How to Ship from the US to Brazil: Complete 2026 Guide

Introduction

Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America and one of the most challenging international shipping destinations from the United States. With over 210 million people and a rapidly growing e-commerce market, Brazil offers enormous potential for US businesses and individuals looking to send packages internationally. However, Brazil is also notorious among international shippers for its complex customs system, high import taxes, and sometimes lengthy clearance processes.

Understanding Brazil's unique customs environment is essential before shipping. The country imposes some of the highest import duties in the world, and the customs process (known as desembaraço aduaneiro) can be slow and unpredictable. Packages may be held at customs for days or even weeks, and recipients are often required to pay substantial taxes before they can collect their shipments. Despite these challenges, millions of packages move from the US to Brazil every year, and with the right preparation, you can navigate the process successfully.

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of shipping from the US to Brazil in 2026, covering carrier options, realistic costs, the Brazilian tax system, customs requirements, and practical strategies to minimize headaches and expenses.

Best Carriers for Shipping to Brazil

USPS is the most commonly used service for personal shipments and small business orders to Brazil. Priority Mail International delivers in 6 to 10 business days, and Priority Mail Express International delivers in 3 to 5 business days. First-Class Package International Service handles items under 4 pounds. USPS hands off to Correios (the Brazilian postal service) for customs processing and final delivery. Be aware that once a package enters Correios' system, it may experience delays at Brazilian customs, which is outside USPS's control.

UPS offers UPS Worldwide Express (2-4 business days), UPS Worldwide Expedited (3-7 business days), and UPS Worldwide Saver to Brazil. UPS handles its own customs brokerage in Brazil, which can significantly speed up the clearance process compared to postal channels. UPS is a strong option for commercial shipments and high-value items.

FedEx provides FedEx International Priority (2-4 business days) and FedEx International Economy (4-7 business days) to Brazil. FedEx also has its own customs brokerage team in Brazil and offers FedEx International Priority Express for time-critical shipments. FedEx's tracking and customs capabilities make it popular for business shipments.

DHL Express delivers in 2 to 4 business days and is widely regarded as having the best customs clearance operation in Brazil among the express carriers. DHL's extensive experience navigating Brazilian customs makes it a preferred choice for businesses and individuals who want the most predictable delivery timeline.

Shipping Costs and Transit Times

Transit times above represent carrier estimates, but actual delivery times to Brazil can be significantly longer due to customs processing. Packages sent via postal services (USPS/Correios) may take 2 to 4 additional weeks at customs during busy periods. Express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL) generally clear customs faster because they handle brokerage themselves.

Customs, Duties, and Import Regulations

Brazil has one of the most complex and heavily taxed import systems in the world. Understanding the tax structure is critical.

Import Tax (Imposto de Importação): Brazil charges a flat 60% import duty on most goods shipped to individuals. This rate applies to the declared value of the goods plus shipping costs. There was previously an exemption for shipments under $50 between individuals, but this was largely eliminated for commercial shipments.

Remessa Conforme Program: In 2023, Brazil introduced the Remessa Conforme program, which allows registered e-commerce platforms to charge and remit import taxes at checkout. Participating platforms may qualify for reduced tax rates. As of 2026, the program covers participating international retailers, but individual shippers sending packages directly do not benefit from this program.

ICMS (State Tax): In addition to the 60% import duty, Brazil charges ICMS (Imposto sobre Circulação de Mercadorias e Serviços) at a rate of 17% to 20% depending on the state. ICMS is calculated on top of the value plus import duty, effectively compounding the tax burden.

Total Tax Burden Example: For a $100 item shipped to Brazil:

• Declared value: $100
• Import duty (60%): $60
• Subtotal: $160
• ICMS (~17%): ~$27
• Total taxes: ~$87 (87% effective tax rate)

This means a $100 item from the US could cost the recipient roughly $187 after taxes, not including shipping costs.

Customs Documentation: All shipments to Brazil require a detailed customs declaration with item descriptions in English and Portuguese if possible, declared values in USD, country of origin, and CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas, the Brazilian individual taxpayer identification number) of the recipient. Including the recipient's CPF on the customs form is essential, as Brazilian customs will not release packages without it.

De Minimis Threshold: Brazil's effective de minimis threshold for duty-free imports is very low. The 60% tax applies to most imported goods regardless of value for commercial shipments.

Tax Payment Process: When a package arrives at Brazilian customs, it is assessed and the recipient is notified of any taxes owed. For postal shipments through Correios, the recipient receives a notification (either physical or electronic via the Correios app/website) and must pay the assessed taxes online or at a Correios branch before the package is released for delivery. For express carriers, the carrier may pay the taxes on behalf of the recipient and collect reimbursement upon delivery, or contact the recipient in advance to arrange payment. This process is a significant source of delays and confusion, so setting clear expectations with your recipient about the tax payment process is important.

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Brazil has extensive import restrictions:

• Prohibited: Narcotics, weapons and ammunition (without federal police authorization), used clothing (for commercial import), used consumer goods (certain categories), products containing asbestos, and counterfeit goods.
• Restricted: Electronics (must have ANATEL certification for telecommunications devices), medications (require ANVISA approval; personal quantities with prescription may be allowed), food products (subject to ANVISA and MAPA regulations), cosmetics (require ANVISA registration for commercial import), vitamins and supplements (heavily regulated by ANVISA), alcohol and tobacco (excise duties and special permits required), and plants and animal products (require sanitary certificates).
• Brazil-Specific: Brazil's regulatory agency ANVISA exercises strict control over health-related products. Many US dietary supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter medications are not approved in Brazil and may be seized at customs. Used goods, including used clothing for commercial purposes, face additional restrictions.

Packaging Tips for International Shipments

Packaging for Brazil should be exceptionally robust. Brazilian customs inspection may involve opening packages, and packages may sit in customs warehouses for extended periods in varying conditions. Use strong double-walled boxes, wrap items thoroughly, and use waterproof inner bags for items sensitive to humidity, as warehouses in tropical Brazil may not be climate-controlled.

Brazilian addresses use the following format: recipient name (with CPF number noted separately on customs form), street name and number, complement (apartment, suite), neighborhood (bairro), city, state abbreviation (2 letters), CEP (postal code, 8 digits formatted as XXXXX-XXX), and "BRAZIL" as the country. Always include the recipient's phone number and CPF.

Include a printed packing list inside the box in addition to the customs documentation on the outside. Brazilian customs officers may compare the contents to the declaration, and having a clear internal list facilitates this process.

Tracking and Insurance Options

USPS provides tracking to Brazil, but once the package enters Correios' system, tracking updates may be limited and delayed. You can track through both USPS and Correios' website (rastreamento.correios.com.br) using the same tracking number. UPS, FedEx, and DHL provide more detailed tracking throughout the process, including customs clearance status.

Insurance is particularly important for shipments to Brazil given the lengthy customs process and high value of goods (including taxes). USPS includes up to $200 coverage for Priority services. UPS, FedEx, and DHL offer declared value coverage. For high-value items, third-party insurance is strongly recommended.

Be aware that if a package is held at customs and the recipient does not pay the assessed taxes within a certain timeframe (usually 30 to 60 days), the package may be returned to sender or auctioned by Brazilian customs. Express carriers will typically contact the recipient proactively to facilitate tax payment and clearance, which is another reason to prefer express services for valuable shipments.

How to Save on International Shipping

Use express carriers for valuable shipments: While express carriers cost more upfront, their faster customs clearance can save your recipient time and reduce the risk of packages being lost in the postal customs queue.

Use Atoship for rate comparison: Atoship's platform lets you compare rates across all major carriers for shipments to Brazil, potentially saving 20% to 40% on shipping costs. Given the high taxes recipients face, saving on shipping is especially valuable.

Keep shipment values reasonable: Given the 60%+ total tax burden, shipping many small high-value items may not be economical. Consider whether the total cost (product + shipping + taxes) makes sense for the recipient.

Include CPF on all shipments: Ensure the recipient's CPF number is clearly written on the customs form. Missing CPF numbers are the single most common reason for customs delays in Brazil.

Use accurate and detailed descriptions: Brazilian customs officers are thorough. Vague descriptions like "merchandise" or "samples" will trigger additional inspection and delays. Describe each item specifically.

Consider DDP when possible: For commercial shipments, Delivered Duty Paid allows you to prepay duties and taxes, so the recipient does not face a surprise tax bill. This can significantly improve customer satisfaction.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much tax will my recipient pay on a package from the US? Brazilian import taxes are approximately 60% import duty on the declared value plus shipping, plus an additional 17-20% state ICMS tax calculated on the value after import duty. The effective total tax burden is typically 80-90% of the declared value for most consumer goods.

How long does customs clearance take in Brazil? With express carriers (UPS, FedEx, DHL), customs clearance typically takes 1 to 5 business days. Through the postal system (USPS/Correios), clearance can take 1 to 4 weeks, and during peak periods it may take even longer. Having complete documentation including the recipient's CPF speeds up the process.

What is a CPF and why do I need it? CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's individual taxpayer identification number. It is an 11-digit number that Brazilian customs requires for all imported packages. Without the recipient's CPF on the customs form, the package will be held at customs indefinitely.

Is it worth shipping expensive items to Brazil? Consider that the recipient will pay roughly 80-90% of the item's value in taxes. A $200 item will cost the recipient approximately $360-$380 total including taxes (not counting shipping). For some items not available in Brazil, this is still worthwhile, but for goods available locally, it may not make financial sense.

What is the Remessa Conforme program and does it help me? Remessa Conforme is a Brazilian government program launched in 2023 that allows registered international e-commerce platforms to pre-collect taxes at checkout and receive expedited customs processing. Major platforms like AliExpress, Shein, and Amazon have registered. Individual shippers sending personal packages do not benefit from this program. However, if you sell through a registered marketplace that ships to Brazil, your customers may experience faster customs clearance and a more transparent tax process.

Can I send electronics to Brazil? Yes, electronics can be shipped to Brazil, but they are subject to the standard 60% import duty plus ICMS state tax. Additionally, certain electronics like cell phones and telecommunications equipment should have ANATEL (Brazil's telecommunications agency) certification if they are to be used on Brazilian networks. For personal use, customs may allow uncertified devices through, but commercial imports of electronics require ANATEL approval. High-value electronics are more likely to be inspected and assessed at customs, so accurate declarations are essential.