South AmericaShipping Heavy Equipment to Brazil
Brazil is South America's largest economy with massive mining, agriculture, and infrastructure sectors. Multiple major ports provide comprehensive coverage for this continent-sized country.
Main Ports
- Port of Santos
- Port of Paranaguá
- Port of Rio de Janeiro
Shipping Methods
- RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off)
- Flat Rack Container
- Breakbulk
Key Regulations
- Brazilian Customs (Receita Federal)
- INMETRO Certification
- Import Licensing
Common Cargo
- Mining Equipment
- Agricultural Machinery
- Construction Machinery
Main Ports in Brazil
Port of Santos
Major Seaport
Port of Paranaguá
Major Seaport
Port of Rio de Janeiro
Major Seaport
Port of Itajaí
Major Seaport
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Brazil
| From (US Port) | To | Service | Est. Transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, TX | Santos / Paranaguá | Container / Breakbulk | 22–35 days |
| Savannah, GA | Santos / Itajaí | Container / RoRo | 20–32 days |
Transit times are indicative port-to-port estimates and vary by carrier, season, and sailing schedule.
U.S. Departure Ports for Shipping to Brazil
We ship to Brazil (Port of Santos) from every major U.S. port. Typical ocean transit is 18-28 days.
Gulf Coast
East Coast
Import Duty, VAT & Taxes for Brazil
New vehicles face a heavy cascading tax stack: roughly 35% Import Duty (II) on CIF, plus IPI (engine/efficiency-based), PIS/COFINS (~9.25%), and state ICMS (17–22%, calculated 'por dentro'). Landed cost can reach 90–120% of the overseas price. Industrial machinery may qualify for Ex-Tarifário, cutting import duty toward 0% where no domestic equivalent exists.
- Import Duty
- II ≈35% (CIF); machinery 0–14% (Ex-Tarifário may reduce to 0%)
- VAT / Sales Tax
- ICMS 17–22% (state) + PIS/COFINS ≈9.25%
- Other Taxes & Fees
- IPI varies by engine/fuel; AFRMM merchant-marine freight surcharge applies
Source: Receita Federal / CAMEX · Last verified: June 2026
Used Vehicle & Equipment Age Limits
Import of used vehicles is generally prohibited; only new (never-registered) vehicles or collector cars 30+ years old may be imported, and they must meet Brazilian technical and emissions standards.
Source: Receita Federal do Brasil · Last verified: June 2026
Import Regulations & Requirements
Brazilian Customs (Receita Federal)
Complex customs procedures requiring experienced handling.
INMETRO Certification
Brazilian conformity assessment may be required for certain equipment.
Import Licensing
Some goods require import licenses from various agencies.
Required Documentation
Customs & Clearance Notes for Brazil
What makes Brazil tricky
- The used-vehicle import ban plus cascading 'por dentro' taxes surprise most shippers — landed cost can nearly double the price.
- Clearance (Receita Federal + IBAMA + state ICMS) is bureaucratic; use an experienced broker.
- A local importer (CNPJ) with RADAR/Siscomex authorization and IBAMA clearance is required.
- Industrial machinery without a domestic equivalent can apply for Ex-Tarifário to cut import duty.
Seasonality & Scheduling
Santos congestion and the year-end Brazilian summer/holiday peak (December–February) can extend clearance; plan project cargo accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
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