Brazil is China’s largest trading partner, second largest export destination market and largest import source in Latin America. China has been Brazil’s largest trading partner, largest export destination market and largest import source for many years.

Importing goods into Brazil, whether it is for the first time, or on a regular basis, can be a challenging experience. There are many elements to consider when shipping to Brazil. CFC understands the complexities and challenges of shipping cargo from China to Brazil.

If you’re a business owner looking to expand your reach or a buyer needing to transport goods, our services are designed to meet your needs.

• Evaluate how quickly you need your items to arrive. Air freight is faster while sea freight takes longer.
• Evaluate your shipment’s size, weight, and characteristics to determine the optimal fit for either ocean freight or air freight.
• Evaluate your budget for shipping. Air freight is generally pricier than sea freight, so weigh the cost against the urgency of your shipment.

Brazil Customs

Imports are subject to several taxes and fees in Brazil, which are usually paid during the customs clearance process. There are three taxes that account for the bulk of import costs:

• Import Duty (abbreviated in Portuguese as II)
• Industrialized Product tax (IPI)
• Merchandise and Service Circulation tax (ICMS)

In addition to these taxes, several smaller taxes and fees apply to imports. Note that most taxes are calculated on a cumulative basis.

It is essential to have all customs documents filled out correctly and completely. One must also have a capable and proven customs broker for the Brazilian market.

Products get delayed for various reasons, including minor errors or omissions in paperwork. Products held can be assessed high fees and Brazilian Customs frequently seizes shipments that appear to have inaccurate documentation. Customs has the right to apply fines and penalties at its discretion.

Brazilian law does not permit DDP imports. Once the goods are at the port of arrival, only the importer and the hired third party can clear the goods and pay the taxes and duties.

Starting from August 1, 2024, small cross-border parcels worth less than $50 will be subject to a 20% import tax and a 17% ICMS in each state. For imported parcels worth more than $50, the portion exceeding $50 will still be subject to a 60% import tax and a 17% ICMS, but parcels worth less than $3,000 will be exempted from $20 in taxes.

INMETRO, ANVISA and ANATEL

Brazil has established a certification system for foreign goods. The three major certification systems in Brazil are INMETRO, ANVISA and ANATEL.

• Products that may cause safety problems to non-professionals need to be certified by Inmetro, such as plugs, sockets, toys, baby pacifiers, electrical equipment, household appliances, consumer electronics, technology equipment and lighting fixtures.
• Certification for telecommunications products consists of a registered Anatel certificate and a certificate of conformity issued by an OCD-designated certification unit.
• For medical, food, cosmetics, sanitation and other related equipment or items in Brazil, the import / transportation / sales / storage require the review and approval of the Anvisa department.

Sea Freight from China to Brazil

At CFC, we take pride in providing a full range of ocean shipping solutions to Brazil from China. Whether you are shipping a Full Container Load (FCL) or Less than a Container Load (LCL), we have the right solutions for you.

• Port to port: This service covers the ocean shipping only.
• Door to port: This service includes domestic transportation in China, as well as ocean shipping.
• Port to door: This service covers ocean shipping plus domestic transportation in Brazil.
• Door to door: This service includes all transportation from the premises of the goods’ supplier/exporter to the premises of the recipient/importer.

As a provider of complete container logistics solutions, we make shipping easy for you by integrating ocean freight and road freight services into and across Brazil, so you don’t need to deal with multiple freight forwarders and carriers.

Let’s delve deeper into the specifics of our shipping services, including international shipping rates, sea freight & container shipping services, and how to choose the right shipping option for your needs.

Bill of Lading

Brazil sets the highest bar for bill of lading (B/L) requirements in Latin America, featuring the strictest regulations and heaviest penalties.

Bill of Lading Format Requirements:

• Only Original Bills of Lading (OBL) are accepted. Telex release, Sea Waybills, and destination releases are strictly prohibited.
• “To Order” bills of lading are strictly forbidden.
• The Consignee must be named; “TO ORDER” is not allowed.

Mandatory Information on the Bill of Lading:

• Freight amount (must be listed in USD or EUR).
• Tax ID (CNPJ) for both the Consignee and the Notify Party.
• NCM Code (Brazil’s version of the HS Code, at least 4 digits).
• HS Code (first 6 digits).
• Container Tare Weight.
• Brand/Model and Trademark Registration Number

Risk Warning: Brazilian Customs enforces extreme strictness regarding document consistency. Any discrepancy between documents can result in fines of up to USD 3,000.

Top Container Ports in Brazil

There are 99 maritime ports and 76 inland ports in Brazil.

The services offered by these ports differ from port to port. It is prudent to research before deciding on the port of arrival to use. Choose the port closest to your location to cut freight costs and transit time.

Sao Paulo is the largest city in Brazil and the national industrial, commercial, financial and transportation center. 100 kilometers to the southeast is the Port of Santos, the largest seaport in South America. The area of influence of the Santos Port stands for 55% of the GDP of Brazil, influencing directly the provinces of São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso, Mato Grosso do Sul, Goiás, Paraná and other countries of Mercosur.

Rio de Janeiro is the second largest city in Brazil, a world-famous tourist destination and the second largest port in Brazil.

Other major container ports are:

• Port of Fortaleza
• Port of Paranaguá
• Port of Salvador
• Port of Vitoria
• Port of Rio Grande
• Port of Itaqui
• Port of Pecem

Sea Freight Cost from China to Brazil

Our ocean freight services are fast, convenient, reliable, and competitively priced. CFC can move your cargo from China to key Brazilian ports at surprisingly low shipping rates. But your destination doesn’t need to be close to one of these ports. Our door-to-door shipping container services combine ocean freight and road freight for a seamless international logistics experience.

For example. The rough port to port container rate from FOB Shanghai to Santos is $6,000 for 1x40HC.

FCL shipping is the ideal choice if you need to ensure maximum security for your goods-in-transit, since after loading, your container remains sealed throughout its journey, and its contents will not be exposed to any handling en-route, except in the event of a customs inspection.

LCL freight does have to be handled during consolidation and deconsolidation, it enjoys the same protection in transit—from the elements and unwanted human attention—as FCL cargo. However, the LCL pricing structure allows small quantities to be shipped at a very reasonable cost, since you won’t have to pay for the exclusive use of a shipping container.

Sea Freight Transit Time from China to Brazil

LCL and FCL ocean freight take a lot longer to ship between China and Brazil, so it will not be ideal for urgent or unplanned shipments. Sea freight transit times are typically between 30 and 40 days, depending on the port-to-port route used and the sea carrier.

Air Freight from China to Brazil

Recognizing the significance of speed in shipping goods, we prioritize efficient and timely delivery at CFC. Whether you are shipping a small package or a large cargo, our air freight services are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring you get the best value for your money.

Top Airports in Brazil

Brazil’s air passenger and cargo transportation is relatively developed, and there are airports in major cities.

Brazil City	Airport Name	Airport Code
São Paulo	Guarulhos - Governador André Franco Montoro International Airport	GRU
Rio De Janeiro	Rio Galeão – Tom Jobim International Airport	GIG
Brasília	Presidente Juscelino Kubistschek International Airport	BSB
Curitiba	Afonso Pena Airport	CWB
Salvador	Deputado Luiz Eduardo Magalhães International Airport	SSA
Belo Horizonte	Tancredo Neves International Airport	CNF

Cities such as Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Brasilia have direct flights to neighboring countries, major cities in Europe and North America, Johannesburg in South Africa, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. You can reach Brazil from China by transiting through these cities.

Air Freight Cost from China to Brazil

Air cost to Brazil can vary based on factors like package dimensions, weight, chosen airline, and the destination. Guide prices for air-freight shipping to Brazil are not easy to attain, as rates fluctuate considerably, and there are so many variables in play.

CFC offers significant discounts to our valued customers, providing potential savings of up to 65% compared to standard shipping rates.

This represents an excellent opportunity to reduce your shipping expenses significantly. For a precise assessment of your potential savings and a personalized price quote, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our dedicated team is ready to assist you in finding strategies to make shipping to Brazil more budget-friendly. Your satisfaction and financial savings are our top priorities.

Air Freight Transit Time from China to Brazil

When you opt for reputable carriers like FedEx, DHL, or UPS, known for their speed and reliability, you can typically expect deliveries to reach Brazil in approximately 2 to 5 business days.

Economy-Class services take longer: delivery time is 10 business days or more. Generally you’ll pay less for services with longer delivery times.

Working with CFC

Brazil is the largest country in South America in terms of both area and population. With over 200 million people and a growing ecommerce industry, you will see increasing opportunities if importing into Brazil.

CFC can manage all your shipping needs from China to Brasília, Salvador, Fortaleza, Manaus, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, Goiânia, Belém or any city in Brazil.

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