Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Recife
Recife and the nearby port of Suape are the industrial hub of north-east Brazil.
Services in Recife
- Air freight in RecifeAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in RecifeFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in RecifeImport 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 Recife
- AirportRecife Guararapes
REC - SeaportSuape
Recife/Guararapes–Gilberto Freyre International Airport (REC), south of the city centre, is one of the main airports in north-east Brazil and handles international and domestic air cargo. Many international lanes connect via São Paulo/Guarulhos (GRU). For sea freight, the Port of Suape in Ipojuca, south of Recife, is the region's main industrial port, with container terminals, a refinery and shipyards inside the industrial port complex. The smaller Port of Recife in the city centre handles general cargo and bulk.
The BR-101 runs along the coast, linking Recife with Suape to the south and with João Pessoa and Natal to the north, and passing the Goiana industrial area. The BR-232 leads west into the interior of Pernambuco. Roads within the Suape industrial port complex connect the terminals with the factories. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater Recife, Suape and the Goiana area.
Industries in Recife and how we support them
Recife and the Suape complex form the industrial hub of north-east Brazil. Stellantis builds Jeep and other vehicles at its plant in Goiana, north of Recife, supported by a supplier park. Suape hosts the Abreu e Lima refinery, petrochemical plants and shipyards, while food and beverage producers serve the regional market. Recife is also home to the Porto Digital technology park. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills via REC, Next Flight Out for line-down parts, On-Board Courier for critical items and FCL or LCL via Suape. 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 Recife
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Recife/Guararapes International Airport (REC) | General cargo, automotive and industrial parts | Air gateway for Pernambuco and the north-east |
| Suape industrial port complex | Containers, refinery, petrochemicals, shipyards | Port and industry on one site south of Recife |
| Goiana automotive hub | Vehicle production and supplier park | Inbound parts and tooling 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
Do you fly into REC directly or via São Paulo?
Both are possible. Some international flights serve Recife directly, while many lanes connect via GRU. We choose per shipment and confirm cut-off and arrival details with every booking.
Can you supply the Goiana car plant area with urgent parts?
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 REC to Goiana is arranged with trusted partners.
Do you ship exports from Pernambuco on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills for exports from the Recife region. We collect from the shipper and prepare the export documents in the same file.
Who clears imports arriving at REC or Suape?
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 equipment for Suape's refinery or shipyards be cleared at the port?
Yes. Sea freight is normally cleared at Suape and delivered within the industrial port complex. For special regimes, such as those for oil and gas or shipbuilding, the company's registration must match the goods, which we check before shipment.
What does an importer in Pernambuco need?
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.