As the economic and trade relations between China and Brazil continue to deepen, container transportation, as one of the main logistics methods for bilateral trade, is playing an increasingly important role. This article will introduce the container transportation costs between the two countries in detail.
Shipping Container from China to Brazil
China and Brazil have close trade relations. Brazil is China’s largest trading partner in Latin America, mainly importing electronic products, mechanical equipment, chemical products, textiles, etc. Container transportation is the main logistics method for China-Brazil trade.
The transportation route usually departs from the coastal ports of China and arrives at the southeastern coastal areas of Brazil via the Cape of Good Hope route or the Panama Canal route. The average voyage is about 30 to 40 days
Main destination ports in Brazil:
- Porto de Santos: the largest port in Brazil, close to São Paulo, handling more than 30% of the country’s import and export goods;
- Porto do Rio de Janeiro: oriented to the southeastern market of Brazil;
- Porto do Itaqui: serving the northern region of Brazil;
- Port Paranaguá: suitable for grain, chemicals and other goods;
- Port Victoria and Port Fortaleza: oriented to the northeastern market, less used but with competitive prices.
Container Selection from China to Brazil
Container transportation from China to Brazil, full container is the mainstream mode, suitable for customers whose single-ticket cargo volume reaches the standard loading volume of a container. The cost is more cost-effective (low unit cost), the goods are loaded independently, the safety is higher, the customs clearance efficiency is faster, and it is suitable for bulk shipments.
Common container types include: 20GP (about 28CBM); 40GP (about 58CBM); 40HC (high cabinet, about 68CBM);
| Container type | Internal dimensions | Volume | Maximum loading weight | Suitable cargo types |
| 20ft container | 5.9 × 2.35 × 2.39m | About 33 cubic meters | About 28 tons | Heavy cargo, such as metal, stone, etc. |
| 40ft container | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.39m | About 67 cubic meters | About 28 tons | Light and bulky cargo, such as furniture, clothes, etc. |
| 40ft high container | 12.03 × 2.35 × 2.69 | About 76 cubic meters | About 28 tons | Large and light cargo, such as plastic products, equipment, etc. |
Learn more: How to Choose 20ft and 40ft Containers
Container Freight Composition from China to Brazil
Container transportation costs from China to Brazil mainly include the following aspects:
- Sea Freight: charged according to the size of the container;
- Local costs (port of departure): including trailer fees, customs clearance fees, document fees, port miscellaneous fees, etc.;
- Destination port fees: DTHC (destination port terminal handling fee), customs clearance agency fees, warehousing fees, etc.;
- Surcharges: such as peak season surcharge PSS, fuel surcharge BAF, currency adjustment CAF, etc.;
- Insurance: optional, insurance according to the value of the goods.
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Container from China to Brazil
Ocean freight rates from China to Brazil may fluctuate depending on the season, route, shipping company, etc. The distance between the port of origin and the port of destination has a huge impact on the shipping cost. Prices for different routes may vary depending on factors such as route, port accessibility, and geographical location.
Since a 40-foot container can carry twice as much cargo as a 20-foot container, the shipping cost of a 40-foot container is usually higher, but the freight rate per unit of cargo may be more favorable. The following is the approximate cost of container shipping between the two countries
| POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Brazil) | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shanghai | Santos | $3000 – $3500 | $4200 – $4800 |
| Shenzhen | Santos | $3300 – $3800 | $4200 – $5000 |
| Ningbo | Santos | $3000 – $3600 | $4100 – $4700 |
| Shanghai | Rio de Janeiro | $3200 – $4000 | $4500 – $5200 |
| Shenzhen | Rio de Janeiro | $3100 – $4000 | $4100 – $4700 |
| Ningbo | Rio de Janeiro | $2900 – $3500 | $4100 – $4800 |
| Shanghai | Itaqui | $3000 – $3600 | $4200 – $5000 |
| Shenzhen | Itaqui | $3000 – $3500 | $4400 – $5200 |
| Ningbo | Itaqui | $3300 – $4000 | $4200 – $4800 |
Read below for container shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to Canada
Cost of Shipping 20ft and 40ft Containers from China to USA
Special Cargo Shipping Instructions from China to Brazil
Special cargo transported to Brazil needs to confirm in advance whether it meets the requirements of the destination port, and prepare the corresponding documents and declarations:
Dangerous goods (DG):
- Provide MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet);
- Classify and declare according to IMDG rules;
- Some ports restrict the acceptance of certain types of dangerous goods.
Cold chain transportation (refrigerated cabinet):
- Mostly used for food, medicine, and chemical raw materials;
- Need to specify the constant temperature and book the refrigerated cabinet in advance;
- Provide health certificates, certificates of origin, cold chain tracking records, etc. when clearing customs.
Oversized/heavy cargo:
- Requires frame cabinets, open top cabinets or bulk ships;
- Apply to the shipping company for loading approval in advance (OOG cargo declaration).
Container Customs Clearance from China to Brazil
After the container arrives in Brazil, it needs to go through customs clearance procedures. , the following are customs clearance documents
Commercial invoice
Contains the description, quantity and value of the goods.
Packing list
Details the packaging and loading details of the goods.
Bill of lading
The transportation contract between the carrier and the shipper.
Certificate of origin
Document proving the origin of the goods.
Special documents
Depending on the type of goods, licenses, inspection and quarantine reports, etc. may be required.
You may also be interested in: Customs Clearance and Fees
This article shows that during the operation of container transportation from China to Brazil, multiple factors such as cargo volume, transportation mode, destination port selection, document compliance, cost budget and time management are comprehensively considered to ensure that the goods arrive at the destination smoothly, safely and efficiently.