Brazil
Air freight, sea freight and customs in São Paulo
São Paulo is Brazil's economic centre; Guarulhos and Viracopos handle most of the country's air cargo.
Services in São Paulo
- Air freight in São PauloAir freight for time-critical and high-value cargo between Europe, the Americas and Asia.
- Sea freight in São PauloFCL and LCL sea freight on the main trade lanes, with pre-carriage and on-carriage by road or rail.
- Customs clearance in São PauloImport 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 São Paulo
- AirportGuarulhos
GRU - AirportViracopos
VCP - SeaportPort of Santos
São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU), north-east of the city, is Brazil's largest airport and its main international air cargo gateway, with a large cargo terminal handling imports, exports and temperature-sensitive goods. Viracopos International Airport (VCP) in Campinas, north-west of São Paulo, is the second major cargo airport and handles a high share of imports. Congonhas (CGH) serves domestic passenger traffic. For sea freight, the Port of Santos on the coast below the city is Latin America's largest container port and handles most of São Paulo state's trade.
The Anchieta and Imigrantes highways descend the Serra do Mar to the Port of Santos, while the Rodoanel Mário Covas ring road lets trucks bypass the city. The Presidente Dutra highway runs to Rio de Janeiro, the Bandeirantes and Anhanguera highways to Campinas and the interior, and the Castello Branco west to Sorocaba. MRS Logística freight rail connects the metropolitan area with Santos. We arrange pick-up and delivery across Greater São Paulo, including the ABC region and Guarulhos.
Industries in São Paulo and how we support them
Greater São Paulo is Brazil's economic centre. The ABC region, with Santo André, São Bernardo do Campo and São Caetano do Sul, hosts car and truck plants and their suppliers, while machinery, electrical equipment, chemicals and pharmaceuticals are produced across the metropolitan area. It is also the country's largest market for consumer goods and electronics. Ziem Logistics supports these supply chains with air freight on our own air waybills via GRU and VCP, Next Flight Out for production-critical parts, On-Board Courier for hand-carried items and FCL or LCL via Santos. 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 São Paulo
| Hub | Specialisation | Local advantage |
|---|---|---|
| São Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) | General cargo, pharma, electronics, Next Flight Out | Brazil's largest air cargo gateway with wide international airline choice |
| Port of Santos | FCL and LCL to and from Europe, Asia and the Americas | Latin America's largest container port, linked to São Paulo by highway and rail |
| ABC region industrial belt | Automotive, machinery, chemicals | Inbound parts and machinery cleared in one shipment file |
| Viracopos International Airport (VCP) | Import-oriented air cargo | Second major cargo airport within road distance of the city |
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
Which airport do you use for São Paulo shipments, GRU or VCP?
Both are used. GRU has the widest choice of international passenger and freighter flights, while VCP is strong for imports and some freighter routes. We choose per shipment based on routing, cargo type and delivery address, and confirm cut-offs with every booking.
Do summer storms affect air freight at São Paulo?
Heavy thunderstorms between December and March can cause flight delays and slow ground handling at GRU and VCP. For time-critical shipments in this season we plan buffer and keep the consignee informed if a flight is affected.
Do you ship pharma to São Paulo under temperature control?
Yes. We book temperature-controlled capacity with airlines that accept the product, agree packaging with the shipper and plan delivery from the GRU or VCP cargo terminal. ANVISA requirements are checked before the goods ship.
Who clears imports arriving at GRU, VCP or Santos?
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 does a São Paulo importer need before the first shipment?
The importer needs a CNPJ company registration and RADAR authorisation in Siscomex. Regulated goods such as medicines, medical devices or certain chemicals also need approvals from authorities such as ANVISA. Clearance depends on complete and consistent documents.
How does DUIMP change import clearance in Brazil?
Brazil is moving import declarations to the DUIMP in the Portal Único Siscomex, replacing the older import declaration step by step. It relies on accurate product data registered in advance, so we prepare product descriptions and tariff classification carefully before shipment.