Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Curitiba
Curitiba is a major car-manufacturing location, close to the port of Paranaguá.
Services in Curitiba
- Air freight in CuritibaAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in CuritibaFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in CuritibaImport and export clearance by our in-house customs teams in 8 countries and by partner teams in the Ziem network.
Airports, seaports and connections in Curitiba
- AirportCuritiba Afonso Pena
CWB - SeaportParanaguá
Afonso Pena International Airport (CWB) in São José dos Pinhais, just south-east of Curitiba, serves the city and the state of Paraná and sits close to the region's main car plants. International air freight for Curitiba often connects via São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU) or Viracopos (VCP). For sea freight, the Port of Paranaguá on the Paraná coast is one of Brazil's main ports for containers, vehicles and agricultural bulk, and it is the natural port for Curitiba's industry. Ports in Santa Catarina, such as Itajaí and Itapoá, are alternatives.
The BR-277 runs from Curitiba down the Serra do Mar to Paranaguá, and a freight railway operated by Rumo also links the city with the port. The BR-116 (Régis Bittencourt) runs north to São Paulo and south towards Rio Grande do Sul, while the BR-376 leads south to Joinville and the Santa Catarina coast. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater Curitiba, including São José dos Pinhais, Araucária and the Curitiba Industrial City.
Industries in Curitiba and how we support them
Curitiba is one of Brazil's main automotive locations: Renault and Volkswagen-Audi build cars in São José dos Pinhais, Volvo produces trucks and buses in the city, and CNH makes agricultural machinery. Araucária has a refinery and chemical plants. Paraná is also a major agricultural state, exporting soy, grain and meat through Paranaguá. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills via CWB and São Paulo, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Courier for critical components and FCL or LCL via Paranaguá. Customs clearance is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Curitiba
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Afonso Pena International Airport (CWB) | Automotive parts, general cargo | Airport located next to the São José dos Pinhais car plants |
| Port of Paranaguá | Containers, vehicles, agricultural bulk | Main seaport for Paraná, linked to Curitiba by road and rail |
| Curitiba Industrial City and São José dos Pinhais | Cars, trucks, agricultural machinery | Inbound parts and tooling cleared in one shipment file |
Customs clearance in Brazil
Ziem network
Customs clearance in Brazil is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
For air freight to and from Brazil we issue our own air waybills.
Importers in Brazil need a CNPJ company registration and RADAR authorisation in Siscomex.
Frequently asked questions
Do you fly directly into CWB or via São Paulo?
Both are possible. Some international routings serve CWB, but many shipments connect via GRU or VCP and continue by air or road to Curitiba. We choose per shipment and confirm cut-off and arrival details with every booking.
Can you get urgent parts to a car plant in São José dos Pinhais?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out with customs data prepared in advance, or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part to the plant. Road delivery from the airport is arranged with trusted partners.
Do you collect exports from Curitiba on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for exports from Paraná. We collect in the Curitiba area and prepare the export documents in the same file.
Who clears imports arriving at CWB or Paranaguá?
Clearance with Receita Federal do Brasil is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures. We prepare the shipment data, the declaration is filed in Siscomex on that basis, and you deal only with Ziem Logistics.
Can machinery for a Curitiba plant benefit from duty reductions?
Brazil has mechanisms that can reduce import duty on machinery and equipment not produced locally, such as the ex-tarifário. Whether a specific item qualifies depends on its description and current listings, so we check the classification before shipment.
What does a Paraná importer need before the first shipment?
The importer needs a CNPJ company registration and RADAR authorisation in Siscomex. Regulated goods may need further approvals. Clearance depends on complete and consistent documents, which we review with you before departure.