Recife, Brazil
Customs clearance in Recife
Import and export clearance for shipments to and from Recife. Customs clearance in Brazil is handled by a partner team in the Ziem network, under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures.
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 |
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.
Clearance through the Ziem network in Brazil
In Brazil, customs entries are filed by a partner team in the Ziem network. They work under the Ziem Logistics brand and to our procedures; our operations desk prepares the shipment data and remains your contact for the whole shipment.
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.
Avoiding delays at customs
Most customs delays come from inconsistent documents: different values on invoice and packing list, missing HS codes or unclear goods descriptions. We review the documents against each other before departure, so the declaration in Brazil can be filed without queries.
Frequently asked questions
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.