Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Porto Alegre
Porto Alegre is the economic centre of southern Brazil, with links to Argentina and Uruguay.
Services in Porto Alegre
- Air freight in Porto AlegreAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in Porto AlegreFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in Porto AlegreImport 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 Porto Alegre
- AirportPorto Alegre Salgado Filho
POA - SeaportRio Grande
Salgado Filho International Airport (POA) is Porto Alegre's airport and the main air gateway for Rio Grande do Sul. During the severe floods of 2024 the airport was closed for several months, which showed how important alternative routings via São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU), Viracopos (VCP) or Florianópolis can be. For sea freight, the Port of Rio Grande on the southern coast of the state is the main container port, connected to Porto Alegre by road and by inland waterway through the Lagoa dos Patos.
The BR-116 runs north to Novo Hamburgo and Caxias do Sul and south towards Pelotas and Rio Grande, while the BR-290 heads west to Uruguaiana, the main road crossing into Argentina. The BR-386 leads north-west into the state's agricultural interior. Road links also connect the region with Uruguay. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater Porto Alegre, the Sinos Valley and the Serra Gaúcha around Caxias do Sul.
Industries in Porto Alegre and how we support them
Rio Grande do Sul combines agribusiness with manufacturing. Caxias do Sul is known for buses, trailers and auto parts, the Sinos Valley around Novo Hamburgo for leather and footwear, and General Motors builds cars in Gravataí. The Triunfo petrochemical complex and agricultural machinery producers add industrial demand, while soy, rice, tobacco and meat are major exports. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Courier for critical items and FCL or LCL via Rio Grande. 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 Porto Alegre
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Salgado Filho International Airport (POA) | General cargo, automotive and machinery parts | Air gateway for Rio Grande do Sul |
| Port of Rio Grande | FCL and LCL, agricultural exports | Southern Brazil's main container port |
| Uruguaiana border crossing | Road freight to and from Argentina | Direct road link to Mercosur partners |
| Caxias do Sul and Sinos Valley | Buses, trailers, auto parts, leather and footwear | Inputs and finished goods handled 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
What happens to air freight for Porto Alegre if POA is disrupted?
If POA is affected by weather or flooding, we reroute via GRU, VCP or Florianópolis and continue by road. Heavy rain is most frequent between April and June, so we keep alternative routings in mind for time-critical cargo in that period.
Do you fly cargo from Porto Alegre on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for exports from Rio Grande do Sul, usually connecting via São Paulo. We collect in the region and prepare the export documents in the same file.
Can you get urgent parts to a plant in Caxias do Sul or Gravataí?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out on the first suitable connection or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part to the plant. Road delivery from the airport is arranged with trusted partners.
Who clears imports arriving at POA or Rio Grande?
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.
How are road shipments from Argentina to Porto Alegre cleared?
Road freight from Argentina usually crosses at Uruguaiana and Paso de los Libres, where export and import formalities are handled. Mercosur certificates of origin can reduce duties when the goods qualify. We prepare the documents for both sides in advance.
What does an importer in Rio Grande do Sul need?
The importer needs a CNPJ company registration and RADAR authorisation in Siscomex. Some goods also need approvals from other authorities. Clearance depends on complete and consistent documents, which we review with you before departure.