Freight Forwarding Brazil → United States
Full-service freight forwarding on the Santos–Miami corridor. Ocean FCL/LCL, air freight, customs brokerage, and door-to-door delivery across the United States.
Origin & Destination Ports
Primary gateways our partner network uses on this corridor. We can route through alternates for capacity, weather, or cost.
Origin Ports — Brazil
- Port of Santos
- Port of Paranaguá
- Port of Itajaí
- Port of Rio de Janeiro
Destination Ports — United States
- Port of Miami
- Port of Houston
- Port of New York/New Jersey
Regulatory Snapshot
Snapshot of clearance and duty rules. For your specific HS code, request a personalized assessment.
Customs clearance
Shipments from Brazil to the USA require an ISF (Importer Security Filing) submitted 24 hours before vessel departure. Required documents: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and CBP Form 7501 for formal entries over $2,500. Agricultural products require MAPA certification and may need USDA/APHIS inspection upon arrival. All wooden packaging must comply with ISPM 15 (heat-treated or fumigated). Food products require FDA Prior Notice at least 2 hours before arrival by air or 8 hours by ocean.
Tariff & duties
Most Brazilian goods enter the USA under MFN (Most Favored Nation) tariff rates, ranging from 0% to 6.5% for general manufactured goods and 0–7% for agricultural products. Brazil and the United States have no free trade agreement, so USMCA does not apply. Steel and aluminum products from Brazil may be subject to Section 232 tariffs (25% on steel, 10% on aluminum), though quota arrangements have been negotiated periodically. Anti-dumping and countervailing duty orders apply to certain products including some steel types, orange juice concentrate, and specific chemical products.
Quick facts
- US-Based Operations
Our Fort Lauderdale office manages CBP clearance, ISF filings, and last-mile delivery for every Brazil-origin shipment entering the US.
- Brazil Customs Expertise
We navigate MAPA agricultural certificates, fumigation requirements, and FDA Prior Notice for food products on every shipment.
- Direct Carrier Contracts
Negotiated capacity with Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM on the Santos–Miami lane ensures competitive rates and reliable vessel space.
- What we move on this lane
Agricultural Products, Coffee & Food Products, Machinery & Equipment, Chemicals, Automobiles & Parts, Steel & Metals
Related Shipping Routes
Frequently asked questions about Brazil → United States
How long does shipping from Brazil to the USA take?
Ocean freight from Brazil to the USA takes 16–24 days for FCL and 22–32 days for LCL, depending on origin port and US destination. The Santos–Miami lane is the fastest at approximately 16–18 days. Air freight takes 2–4 days door-to-door.
What are the main ports for exporting from Brazil to the USA?
The primary export ports in Brazil are the Port of Santos (São Paulo state), Port of Paranaguá (Paraná), Port of Itajaí (Santa Catarina), and Port of Rio de Janeiro. Santos handles approximately 30% of all Brazilian international trade volume and offers the most frequent sailings to US ports.
Is there a free trade agreement between Brazil and the USA?
No. Brazil and the United States do not have a free trade agreement. Brazilian goods enter the US market under MFN tariff rates established under WTO rules. Mercosur–US FTA discussions have been ongoing but no agreement is currently in force.
What documents are required to import goods from Brazil to the USA?
Standard required documents include: ISF (filed 24 hours before departure), commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, and CBP Form 7501 for formal entries. Agricultural goods require MAPA certificates. Food products need FDA Prior Notice. Controlled goods may require additional import permits or licenses.
Are Brazilian goods subject to Section 232 tariffs?
Brazilian steel and aluminum products may be subject to Section 232 tariffs (25% on steel, 10% on aluminum). Brazil has negotiated quota arrangements in certain periods that provide tariff exemptions up to set volume thresholds. The status of these arrangements changes frequently — our customs team stays current on applicable rates.
What types of cargo are most commonly shipped from Brazil to the USA?
Brazil's top exports to the USA include agricultural products (soybeans, sugar, orange juice, meat), coffee, iron ore and steel, aircraft and parts (Embraer), machinery, chemicals, and vehicles. Suaid Global has specific expertise in agricultural commodity clearance and food product compliance.
Do I need a customs broker for importing from Brazil?
While not legally required for all entries, a licensed customs broker is strongly recommended for commercial shipments from Brazil. Formal entries over $2,500 require CBP filing, and agricultural or food products involve additional agency coordination (USDA/APHIS, FDA). Suaid Global coordinates customs brokerage for Brazil-origin shipments through our network of licensed US customs broker partners.
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