Car, Boat & Heavy Equipment Shipping to Brazil
Brazil bans used-car imports — but classics over 30 years, new vehicles, machinery, and project cargo move every week. Direct service to Santos, Paranaguá, and Itajaí with honest landed-cost math upfront.
Brazil at a Glance
Space available- Shipping from
- $1,800+
- Ocean transit
- 15–25 days (East Coast)
- Arrival ports
- Santos · Paranaguá · Itajaí
- Import duty + VAT
- 35% II + IPI + ICMS (vehicles)
- Used vehicles
- Banned — classics 30+ exempt
No obligation · Response within 1 business day
Shipping to Brazil: What You Need to Know
Start with the rule that defines this lane: Brazil prohibits the import of used vehicles outright, a policy in force since the 1990s to protect domestic manufacturing. The workable paths are new vehicles, machinery, boats, and project cargo — plus one famous exception: collector vehicles over 30 years old can be imported under Brazil's classic-car regime. Santos, Latin America's largest container port, anchors the trade alongside Paranaguá and Itajaí in the industrial south.
Even eligible vehicles face one of the world's heaviest tax stacks: roughly 35% import duty (II) plus IPI, ICMS, and PIS/COFINS — the combined burden routinely exceeds 100% of vehicle value. That is why our biggest Brazil lane is machinery and project cargo for agribusiness, mining, and construction, where duties are far lower and Santos clears containers efficiently. We quote the full tax stack per unit before anything ships.
Key takeaway
Used cars cannot enter Brazil — period. Classics 30+ years import under the collector regime, and new vehicles pay ~35% duty plus IPI/ICMS (often 100%+ total). Machinery and project cargo remain the most cost-effective lane.
Shipping Routes & Transit Times to Brazil
| U.S. Departure Port | Arrival Port | Ocean Transit | Sailing Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami / Port Everglades, FL | Santos | 15–22 days | Weekly |
| New York / New Jersey | Santos | 16–24 days | Weekly |
| Houston, TX | Santos | 18–26 days | Weekly |
| Savannah, GA | Paranaguá | 18–25 days | Bi-weekly |
Transit times are port-to-port estimates and exclude export clearance and customs processing.
Shipping to Brazil from the Port of Savannah
Seaway Export is headquartered at the Port of Savannah, Georgia — one of the fastest-growing container ports in the United States and our primary export gateway. We run regular sailings from Savannah to Brazil, backed by departures from New York/New Jersey, Houston, and Los Angeles/Long Beach, so we can route your cargo on the lane that reaches Brazil fastest and at the best price.
Cars, SUVs, pickups & classic vehicles — container or RoRo
Boats, yachts & personal watercraft — cradled or lift-on/lift-off
Heavy equipment & machinery — flat rack, breakbulk or RoRo
What It Costs to Ship to Brazil
Indicative per-unit rates from U.S. ports. Your exact rate depends on vehicle dimensions, departure region, and current vessel space.
| Service | Typical Rate | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared container (consolidated) | $1,800 – $2,600 | Budget-friendly, waits for consolidation | Standard sedans & SUVs |
| Dedicated 20ft container | $3,100 – $4,400 | Fastest loading, single vehicle | High-value or classic cars |
| Dedicated 40ft container | $4,200 – $6,000 | Fits 2 vehicles or vehicle + cargo | Pairs, dealer lots |
| RoRo (roll-on / roll-off) | Custom quote | Drive-on service, no container | Running vehicles, trucks, machinery |
| Flat rack / breakbulk | Custom quote | For oversized & non-running units | Heavy equipment, boats |
Rates shown are indicative ranges from the U.S. East Coast and are confirmed at booking.
Estimate your landed cost to Brazil →Rates move with fuel surcharges and season. Get today's exact rate for your vehicle in under 1 hour.
Price My ShipmentBrazil Import Duties & Taxes
| Category | Import Duty | VAT / Tax | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Used vehicles | Banned | — | Import prohibited since 1990s |
| New vehicles | 35% | IPI + ICMS + PIS/COFINS | Total burden often exceeds 100% |
| Classic cars (30+ yrs) | 35% | Reduced stack | Collector regime, originality verified |
| Machinery & equipment | 0–14% | ICMS by state | Main commercial lane |
| Boats & yachts | 20% | IPI + ICMS | Type & length dependent |
Indicative rates for general guidance — final assessment is made by customs at arrival. Our team confirms the exact landed cost before you book.
Documents You'll Need
- Original vehicle title (Certificate of Title) — lien-free
- Bill of sale or commercial invoice
- Copy of passport or government ID
- U.S. AES export filing (we handle this)
- Import declaration at destination (we coordinate)
- Packing list for personal items, if any
Importing a classic into Brazil?
Vehicles over 30 years old in original configuration qualify for Brazil's collector exception — the only legal path for a pre-owned car. We document age and originality, secure the import license, and load in a dedicated container with full condition reports.
What We Ship to Brazil
Every cargo type has its own routing, loading method, and import path. Pick yours to see the exact process.
Cars, SUVs & Classics
Container or RoRo service into Brazil's main vehicle gateways, with full customs handling.
- Sedans, SUVs & pickups
- Classic & collector cars
- Motorcycles & ATVs
Heavy Equipment
Flat rack, breakbulk, and container loading for construction, agricultural, and industrial machinery bound for Brazil.
- Excavators & dozers
- Agricultural machinery
- Oversized project cargo
Boats & Yachts
Cradled container loading or lift-on/lift-off service for boats and personal watercraft headed to Brazil.
- Powerboats & sailboats
- Yachts & cruisers
- Jet skis & PWC
Container vs. RoRo to Brazil
| Feature | Container | RoRo |
|---|---|---|
| Personal items allowed inside | ||
| Non-running vehicles accepted | ||
| Lowest cost for running cars | ||
| Weather-protected transit | ||
| Multiple vehicles per booking |
Popular U.S. → Brazil Routes
Miami / Port Everglades, FL → Santos
15–22 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
New York / New Jersey → Santos
16–24 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Houston, TX → Santos
18–26 days ocean transit · Weekly departures
Savannah, GA → Paranaguá
18–25 days ocean transit · Bi-weekly departures
Step-by-Step: How Your Shipment to Brazil Moves
Quote & booking
Day 0Lock in your rate and vessel space. We confirm pickup windows and the best departure port for your route.
U.S. pickup & delivery to port
Days 1–7Door pickup from any auction, dealer, or residence. Condition photos taken at every handoff.
Export clearance & loading
Days 5–12AES filing, title validation with CBP (72-hour rule), professional loading, blocking, and bracing.
Ocean transit
15–25 days (East Coast)Regular sailings with full tracking from departure to arrival at Santos · Paranaguá · Itajaí.
Customs & handover
2–7 daysImport declaration, duty and tax payment, and release. Optional onward trucking to your final destination.
Buying from a U.S. auction? Read our step-by-step playbook before you bid.
Read the auction shipping guideFrequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about shipping to Brazil. Can't find the answer you're looking for? Contact our team.
No — Brazil prohibits used-vehicle imports outright, a policy in force since the 1990s to protect domestic manufacturing. The only exception is collector vehicles over 30 years old, which enter under Brazil's classic-car regime. For everything else the workable paths are new vehicles, machinery, boats, and project cargo. We'll tell you honestly whether your vehicle qualifies before you spend anything.
Vehicles over 30 years old in original configuration qualify for Brazil's collector exception — the only legal path for a pre-owned car. We document the age and originality, secure the import license, and load in a dedicated container with full condition reports. The collector regime carries a reduced tax stack versus new vehicles, but originality must be verifiable, so we confirm eligibility before booking.
Eligible vehicles face one of the world's heaviest tax stacks: roughly 35% import duty (II) plus IPI, ICMS, and PIS/COFINS, with the combined burden routinely exceeding 100% of vehicle value. The structure is designed to protect Brazil's domestic auto industry. That's why our biggest Brazil lane is machinery and project cargo, where duties are far lower. We quote the full tax stack per unit before anything ships.
Machinery and project cargo. For agribusiness, mining, and construction, equipment faces far lower duties (often 0–14%) than vehicles, and Santos — Latin America's largest container port — clears containers efficiently. It's our biggest and smoothest Brazil lane. We sail weekly from Miami, New York, and Houston to Santos, with Paranaguá serving the industrial south.
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