Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Manaus
The Manaus Free Trade Zone has its own tax and customs incentives for manufacturers.
Services in Manaus
- Air freight in ManausAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in ManausFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in ManausImport 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 Manaus
- AirportManaus Eduardo Gomes
MAO - SeaportPort of ManausAmazon river
Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) is the main air gateway for the Amazon region and an important cargo airport, because much of the input material for the Manaus Free Trade Zone arrives by air. Components from Asia and other regions are flown in, often via São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU) or Viracopos (VCP), and finished goods are flown or shipped to the rest of Brazil. By water, the Port of Manaus on the Rio Negro is reached by ocean-going vessels and barges via the Amazon river, connecting the city with the Atlantic and with Belém.
Manaus has no reliable all-weather road link to southern Brazil: the BR-319 towards Porto Velho is largely unpaved, and the BR-174 runs north to Boa Vista and Venezuela. Most freight therefore moves by air, by river barge or by coastal shipping combined with river transport. We arrange pick-up and delivery in the Manaus area and the Industrial District, and plan multimodal routings by air, river and road.
Industries in Manaus and how we support them
The Manaus Free Trade Zone, administered by SUFRAMA, is one of Brazil's main manufacturing centres for consumer electronics, motorcycles, air conditioners and two-wheeler components. Plants in the Manaus Industrial District rely on imported components and work with tight production schedules, which makes air freight a central part of their supply chain. Ziem Logistics supports them with air freight on our own air waybills via MAO, Next Flight Out for line-down components and On-Board Courier for hand-carried parts. Customs clearance, including the specific requirements of the free trade zone, is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
Operational logistics facts for Manaus
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Manaus Eduardo Gomes International Airport (MAO) | Electronic components, motorcycle parts, general cargo | Main air cargo gateway for the Amazon region |
| Manaus Free Trade Zone (SUFRAMA) | Electronics, motorcycles, air conditioners | Tax and customs incentives for manufacturers in the zone |
| Port of Manaus (Rio Negro) | River and ocean shipping via the Amazon | Water access for heavy cargo where roads are limited |
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
Why is air freight so important for Manaus?
Manaus has limited road access, so many components for the free trade zone arrive by air, often via São Paulo. For production-critical parts we use Next Flight Out or an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the goods to the plant.
How do low river levels affect shipments to Manaus?
Between September and November, low water on the Amazon and Rio Negro can restrict river transport. During droughts more cargo shifts to air, so we plan capacity early and confirm routings with every booking.
Do you fly components into MAO on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for shipments to Manaus. We coordinate the connection via São Paulo where needed and the delivery to the Industrial District.
Who clears imports for plants in the Manaus Free Trade Zone?
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.
What is special about importing into the Manaus Free Trade Zone?
Companies with approved projects in the free trade zone can benefit from tax and duty incentives, which requires registration with SUFRAMA and correct documentation of each import. We align the shipment data with your SUFRAMA registration before the goods ship.
Can components be cleared in São Paulo and flown on to Manaus?
In many cases, imports for free trade zone companies are cleared in Manaus so that the zone's incentives apply. The right clearance point depends on the company's regime and the goods, and we plan it with you when the shipment is booked.