Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in Rio de Janeiro
Rio's offshore oil and gas industry needs urgent spare parts and equipment around the clock.
Services in Rio de Janeiro
- Air freight in Rio de JaneiroAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in Rio de JaneiroFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in Rio de JaneiroImport 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 Rio de Janeiro
- AirportRio de Janeiro-Galeao
GIG - SeaportPort of Rio de Janeiro and Itaguai
Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG), officially Antonio Carlos Jobim, on Ilha do Governador north of the city centre, is Rio's international airport and air cargo gateway, with a cargo terminal that handles imports for the oil and gas sector among other industries. Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) in the centre serves domestic passenger flights. By sea, the Port of Rio de Janeiro handles containers and general cargo, while the Port of Itaguaí on Sepetiba Bay, west of the city, handles containers and bulk. Offshore supply bases along the coast, notably in Macaé, serve the oil platforms.
The Presidente Dutra highway links Rio with São Paulo through the Paraíba Valley, and the BR-040 runs north to Petrópolis, Juiz de Fora and Belo Horizonte. The BR-101 follows the coast north to Macaé and Campos and south towards Angra dos Reis. The Arco Metropolitano ring road connects these highways with the Port of Itaguaí without crossing the city. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater Rio, Niterói and the industrial areas along the Dutra corridor.
Industries in Rio de Janeiro and how we support them
Rio de Janeiro is the centre of Brazil's oil and gas industry, with Petrobras headquartered in the city and offshore fields in the Campos and Santos basins operated from the state's coast. Shipyards, offshore service companies and engineering firms depend on imported equipment and spare parts. In the south of the state, steelmaking in Volta Redonda and vehicle plants in Resende and Porto Real add industrial demand. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills via GIG, Next Flight Out and On-Board Courier for urgent offshore spares, and sea freight via Rio or Itaguaí. 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 Rio de Janeiro
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International Airport (GIG) | Oil and gas spares, general cargo, Next Flight Out | International air cargo gateway for the state of Rio de Janeiro |
| Port of Itaguaí | Containers and bulk | Port reached via the Arco Metropolitano without crossing the city |
| Macaé offshore supply base | Oil and gas equipment for offshore platforms | Urgent spares routed by air and road to the supply base |
| Dutra corridor (Resende, Volta Redonda) | Steel, vehicles, components | Industrial pick-ups combined with air or sea freight in one 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
Can you get urgent offshore spare parts into Rio quickly?
Yes. We book Next Flight Out to GIG on the first suitable connection with customs data prepared in advance, or send an On-Board Courier who hand-carries the part. Onward road delivery to Macaé or other supply bases is arranged with trusted partners.
Do you ship oil and gas equipment to GIG on your own air waybills?
Yes. Ziem Logistics has direct airline access and issues its own air waybills. For heavy or oversized equipment we check dimensions and weight with the airline before booking, as some items need freighter capacity.
Do you handle dangerous goods for the offshore industry in Rio?
Yes, provided the goods are classified, packed and labelled correctly and the shipper's declaration is complete. Chemicals, batteries and pressurised items are common in this sector, so we check airline acceptance before booking.
Who clears imports arriving at GIG or the Port of Rio?
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 oil and gas equipment be imported under REPETRO?
REPETRO is Brazil's special customs regime for goods used in oil and gas exploration and production. Whether it applies depends on the company's registration and the goods. We align the shipment data with your REPETRO status before the goods ship.
What does an importer in Rio de Janeiro 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.