Shipping to Brazil: the complete guide

Want to ship your products to Brazil? Sendcloud helps you get every parcel there affordably with strong carrier partners. But before you start, you probably have a few questions: what about customs, how long does delivery take, what does it cost, which goods are excluded, and how do you address a parcel correctly? This guide covers it all.

E-commerce in Brazil: sunny prospects for your revenue

Brazil is the number one e-commerce market in South America and around eleventh worldwide, a market of over 195 million people with steady annual growth. The most popular categories among Brazilian online shoppers are fashion and accessories, beauty and health, and hi-tech products. It's a great time to reach the market with your parcels.

What to keep in mind when shipping to Brazil

• Ship flexibly across leading carriers from one tool, and mind their delivery times

• Note each carrier's parcel size and weight limits

• Decide how important faster (and pricier) delivery is: choose express when needed, standard when there's time

• Automate and optimize with smart shipping rules to save time and money

• Pack securely but efficiently, within the carrier's size and weight limits

• Address the parcel to Brazil's country-specific requirements

• Make sure it contains no prohibited goods and carries all the required customs documents

• Keep customers informed with tracking, and make returns easy with a returns portal

The main carriers for shipping to Brazil

Sendcloud works with leading carriers, all with global logistics networks, to get your parcels to Brazil safely and as quickly as possible.

DHL

DHL offers various services with different transit times. Sizes: packet XS up to 2 kg (max. 35 x 25 x 3 cm), packet M up to 2 kg (max. 90 x 90 x 90 cm), and parcel up to 31.5 kg (max. 120 x 60 x 60 cm). With DHL Express, even larger maximum dimensions apply (up to 300 x 80 x 80 cm).

UPS

From pickup or drop-off at a UPS Access Point to handover to Brazil's postal service, UPS makes shipping to Brazil straightforward, with a choice of services. Limits: maximum 273 x 76 x 76 cm, girth (L + 2×W + 2×H) up to 400 cm, and weight up to 70 kg.

DPD

DPD delivers to Brazil, and DPD Express gets your parcel there fast. Sizes range from XS (max. 35 cm, shortest plus longest side) to XL (up to 300 cm girth), each up to 31.5 kg.

GLS

GLS offers flexible solutions with a focus on sustainability and service quality. Limits: maximum 200 x 80 x 60 cm, weight up to 40 kg, and girth up to 300 cm.

Who delivers locally?

Once your parcel reaches Brazil, the official postal service, Correios, takes over at the border. If a parcel can't be delivered, it's held for your customer at the nearest Correios branch.

How much does shipping to Brazil cost?

Cost depends on the carrier, the parcel's size and weight, the delivery speed, and any add-ons like insurance. With a free Sendcloud account you can compare carriers in the rate calculator, connect your own contracts, and benefit from pre-negotiated rates.

How long does delivery to Brazil take?

Delivery times to Brazil range from about 3 to 18 business days depending on the carrier and service. These are typical transit times, not guarantees.

How to address a parcel to Brazil

Address your parcel as in the example below, giving the destination country in capitals in English (BRAZIL) as well as your own language. It's important to include the state abbreviation next to the destination city, so Correios can route the parcel to the right region.

Sol da empresa (company)
João Da Silva (name)
Tomar sol estrada 255 (street and number)
SALVADOR-BA (city and state abbreviation)
40301-110 (postal code)
BRAZIL

Brazil's 26 states and one federal district use these official abbreviations:

Are there customs fees for shipping to Brazil?

The key point: from a goods value of US$50, the recipient pays 60% in import tax. Below US$50, the parcel is import-tax-free for the recipient. Brazil uses a simplified import procedure, the Simplified Taxation Regime (RTS), which applies when the goods value doesn't exceed US$3,000; above that, the more complex SISCARGA system applies. Within the RTS there's a US$500 line: below it, the import tax is paid by the recipient on receipt; above it, payment is handled in advance and a Simplified Import Declaration must be shown to the driver.

What customs documents does your parcel need?

Customs needs clear details about your parcel's contents. For Brazil you need a commercial invoice in duplicate, plus a customs declaration:

• Packets worth up to €350: CN22

• Packets worth over €350: CN23

• Parcels: always CN23

• CN22 is optional for letters containing printed matter and documents

Important: the customs documents for Brazil must be completed in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, and attached visibly to the outside of the parcel. As a commercial exporter, remember to include the HS (tariff) codes on your declaration. You'll also need an EORI number and the correct Incoterms on every commercial invoice.

Tips from other retailers shipping to Brazil

Customs fees and exchange rate: retailers often misjudge the customs fees. The duty-free threshold is given in US dollars, so watch the current exchange rate.

Shipping cost on the invoice: if shipping costs on the invoice aren't clear, Brazilian customs may treat them as part of the goods value, so present them clearly.

Value declaration: make it as easy as possible for customs. Realistic value declarations on the customs form are a must, so the officer can verify the value at a glance rather than having to investigate.

Splitting parcels: splitting an order across two parcels doesn't dodge the US$50 threshold. If two parcels worth US$30 each arrive the same day, customs sees a combined value of US$60, above the threshold, and taxes accordingly.

What's allowed in a parcel to Brazil?

It's easier to ask what's not allowed. Don't ship any of the following to Brazil, and if in doubt, contact the Brazilian customs authority:

• Dairy products / milk from China

• Pharmaceutical products without a license number

• Works of art

• Envelopes

• Personal belongings

• Animals

• Antiques

• Asbestos

• Cheques, coins, valid banknotes, and bearer securities

• Dangerous goods

• Firearms and parts

• Ivory

• Gambling items

• Precious metals and gemstones

• Pornography

Shipping tobacco, e-cigarettes, and alcoholic drinks to Brazil is heavily regulated: only businesses with a specific import license may receive them, and alcohol is completely prohibited for private individuals. Goods of plant origin need an original certificate and are inspected by the agricultural authorities, which can cause significant delays.

How Sendcloud helps you ship to Brazil

Shipping to Brazil is easy with a reliable partner. You benefit from the best carriers, flexible shipping options to close more sales, and smart shipping, automation, tracking, and returns services. Ready to start shipping to Brazil? Get in touch with us.