With the continuous development of the global supply chain, trade between China and Latin American countries, especially Brazil, has become increasingly close. Logistics costs play a vital role in China-Brazil trade. This article will introduce the logistics costs from China to Brazil in detail to help companies improve efficiency and profit margins.

Introduction to Brazil
Brazil is the largest country in Latin America. In recent years, with the rapid development of e-commerce, manufacturing and retail industries, the demand for logistics and supply chains has risen sharply. The following goods are mainly imported from China:
- Electronic products (mobile phones, computer accessories, home appliances)
- Machinery and equipment (industrial equipment, auto parts)
- Textiles and clothing (ready-made clothes, footwear)
- Chemical products (plastic products, rubber)
- Toys and daily necessities
How to Ship from China to Brazil
In actual transportation operations, sea and air transportation are the two most common methods, each with its own advantages and disadvantages, suitable for different types of goods and demand scenarios.
Sea Freight
Sea freight is the most common mode of transportation, with low cost and suitable for large-volume and heavy cargo transportation. In particular, full container (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) transportation are much lower in unit cost than air transportation. 20-foot and 40-foot containers can meet the loading needs of bulk goods, with strong adaptability and few restrictions on the types of goods.
Air Freight
Air freight is an ideal choice for time-sensitive transportation. It is fast and suitable for goods with high timeliness requirements. It has high customs clearance efficiency. The customs clearance process for air cargo at major airports in Brazil is relatively simple, with high cargo safety, short voyage, precise operation, and low cargo damage rate. However, the cargo volume is limited and it is not suitable for oversized cargo or heavy equipment.
Key Factors Affecting Shipping Costs
The cost of transporting from China to Brazil is not only determined by the mode of transportation, but also affected by many factors:
- Cargo volume and weight: Ocean transportation is charged by volume or weight (the larger value), and air transportation is calculated by actual weight or volume weight.
- Route selection: Direct flights are more expensive but faster than transit.
- Cargo attributes: Dangerous goods and oversized goods must undergo special treatment and are subject to additional charges
- Destination port and inland distribution distance: The domestic railway system has not yet been fully modernized, inland transportation still relies on trucks and roads, and inland cities have high costs.
- Difficulty of customs clearance: Brazilian customs inspection is strict, and delays may increase storage fees
- Peak and off-season: Transportation peaks around Christmas and Brazilian Carnival, and costs fluctuate greatly.
- Exchange rate and policy fluctuations: Changes in the exchange rate of RMB to Brazilian real will indirectly affect logistics costs.
Shipping Cost from China to Brazil
The cost of transport from China to Brazil mainly includes the following parts:
Domestic costs
- Inland transportation costs in China (from factory to port)
- Export customs clearance fees, document fees
- Warehousing, trailer fees
International transportation costs
- Ocean freight (FCL or LCL), air freight
- Bunker surcharge (BAF), peak season surcharge (PSS)
Destination port costs
- Unloading fees, customs clearance fees, port miscellaneous fees
- Taxes (tariffs, VAT)
Domestic logistics in Brazil
- Inland truck transportation costs
- Warehousing and distribution costs (especially in the north and central regions)

Sea Freight Cost from China to Brazil
Sea shipping is more suitable for bulk, heavy goods or non-urgent orders. It is mainly divided into full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL), but the destination port surcharge is high. The overall delivery time is 35-50 days. The cost structure includes trailer fees, ocean freight, customs declaration fees, destination port fees and customs clearance fees. With low cost and large loading capacity, it is the most commonly used transportation method for exporters.
POL (Port of China) | POL (Port of Brazil) | LCL Shipping Cost | 20ft Container Cost | 40ft Container Cost |
---|---|---|---|---|
Shanghai | Santos | $90–$130/CBM | $3000 – $3500 | $4200 – $4800 |
Shenzhen | Santos | $100–$160/CBM | $3300 – $3800 | $4200 – $5000 |
Ningbo | Santos | $85–$140/CBM | $3000 – $3600 | $4100 – $4700 |
Shanghai | Rio de Janeiro | $95–$155/CBM | $3200 – $4000 | $4500 – $5200 |
Shenzhen | Rio de Janeiro | $80–$150/CBM | $3100 – $4000 | $4100 – $4700 |
Ningbo | Rio de Janeiro | $90–$135/CBM | $2900 – $3500 | $4100 – $4800 |
Shanghai | Itaqui | $80–$140/CBM | $3000 – $3600 | $4200 – $5000 |
Shenzhen | Itaqui | $90–$145/CBM | $3000 – $3500 | $4400 – $5200 |
Ningbo | Itaqui | $90–$130/CBM | $3300 – $4000 | $4200 – $4800 |
Air Freight Cost from China to Brazil
Air freight is suitable for goods with high timeliness, high value and small volume. The unit price of air freight from China (Guangzhou/Shanghai/Hong Kong) to Brazil depends on the weight, route and whether it is a direct flight. The cost includes air freight, fuel surcharge, security fee, pick-up and customs clearance fees, etc. Although the price is high, the transportation time is fast (usually 5-9 days)
Departure Airport (China) | Arrival Airport (Brazil) | Cost Range (USD/kg) |
Shanghai Pudong | Sao Paulo | $5.0 – $9.6 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Sao Paulo | $5.0 – $9.8 |
Beijing Capital | Sao Paulo | $5.5 – $9.8 |
Shanghai Pudong | Rio de Janeiro | $5.5 – $10.0 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Rio de Janeiro | $5.0 – $9.5 |
Beijing Capital | Rio de Janeiro | $5.5 – $9.8 |
Shanghai Pudong | Brasilia | $5.0 – $8.8 |
Guangzhou Baiyun | Brasilia | $6.5 – $10.0 |
Beijing Capital | Brasilia | $5.0 – $9.6 |
Read below for shipping costs to other countries to help you understand more:
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to Canada
How Much Does it Cost to Ship from China to USA
Duties and Taxes for Shipping from China to Brazil
Duties and taxes are a big factor that makes shipping goods from China to Brazil more expensive. Import duties in Brazil fluctuate widely, but are generally between 0% and 35%, depending on the type of goods. In addition, imported goods are subject to a Value Added Tax (VAT), which is between 17% and 25% according to Brazilian government regulations.
Product Category | Import Duty (%) | VAT (%) |
Electronics | 16 | 18 |
Textiles | 35 | 18 |
Machinery | 14 | 18 |
Automotive Parts | 18 | 18 |
Toys | 35 | 18 |
Pharmaceuticals | 0 | 18 |
Consumer Goods | 20 | 18 |
Strategies to Reduce Cost from China to Brazil
Use the following strategies to reduce logistics costs from China to Brazil:

Avoid peak season shipments
Avoid peak seasons and holidays to reduce surcharges
Use DDP services
Avoid customs clearance delays and fines.
Prepare for customs clearance in advance
Ensure that documents are complete to reduce demurrage fees.
Work with reliable freight forwarders
Strive for long-term negotiated prices.
Optimize packaging and consolidation
Use lightweight design to reduce volume weight, or share freight costs through LCL (less than container load).
Use free trade agreements
Reduce tariffs through the China-Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) free trade agreement (tariffs on some goods are reduced to 0).
Although international transportation from China to Brazil is far away and complicated, this article provides an efficient and economical logistics solution. As China-Brazil trade becomes increasingly close, companies that master the key points of logistics costs will gain more advantages in international market competition.
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