Shipping to Brazil follows the same process as shipping to any other country. You'll need to fill out customs documents. You'll also need to pay for shipping costs and pay attention to transit times. However, shipping to Brazil also comes with a few quirks. Having Brazil as your destination country makes shipping more expensive. In today's blog, we're giving you some pointers to making shipping to Brazil easier.
If you find yourself needing help at any point during the shipping process, please contact us. OptimalShip is here to help you with your shipment. It's what we do all day, every day. You can call us at 972.383.9901. There are no long hold times or repetitive pre-recorded messages when you call us. We know how annoying that is. Instead, a live agent will take your call and quickly assist you, so you can get on with your day.
Ship with OptimalShip and DHL
If you're new around here, you might not be aware of the benefits of shipping with us. Shipping to Brazil can get pricey. But OptimalShip partners with DHL to provide you with discounted shipping rates. If you regularly ship internationally, you'll save a lot of money with us. Call us today at 972.383.9901 to get started.
Brazil's Shipping Hubs
These are the most popular destinations for shipments to Brazil:
- Rio De Janeiro
- São Paulo
- Manaus
- Brasilia
- Salvador
Brazil has many jungles and big cities throughout it. So, your package will likely go through one of those hubs. This is true even if none of those cities are your final destination. It will be part of the transit to your final destination.
Brazil's Tariffs and Duties
We mentioned earlier that shipping to Brazil is more expensive. Part of that expense comes from higher duties, taxes, and tariffs. Brazil charges anywhere from 10% to 35% on import duties alone. Then there's the Industrialized Product Tax (IPI). This tax will apply to you if you're shipping heavy manufacturing items. The IPI ranges from 0% to 15%. This tax is in addition to import duties.
Tax ID Numbers
When shipping products to Brazil, the receiver’s Tax ID number is required. This is known as a CNPJ or CPF. The importer’s Tax ID is necessary, or there is a risk that the shipment will be delayed at customs. It is also possible that the package may be returned to the sender without the proper Tax ID.
A CNPJ is a company or corporate ID number. This is similar to an employer identification number in the US. A CPF is a Tax ID for an individual and is the equivalent of a social security number in the US.
Prohibited Items
Brazil doesn't allow for the following items to be imported or exported:
- Playing cards
- Gambling items
- Ivory
- Antiques
- Animal skins
- Computer software
Some of these restrictions might seem strange, but each country has a right to determine what is and isn't allowed within its borders. So, you can't ship an antique to your granddaughter who is studying abroad in Brazil. You'll have to wait for her to return to the States.
Shipping Time Frames
DHL ships most international packages in 3 to 5 business days, but that timeframe doesn't apply for shipping services to Brazil. Brazil is rife with jungles and remote towns. Once your package reaches a major hub like Rio De Janeiro, it could still take weeks to arrive at its final destination. Need a package in a remote village by Christmas? Ship it months early to ensure it arrives on time.
Need A Shipping Quote?
We can provide you with a quote for your shipment any time. We have a Quote Tool on our website. You can also call us at 972.383.9901. Either way, you can find out how much it would cost to send your shipment to Brazil. Keep in mind that it is only a quote. Until you are paying postage for your shipment, you won't have a definitive cost.
The Shipping Process
Brazil could be your thousandth shipment, or it could be your first. If you've never shipped before, you'll need to know how to ship internationally. Let's look at the steps involved.
Pack Your Shipment Properly
First, you'll need to properly pack your shipment. If you're shipping documents, you'll put them in an envelope. Ensure that the envelope has a little wiggle room. This will help prevent your package from bursting open.
If you're shipping goods, make sure the box has a couple inches to spare. Switch to a smaller box if there are more than a couple, though. You don't want your goods to get damaged from bouncing around in the box. Bubble wrap and packing peanuts can come in handy here.
Ship to the Correct Address
Second, ensure that all addresses are correct. This seems simple, but it's an easy mistake to make. This is especially true with foreign addresses. A wrong address when shipping to Brazil can have serious consequences. It could result in your package being forwarded or never getting to your destination at all.
Fill Out Customs Forms
Third, ensure that you have every customs form necessary for customs clearance. Make sure you fill out every form correctly. OptimalShip can help you fill out your customs forms to ensure that everything is done correctly.
Don't tape your customs documents to your package. Use a sleeve instead. This will allow everyone to view and replace each customs form without ripping, losing, or misplacing one. This will help speed up the customs clearance process.
Get Your Tracking Number
Fourth, get your tracking number when you send your shipment out. This will enable both you and your customer to see where your shipment is. This is especially helpful when shipping to Brazil because it can take so long.
Conclusion
Shipping to Brazil is a lot like shipping to any other country. But delivery timeframes are longer. This is because Brazil is a huge country with big cities. But it also has small, remote villages and lots of jungles. Those factors complicate the shipping process.
Not only that, but Brazil has higher taxes than many other countries. Their import duties range from 10% to 35% per shipment. If you're shipping heavy manufacturing items, you may also need to pay the IPI tax.
Finally, Brazil prohibits certain items like ivory and antiques from being exported or imported. Every country has the right to place limitations on what's imported and exported.
If you're shipping to Brazil, ship with OptimalShip and DHL. DHL offers the best international shipping available. International shipping can quickly add up. That's why we partnered with DHL to provide you with highly discounted rates on your international shipments.
Creating an account with us will give you access to our discounted rates. And the more you ship, the more you save. Visit our website or call us at 972.383.9901 to get started. If you're local to the Allen, Texas area, you can also visit us in person. We look forward to serving you!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to send a package to Brazil?
It's not possible for us to give you an exact number. There are too many variables. However, we can provide you with a quote. You can use our online quote tool or call us at 972.383.9901. We can quickly provide you with a quote over the phone.
Why is shipping to Brazil so expensive?
Shipping to Brazil costs more than shipping to some other countries. This is because there are higher taxes, duties, and tariffs. Taxes range from 10% to 35% per shipment. If you're shipping heavy manufacturing items, you may also need to pay the IPI tax. These costs quickly add up, making it expensive to ship to Brazil.
What is the cheapest way to send a package to Brazil?
The cheapest way to send a package to Brazil is through OptimalShip and DHL. DHL is the champion of international shipping. They offer the best service anywhere. Shipping internationally quickly adds up. That's why we encourage you to create an account with us. OptimalShip is partnered with DHL to provide you with discounted shipping rates.
What can you not send to Brazil?
The following items are prohibited:
- Playing cards
- Gambling items
- Ivory
- Antiques
- Animal skins
- Computer software
Your package won't make it past customs if you try to ship one of these items.
Does DHL deliver to Brazil?
Yes, DHL delivers to Brazil. However, the transit times are longer. DHL usually offers a standard 3 to 5 day timeframe. Is your package going to a big city like São Paulo or Manaus? It could arrive quickly. However, remote destinations take longer. Is your destination in a remote jungle? It could take weeks to get there. Brazil has a large logistics network, but the jungle is hard to get to.
