paid during the customs clearance process.

There are three taxes that account for the majority of the cost of imports: the Import Tax (abbreviated as II in Portuguese), the Industrialized Products Tax (IPI), and the Merchandise and Service Circulation Tax (ICMS). In addition to these taxes, there are smaller taxes that apply to imports. Please note that most taxes are calculated on a cumulative basis.

• "CIF Value"

Import duty (II) is a federally authorized specific tax on products, levied at CIF (cost, insurance, and freight). In most cases, the import tax rate in Brazil varies from 10% to 35%.

• "((1+II) x CIF)"

IPI is a federal tax levied on most domestic and imported manufactured goods. The GOB levies the IPI tax rate by determining how essential the product may be for the Brazilian end-user. In general, IPI tax rates range from 0-15%. In the case of imports, the tax is collected based on the CIF value of the product plus import duties. A product's IPI tax rate is directly proportional to its import duty rate.

• "CIF + Cost IPI + Cost COFINS + Cost PIS + Other Costs"

ICMS is a state government value-added tax that applies to both imported and domestic goods. ICMS tax on imported products is levied ad valorem on the CIF price, plus import duty, plus IPI. ICMS tax rates vary by state: in São Paulo state, the tax rate ranges from 7-18%. Certain industries may qualify for an exemption from the ICMS tax.

• Other minor taxes that apply to imports:

• " (1 + ICMS x (II + IPI x (1 + II)))) / ((1 – PIS – COFINS) x (1 – ICMS)) x CIF) "

Both PIS-Imports and COFINS-Imports are federal taxes levied on foreign goods entering Brazilian territory.

Note: Products with a total value of less than USD50 are not taxed in Brazil. It is important to note that the total value includes the price of the package, shipping costs, and insurance.

Step 4: After the transit of the goods begins and before the goods are cleared, the importer must complete an import declaration or simplified import declaration through Siscomex.

• The Import Declaration

You can fill in this document electronically via Siscomex before the cargo is cleared. This document details all commercial information, applicable taxes, and currency exchange rates. This is one of the most important documents.

• The Simplified Import Declaration (DSI)

It is used to simplify the process when your goods are worth less than $3.000. It is also used for donated goods and temporary admissions.

• The Import Declaration Excerpt

It is a document frequently asked by customs during the clearance of your cargoes. It restores important data written on import declarations and simplified customs declarations.

Necessary documents

The import documents needed to submit to the Brazilian Customs for getting clearance of cargo. The documents may have to be prepared in a specific way to comply with the requirements of the import or export country.

• The commercial invoice must list the value of the goods, the country of origin of the goods, and the HS tariff classification of the goods.

• The packing list must list the quantity and type of each good, the HS tariff classification of the goods, and the gross and net weight of the goods.

• The bill of lading must list the name and address of the shipper and consignee, the port of loading and the port of discharge, the description and quantity of the goods, and the date of shipment.

• The certificate of origin must be issued by the chamber of commerce of the exporting country and must list the HS tariff classification of the goods, the country of origin of the goods, and the date of export.

• The Proof of Import, it is granted by customs officials on the last step of the customs clearing process, after that all the import documents have been evaluated. It is officialising the nationalization of your items in Brazil.

Other Documents Required for Customs Clearance:

• If the medicine is imported by an individual, the prescription of the Practitioner.
• DARF to testify of the payoff of the duties
• All other claim documentation to meet the exact legal requirements for acceptance of your shipment
• The MSDS document, if the goods are hazardous

Prohibited & restricted items

Brazil is one of the strict countries that assess all types of cargoes and products that get into the country.

In general, the importation of any used consumer goods is prohibited. Used capital goods - such as used aviation parts - are only allowed if no similar locally produced item is available. Remanufactured products are still considered second-hand products.

There are also specific legal provisions that limit the importation of products that Brazilian regulators consider harmful to health, hygiene, national security interests, and the environment.

If you have any doubts, please don't hesitate to contact the JIKEship experts and we’re always happy to help you in any way you need.

2. Shipping to Brazil by sea freight

Sea freight is the most common way to ship to Brazil, mainly for its versatility and reliability. Everything can be shipped by sea, including very large and heavy items (e.g. cars).

Our sea freight service from China to Brazil covers all major ports： Shanghai, Shenzhen, Ningbo, Qingdao, Guangzhou, Tianjin, Dalian, Xiamen, Hong Kong and Macau. Depending on your specific needs, we offer door-to-door, door-to-port and port-to-port shipping services from China to Brazil.

Ocean freight ports in Brazil

• Port of Santos – SP
• Port of Vitória – ES
• Port of Paranaguá – PR
• Port of Rio Grande – RS
• Port of Rio de Janeiro – RJ
• Port of Itaguai – RJ
• Port of Itajaí – SC

We made a special article about the freight from China, if you’re interested you can learn more about it here: SEA FREIGHT FROM CHINA.

3. Shipping to Brazil by air freight

While most cargoes are transported by sea, of all your transport options, airfreight is the quickest method to shipping to Brazil.

The average transit time for air shipping to Brazil is usually 3 to 7 days, depending on the chosen shipping route. This may vary in times when there is a high volume of cargo moving due to higher demand in the market.

Please note that speed comes at a price and air freight can be expensive.

We made a special article about the freight from China, if you’re interested you can learn more about it here: AIR FREIGHT SHIPPING FROM CHINA