Import from Brazil to the EU

The total cost of importing from Brazil to the EU is determined by several key components that must be factored into any profitability analysis.

Ocean Freight

Sea freight from major Brazilian ports (Santos, Paranaguá, Rio Grande) to European ports (Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp) is the primary logistics cost. Indicative freight rates:

• 20' container (FCL): USD 1,800–3,500 (depending on season and port pair)
• 40' container (FCL): USD 2,500–5,000
• Less than Container Load (LCL): USD 80–150 per cubic meter
• Air freight: USD 3.50–7.00/kg (for urgent or high-value shipments)

Customs Duties and Taxes

EU tariff rates on goods from Brazil vary by product category under the Common External Tariff:

• Green coffee: 0% duty
• Roasted coffee: 7.5%
• Orange juice: 12.2–15.2%
• Beef: 12.8% + specific duty per kg (subject to tariff-rate quotas)
• Soybeans: 0% (beans), 6.4% (soybean oil)
• Automotive parts: 3–4.5%
• Footwear: 8–17%

Import VAT is applied on top of the CIF value plus duties — the rate varies by EU member state (e.g., 21% in the Netherlands, 19% in Germany, 20% in France). The EU-Mercosur agreement will progressively eliminate tariffs on approximately 92% of tariff lines over 10–15 years.

Additional Costs

• Customs brokerage: €150–500 per declaration
• Terminal Handling Charges (THC): €150–300 per container
• Cargo insurance: 0.3–0.8% of goods value
• Port storage (if delayed): €30–80 per container/day after free time

Importing goods from Brazil into the EU is governed by the Union Customs Code (UCC) and supplemented by the EU-Mercosur trade agreement, which introduces significant preferential treatment.

EU Common External Tariff

All goods imported from Brazil are subject to the EU's Common External Tariff as defined in the TARIC database. Tariff rates are determined by the Combined Nomenclature (CN) code of the product. As a WTO member, Brazil benefits from Most Favoured Nation (MFN) treatment, while the EU-Mercosur agreement provides additional preferential rates.

EU-Mercosur Agreement Benefits

The EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement, covering Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and Paraguay, provides for:

• Duty elimination on 92% of industrial goods imported from Mercosur into the EU
• Tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) for sensitive agricultural products (beef, poultry, sugar, ethanol)
• Partial duty reduction on agricultural goods within negotiated quotas
• Customs facilitation through mutual recognition of certifications and streamlined procedures

Rules of Origin

To benefit from preferential tariff rates, goods must satisfy the rules of origin set out in the agreement. Proof of origin may be provided as:

• An EUR.1 movement certificate issued by Brazilian customs authorities
• An origin declaration on the invoice for consignments up to €6,000
• A statement from a Registered Exporter (REX system)

Sanitary and Phytosanitary Controls

Agricultural and food products from Brazil are subject to rigorous inspections at designated Border Control Posts (BCPs) in the EU. The EU requires compliance with SPS standards including Maximum Residue Levels (MRLs) for pesticides, GMO labelling requirements, and food safety standards under Regulation (EC) 178/2002. Brazil's export control programmes (e.g., SIPAG for plant products) are partially recognized by the EU, which can expedite certain inspections.

Complete and accurate documentation is essential for smooth customs clearance of Brazilian goods at the EU border. Below is a comprehensive list of required documents.

Core Documents

• Commercial Invoice: must include full details of seller and buyer, goods description, quantity, unit price, total value, delivery terms (Incoterms), and currency of transaction
• Packing List: detailed breakdown of each package's contents, net and gross weights, and dimensions
• Bill of Lading (B/L): or Air Waybill (AWB) for air freight — the transport document confirming shipment of goods
• Certificate of Origin: issued by a Brazilian Chamber of Commerce or authorized body — required for preferential tariff treatment

EU Customs Documents

• Customs Declaration (SAD): Single Administrative Document filed electronically through the national import system
• EORI Number: Economic Operators Registration and Identification number, mandatory for all EU importers
• Customs Value Declaration: required for consignments exceeding €20,000 in value

Product-Specific Documents

• Phytosanitary Certificate: for plant products — issued by Brazil's MAPA (Ministry of Agriculture)
• Veterinary Health Certificate: for animal products — confirming compliance with EU health requirements
• FLEGT Licence: for timber and wood products, proving legal harvesting
• REACH Registration: for chemical substances imported into the EU
• CE Declaration of Conformity: for machinery, electrical, and electronic equipment
• Fumigation Certificate: confirming treatment of wooden packaging materials per ISPM 15

Insurance and Financial Documents

• Cargo Insurance Policy: covering transit from port of origin to final destination
• Letter of Credit (L/C): recommended for first-time transactions with new suppliers to protect both parties

Delivery times from Brazil to Europe depend on the mode of transport, ports of loading and discharge, and available shipping connections.

Ocean Freight — Main Routes

The vast majority of goods from Brazil reach Europe by sea. Below are indicative transit times for the most popular routes:

• Santos → Rotterdam: 18–22 days
• Santos → Hamburg: 20–24 days
• Santos → Antwerp: 19–23 days
• Paranaguá → Rotterdam: 19–23 days
• Rio Grande → Rotterdam: 20–25 days
• Salvador → Rotterdam: 15–19 days
• Manaus → Rotterdam: 22–28 days

Transshipment and Intra-European Transport

If goods arrive at a Western European hub port before being forwarded to their final destination, additional time must be added:

• Transshipment at hub port: 1–3 days
• Feeder vessel to secondary ports: 2–5 days
• Inland haulage from port to warehouse: 1–3 days
• Customs clearance: 1–5 days (depending on document completeness and inspection outcomes)

Air Freight

For urgent or high-value shipments, air freight is available:

• São Paulo (GRU) → Frankfurt (FRA): 12–14 hours direct flight
• São Paulo (GRU) → Amsterdam (AMS): 11–13 hours direct flight
• Customs clearance at airport: 1–3 days
• Total time from dispatch to delivery: 3–7 days

Factors Affecting Delivery Time

When planning imports from Brazil, account for factors that may extend delivery: seasonal port congestion (especially during soybean harvest season, February–May), Atlantic weather conditions, customs delays due to incomplete documentation, and phytosanitary inspections for agricultural products. We recommend planning with a buffer of 5–7 days beyond standard transit times.

Based on years of experience handling imports from Brazil, we've identified the most frequent and costly mistakes that importers make.

1. Incorrect Tariff Classification

Assigning the wrong CN code to a product is one of the most common errors. An incorrect tariff code can result in overpaid or underpaid duties, and if discovered during an audit, penalties and back-duty payments. This is particularly problematic for processed Brazilian products where the line between raw material and finished good codes is blurred (e.g., green vs. roasted coffee, fruit pulp vs. concentrate).

2. Incomplete Documentation

Missing certificates of origin, expired phytosanitary certificates, or discrepancies between the invoice and bill of lading are frequent causes of cargo holds at the border. Every day a container is delayed at port incurs demurrage charges of €50–150/day. All documents must be verified for completeness and consistency before shipment.

3. Failing to Verify the Supplier

Importing from Brazil without proper supplier due diligence carries risks of receiving off-spec goods, shipment delays, or outright fraud. We recommend checking the supplier in Brazil's CNPJ registry (the Brazilian business register), requesting samples before placing large orders, and considering a Pre-Shipment Inspection (PSI) for high-value consignments.

4. Ignoring EU Sanitary Requirements

Food and agricultural products from Brazil must comply with strict EU requirements. Importing beef from non-EU-approved establishments, exceeding MRL limits for pesticides in fruit, or failing to meet labelling requirements can result in import refusal and destruction of goods at the importer's expense.

5. Poor Payment Terms

Agreeing to full advance payment (TT in advance) with an unverified supplier is a risky strategy. For initial transactions, we strongly recommend using a documentary Letter of Credit (L/C), which protects both parties. It's also important to agree on clear Incoterms — FOB (Brazilian port) or CIF (European port) are generally most favourable for the importer.

6. Underestimating Total Landed Cost

Importers frequently calculate only the product price and freight, overlooking customs brokerage fees, terminal handling charges, insurance, storage costs, and import VAT. A proper calculation should account for all costs to warehouse (total landed cost) to accurately assess transaction profitability.