Freight Forwarding Brazil → United States
The fastest Brazil–USA ocean corridor. Direct FCL and LCL services from Latin America's largest port (Santos) to Miami and Port Everglades in approximately 12–16 days.
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 (Cais do Porto)
- Port of Santos (Barnabé-Bagres Terminal)
- Port of Santos (Brasil Terminal Portuário)
Destination Ports — United States
- Port of Miami
- Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
Regulatory Snapshot
Snapshot of clearance and duty rules. For your specific HS code, request a personalized assessment.
Customs clearance
Exports from Santos to Miami require: Brazilian SISCOMEX export declaration (Declaração de Exportação — DE) filed by a licensed Brazilian customs broker (despachante aduanal); RADAR registration for the Brazilian exporter; phytosanitary certificates from MAPA for agricultural products; fumigation certificates for wooden packaging (ISPM 15). On the US side: ISF filed 24 hours before Santos departure; commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, CBP Form 7501 for Miami clearance; FDA Prior Notice for food and agricultural products; USDA/APHIS certificates for agricultural goods; Section 232 documentation for any steel or aluminum products.
Tariff & duties
Brazilian goods entering the USA via Santos–Miami are assessed at standard US MFN tariff rates. No Section 301 tariffs apply to Brazilian goods. No US–Brazil FTA is in force — Brazil and the USA have no preferential trade agreement. MFN rates: coffee (green) 0%, processed coffee 0–5.6%, sugar 0.68 cents/kg or 3.66 cents/kg depending on type, agricultural products 0–7%, machinery generally 0–3.9%, vehicles 2.5–25% depending on type, steel subject to Section 232 (25%). Agricultural goods may require USDA/APHIS inspection at Miami ports of entry.
Quick facts
- Nearest Port to São Paulo
Port of Santos is 75km from São Paulo — Brazil's industrial and commercial capital. It handles 30%+ of Brazil's international trade and offers the most frequent direct sailings to Miami of any Brazilian port.
- Fastest Brazil–USA Lane
Santos–Miami is the shortest ocean distance between Brazil and the USA. At 12–16 days, it is 4–8 days faster than Santos–New York or Santos–Houston — ideal for time-sensitive Brazilian exports.
- Brazilian Coffee Specialists
Brazil is the world's largest coffee producer. We manage the complete export chain: Santos port loading, FDA Prior Notice, phytosanitary certificates, MAPA approvals, and Miami customs clearance for coffee and food exporters.
- What we move on this lane
Coffee (Green & Roasted), Sugar & Ethanol, Food Products & Juices, Machinery & Equipment, Vehicles & Auto Parts, Steel & Metals
Related Shipping Routes
Frequently asked questions about Brazil → United States
How long does shipping from Santos to Miami take?
Ocean freight from the Port of Santos to Miami takes approximately 12–16 days on direct services — making this the fastest ocean lane between Brazil and the USA. The short crossing covers the South Atlantic from Santos (São Paulo state, Brazil) to South Florida. Air freight from Guarulhos International Airport (near Santos/São Paulo) to Miami International Airport takes 2–4 days.
Why is Santos the most important port for US–Brazil trade?
Port of Santos is Latin America's largest container port, handling over 4 million TEU annually and approximately 30% of all Brazilian international trade. Its proximity to São Paulo (75km by road via Via Anchieta/Imigrantes) makes it the natural gateway for Brazil's industrial heartland. Santos offers the most frequent direct services to Miami of any Brazilian port, with multiple weekly sailings by major carriers.
What Brazilian products commonly ship from Santos to Miami?
Major Santos–Miami cargo categories include: coffee (Brazil is the world's #1 coffee producer — Santos handles a significant portion of Brazilian coffee exports), sugar and ethanol, orange juice and food products, machinery and industrial equipment, vehicles and auto parts (São Paulo region is Brazil's automotive hub), steel and metals, chemicals, and general manufactured goods.
What documents are required for coffee exports from Santos to Miami?
Brazilian coffee exports to the USA require: DE (Declaração de Exportação) filed in SISCOMEX; phytosanitary certificate from MAPA; quality certificate from MAPA or certified laboratory; fumigation certificate (if wooden packaging); certificate of origin (for origin verification); FDA Prior Notice filed before US port arrival. Green (unroasted) coffee enters the USA at 0% duty. Roasted or processed coffee: 0–5.6% depending on type. Suaid Global manages all Santos-origin coffee logistics and US customs clearance.
Are there direct carrier services from Santos to Miami?
Yes. The Santos–Miami route is one of the most served Brazil–USA lanes, with multiple weekly departures by major carriers including Maersk, MSC, CMA CGM, Hapag-Lloyd, and Hamburg Süd (Maersk subsidiary, historically dominant on South America–US trade). These direct services (no transshipment) achieve 12–16 day transit times. Suaid Global has established carrier relationships for this lane and secures competitive rates for regular shippers.
How does US agricultural inspection work for Brazilian food products at Miami?
Agricultural products from Brazil arriving at Port of Miami or Miami International Airport are subject to USDA/APHIS agricultural inspection. CBP agricultural specialists screen all entries, and specific commodities trigger mandatory inspection. Goods with phytosanitary issues are either treated (fumigated) at importer's expense, re-exported, or destroyed. FDA Prior Notice must be filed at least 8 hours before ocean arrival for food products. MAPA phytosanitary certificates from Brazil are required for most agricultural goods. Suaid Global coordinates all pre-arrival FDA and USDA filings for Brazilian food exports.
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