Brazil and the United States of America share a unique relationship. Historically, the US was the first country to recognise Brazil’s independence way back in 1822, and today they are the largest economies in their regions, giving them a shared interest both politically and economically. It should come as no surprise, then, that the USA is one of Brazil’s largest trading partners, second only to China.
It is therefore imperative to know how to ship goods from Brazil to the US. This guide will present you with all you need to know, including how much it can cost to ship from Brazil to the USA and how to find the cheapest option.
SeaRates.com offers a convenient platform that helps you find the best shopping routes, determine the right time of year to ship goods and request rates from freight forwarders.
When shipping from Brazil to USA, you are likely to consider sending your good by sea or by air.
How long does it take to ship from Brazil to the USA by sea?
The ports of origin and destination dictate how long sea freight will spend in transit. Shipping between Brazil and the south or east coast will be quicker than shipping to the west coast. Bearing that in mind, when shipping from the USA from Brazil, you can expect shipments to take between 21 to 53 days.
There are two main options when shipping from Brazil to the United States by sea:
Less-than-container load (LCL)
LCL shipping is a cost-efficient option for low-volume consignments that are not big enough to fill a whole container. LCL shipments are pooled with other transporters and only depart the port when the container is full, potentially adding time to the shipment’s totally journey.
Full-container load (FCL)
FCL shipping is best for large, high-volume shipments that fill at least one container. It is relatively low-risk and cost-effective for shippers, with the container being unloaded only when it arrives at its destination.
FCL shipping
| Port of Origin | Port of Destination | FCL |
| Santos | Miami | 21 days |
| Santos | New York | 21 days |
| Santos | Philadelphia | 21 days |
| Santos | New York | 21 days |
| Santos | Los Angeles | 29 days |
| Santos | Houston | 31 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | Miami | 53 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | Houston | 50 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | Los Angeles | 54 days |
LCL shipping
| Port of Origin | Port of Destination | LCL |
| Santos | Miami | 45 days |
| Santos | New York | 29 days |
| Santos | Philadelphia | 35 days |
| Santos | Houston | 42 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | Miami | 53 days |
| Santos | San Francisco | 51 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | New York | 37 days |
| Rio de Janeiro | Houston | 50 days |
Air freight
Significantly quicker than shipping by sea, shipping by air often takes between one or two weeks, dependant on the route.
For example:
- Rio de Janeiro to Miami: 7 days
- Rio de Janeiro to Houston: 6 days
- Sao Paulo to San Francisco: 10 days
- Sao Paulo to New York: 10 days
- Sao Paulo to Philadelphia: 10 days
- Sao Paolo to Atlanta: 10 days
20ST and 40ST rates from Brazil to the USA
Here’s your guide to shipping rates for the major routes between Brazil and the USA. You can contact one of our account managers or visit SeaRates.com for the latest rates.
*Actual rates up to 31 May 2021.
| CURRENCY | 20ST* | DESTINATION/DIRECTION | TRANSIT TIME |
| USD | 550 | Pecem-Buenos Aires | 18 days |
| USD | 2495 | Pecem-Charleston | 16 days |
| USD | 2660 | Santos-Charleston | 24 days |
| USD | 2440 | Santos-Port Everglades | 27 days |
*Actual rates up to 31 May 2021.
| CURRENCY | 40ST* | DESTINATION/DIRECTION | TRANSIT TIME |
| USD | 578 | Pecem-Buenos Aires | 18 days |
| USD | 2826 | Pecem-Charleston | 16 days |
| USD | 2982 | Santos-Charleston | 24 days |
| USD | 2774 | Santos-Port Everglades | 27 days |
When is the best time to ship from Brazil to USA?
The global shipping industry reaches its peak in late summer heading into the autumn in the northern hemisphere, making October a busy time for most markets.
In Brazil, container space can become difficult in October because this is also the time of year when coffee exports are high. To find the cheapest shipping from Brazil to the USA, our Online Freight Marketplace allows you to check rates and availability and get quotes from freight forwarding companies.
As the world’s largest coffee exporter, Brazil’s coffee crops are harvested from June through September. As one of the few commodities that are shipped in containers rather than bulk, this often means there is fierce competition for space on container ships and extended delays for exporters.
What does shipping from Brazil to the USA cost?
Shipping costs between Brazil and the US are based on several factors: the port of origin and its destination, the specific time of year when shipping, carrier availability and more.
Other factors include the nature of the goods, chosen method of transport (LCL shipping, FCL shipping or air freight), weight and dimensions, and the length of the shipping journey. Small shipments that don’t weigh very much might be affordable to ship by air, while large, heavy shipments are almost always cheaper by sea.
Our Online Freight Marketplace makes it easy for you to find available routes on any given date by land, air or sea. SeaRates provides you with access to competitive freight rates from around the world, direct from global freight forwarding companies. This helps you find the cheapest shipping from Brazil to USA so you can keep costs down and increase efficiency.
Reduce cargo costs by optimising load packing
When it comes to shipping cargo, efficiency is king. With that in mind, it is critically important to make the most of container space to save on transportation costs. Our Load Calculator tool allows you to enter your shipment details so you can view a 3D simulation of how the goods will be placed inside the container. This lets you optimise your packing, reduce costs and get the most out of your shipment.
Handling customs authorization when shipping from Brazil to USA
Shipping goods from Brazil to the US involves strict customs clearance procedures. The process can be intimidating for any business, which is why many companies choose to hire a freight forwarder that will provide expertise and guidance from start to finish. A good freight forwarder can help to avoid delays and ensure compliance with all of the rules and regulations.
A forwarder will let you know which documents you will need to provide when shipping goods. This often means producing the following:
- A commercial invoice
- A packing list
- A certificate of origin
- A letter of credit or other payment terms
- A bill of lading for ocean freight or an airway bill for air freight
You also need to provide licenses, permits or certificates for goods to clear customs. Again, a freight forwarder can advise you on what you will need and guide you through the process.
How to insure your container
Any time cargo is shipped from one place to another, it is important to get cargo insurance. Going without it is not advised, as you could risk a significant loss if something goes wrong. In fact, it’s the only protection you have when your shipment is damaged or suffers a loss, so we always recommend taking our insurance.
We can help you find the right insurance policy for your needs through our Online Freight Marketplace. Get quotes for cargo insurance cover from across the market.
What are the major shipping ports in Brazil?
Santos
Located on the coast roughly 31 kilometres from Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, Santos is the largest shipping hub in Latin America and the busiest in the country. It serves over 25 states in Brazil and is responsible for nearly 30% of Brazil’s foreign trade.
Paranagua
Paranagua is Brazil’s largest port for exporting agricultural products. As one of the world’s largest producers of soybeans, Paranagua focuses heavily on the export of soybeans and soybean meal.
Porto de Rio Grande
Unlike Paranagua, which is extremely busy and operating at capacity, Rio Grande has room for growth. The port can handle the largest vessels and processes a high volume of exports.
Port of Salvador
This port is the main hub for the state of Bahia and sits in a sheltered harbour. With multiple road and rail connections, it processes many of the country’s major imports, including foods, chemicals and equipment.
Rio De Janeiro
As the third-busiest port in the country, Rio de Janeiro is one of the main hubs for high-value goods such as iron ore, coal and oil.
What are the major shipping ports in the United States of America?
With a coastline 95,471 miles long, the US has several shipping hubs that integrate its supply chains with the rest of the world.
Los Angeles
As the largest port in the US, the Port of Los Angeles covers 7,500 acres of land and hands around 20% of the nation’s cargo.
Long Beach
Given California’s location, it is a major centre of transpacific trade, which is why the second-busiest port in the US sits next to the Port of Los Angeles. Long Beach generates an import/export value of over $180bn each year.
Port of New York and New Jersey
The third-busiest port in the US, the Port of New York and New Jersey handles trade in excess of $200bn annually, making it the busiest port on the east coast.
Savannah
Located inland on the Savannah River in the state of Georgia sits the biggest single-terminal container port in the western hemisphere. Complete with its interstate transport links, this terminal is a good choice for shipping across the eastern and midwestern states.
Miami
The largest passenger port in the world, the Port of Miami serves more than just cruises. Geographically the closest US port to Brazil, its status as the ninth-largest container hub in the US and its southern Florida location makes it a good choice for shipping to Brazil.
ENDS
