Ocean & Air Freight Shipping From the United States to Brazil

The United States and Brazil are two of the largest economies in the Western Hemisphere. As such, they’ve cultivated a mutually beneficial trade relationship. Trade between the two nations encompasses a wide range of industries, including architecture, energy, technology, and consumer goods.

In 2022, the US exported a whopping $53.8 billion worth of goods to Brazil, an increase of 14.8% from the previous year and 23% from the previous decade.

To successfully ship goods from the US to Brazil, you need to be aware of the entire process, starting with your ocean and air freight shipping options. This guide covers everything you need to know to ship from the US to Brazil with ease and confidence.

What Are the Options for Shipping Freight From the United States to Brazil?

There are two ways to ship freight from the US to Brazil: ocean freight and air freight.

Ocean Freight From the United States to Brazil

Ocean freight is the most commonly used shipping method because of its affordability and flexibility. Shippers on a budget and those with unique shipping needs appreciate it. Ocean freight can accommodate any type of cargo you need to transport and even offers two options for container shipping: less-than-container load (LCL) and full-container load (FCL).

LCL is the cheaper of the two because it involves the consolidation process. Used by shippers of small cargo or those shipping in small volumes, LCL consolidates goods belonging to other sellers and ships them together in one container. That means that each shipper only needs to pay for the space their goods occupy.

FCL is for those with large shipping needs. They rent the space in an entire container for their goods alone, giving them more space, control, and security for their shipment. They don’t share the container with other shippers, allowing them to optimize the space for their large cargo or shipping volumes.

Air Freight from the United States to Brazil

The other way to ship cargo from the US to Brazil is by air. This is the fastest international shipping mode, and you can get your goods to their destination in only a couple of days. This makes it ideal for time-sensitive and perishable cargo.

If you’re shipping high-value goods, then air freight can also be a good option. Airports have stricter regulations and processes, helping guarantee the security of your cargo during transit.

It’s worth noting, however, that air freight can become significantly more expensive than ocean freight. It’s also less flexible, unable to accommodate all types, sizes, weights, and volumes of goods.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From the United States to Brazil?

When it comes to your shipping costs, it will ultimately depend on the following factors:

• Your choice of ocean or air shipping
• Your preference for door-to-door, port-to-port, port-to-door, or door-to-port shipment
• Your consignment’s weight, volume, and size
• Weight and size limits

Use our online freight costs calculator to estimate your shipping costs. The table below provides the current cost for shipping a standard 20-foot container from the United States to Brazil:

How long does it take to ship cargo from the United States to Brazil?

The duration for shipping goods from the United States to Brazil is primarily influenced by the international shipping mode chosen. Other factors that can affect this include:

• The season (whether it's peak or low season)
• The directness of the shipment route
• How popular the trade lane is
• Geopolitical instability
• Potential incidents at the ports

How long does it take to ship cargo by sea from the United States to Brazil?

Ocean freight from the US to Brazil will typically take 15 to 50 days.

How long does it take to ship cargo by air from the United States to Brazil?

Air freight from the US to Brazil only takes between 2 to 8 days.

For the most accurate estimate, we recommend using our transit time calculator.

Customs Clearance in the United States and Brazil

When your US goods arrive at a Brazilian port or airport, they will go through the customs clearance process. This requires that you prepare and submit the following paperwork:

• A commercial invoice
• A packing list
• A certificate of origin
• A letter of credit or other payment terms (depending on the contract between the parties involved)
• A bill of lading for ocean freight or an Airway Bill for air freight
• Check out our full documents list for examples of each customs clearance requirement.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

When deciding between ocean and air freight, you should consider your needs, priorities, and cargo requirements. Here are some pointers to help you choose.

Ocean Freight

If you value cost efficiency and flexibility in your shipping endeavor, then choose ocean freight. It’s the cheapest and most accommodating way to transport a range of cargo types. It also allows you to optimize your shipment by selecting LCL and FCL.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL is suitable for you if your cargo is:

• Small in size and quantity
• Lightweight
• Suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Not delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Not requiring special handling or movement

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

FCL might be a better option for cargo that is:

• Large in size and quantity
• Heavy or overweight
• Not suitable for consolidation with cargo belonging to other shippers
• Delicate, fragile, or high-value
• Requiring special handling or movement

Air Freight

If time is of the essence in your shipment and you need to get your cargo to Brazil fast, then ship by air. An air freight shipment only takes 2-8 days to complete, making it ideal for time-sensitive or perishable cargo.

It’s also the most secure shipping option, with airports having stricter processes and regulations that can help guarantee cargo security. If your goods are high-value, you might appreciate this.

However, before settling on air freight, consider the costs. It can be significantly more expensive to ship by air than by sea. Air freight is also not flexible, unable to ship all cargo types and limiting the size, weight, and volume of your shipment.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo ports of origin in the United States

Port of Beaumont

The Port of Beaumont started as a military port and later started handling commercial timber shipments. It handles over 8 million tonnes of goods per year, mostly petrochemical items and military equipment. It’s mainly a breakbulk facility that handles project cargo, dry and liquid bulk, and RORO.

Port of New Orleans

The Port of New Orleans handles vessel traffic across the Mississippi River. It is one of the busiest ports in the US, seeing over 36,000 vessel calls per year. The port connects 14,500 miles of trading waterways to the coast of America.

Port of Long Beach

The Port of Long Beach has grown 25% in the last decade. It now handles over 80 to 85 million metric tonnes of cargo per year. It has 80 operational berths and ten cargo piers, handling over 1 million TEUs annually.

Cargo ports of arrival in Brazil

Port of Salvador

The Port of Salvador handles over 2.6 million tonnes of ocean-going cargo and 0.53 tonnes of internal cargo. It boasts 12 berths for handling general cargo, with one specializing in containers. The port is near an industrial center and petrochemical complex, highlighting its modern importance.

Port of Paranaguá

The Port of Paranaguá is the largest bulk port in Latin America. It’s also the largest port for grain export, the second largest in tonnage, and the third largest in container shipping. It mainly handles the shipment of soybeans, vegetable oil, sugar, and frozen products.

Port of Rio de Janeiro

The Port of Rio de Janeiro is located in Brazil's second-most populated city. It is the nation’s third busiest port, handling over 6.1 million tonnes of cargo per year. The port mainly handles products like vehicle parts, press paper rolls, coffee, and solid bulk.

Air Freight from the United States to Brazil: An Airport Guide

Airports of origin in the United States

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport

Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport is the third busiest cargo airport in the US. It is home to UPS Worldport, the largest package sorting facility in the world. The airport has a robust economic impact, providing over 14,000 jobs in the Louisville region.

Los Angeles International Airport

The Los Angeles International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world and the fourth busiest in the US for cargo traffic. It handles over 2 million tonnes of cargo per year. The airport’s facilities are used by some of the largest air freight companies in the world, making it a significant hub for international trade.

Miami International Airport

The Miami International Airport was built to handle a high volume of cargo traffic. The fifth busiest airport in the US, it boasts a network of over 50 cargo carriers with direct flights to more than 60 countries. The airport is a hub for global trade, handling a wide range of cargo from fresh produce to medical supplies.

Airports of arrival in Brazil

São Paulo International Airport

The São Paulo International Airport serves São Paulo, Brazil. It is the busiest airport in the nation in terms of cargo handled. The airport boasts a large air cargo terminal spanning 97,000 square meters. It handles over 474,000 tonnes of cargo per year.

Viracopos International Airport

The Viracopos International Airport serves the Campinas Municipality in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. It handles over 294,000 metric tonnes of cargo per year and is a hub for Azul Brazilian Airlines, Azul Cargo Express, and more.

RIOgaleão Airport

The RIOgaleão Airport is the main international airport that serves Rio de Janeiro in Brazil. It handles over 116,147 metric tonnes of cargo per year. The main cargo operators in the airport include Aerotranscargo, Atlas Air, Cargolux, LATAM Cargo Brasil, LATAM Cargo Chile, LATAN Cargo Colombia, Modern Logistics, Sky Lease Cargo, and Total Linhas Aéreas.

Why Ship From the United States to Brazil With iContainers?

Shipping cargo is influenced by various factors, including the season, shipment size, shipping method, and the starting and ending locations.

iContainers, with years of industry expertise, combines traditional freight forwarding services with modern technology to enhance your convenience. Our digital platform lets you manage every aspect of your shipment—from requesting a quote to booking and tracking your cargo—all from your mobile device.

Contact us for a free quote whenever you need it. We are always ready to assist you with the information you need.