Published by Chris Townsend
Last updated Dec, 23 2025
How Much Does Shipping a Container Cost to Brazil?
Shipping a container to another country can be quite a hassle. You face different laws and customs regulations. Three Movers will be there to ensure your receptacle gets to Brazil without a hitch. We will provide you with the right size crates to fit all the items. Because of our experience in international shipping, we are uniquely qualified to advise you on the duties you may expect on arrival in Brazil.
Factors That Affect the Price
When Three Movers sends you the quote for hauling to Brazil, you may wonder what factors led to that amount. Carrying costs depend on five primary factors: the transport type, distance, the time of the year, the weight and volume of the items, and the destination port.
While most of these factors are self-explanatory, you may wonder what time of year affects prices. August, September, January, and February mark the high season for international carriage. If you can, make sure to schedule your shipping date outside of these months.
Each port has service and custom fees that will affect the expense of sending your container. The professionals at Three Movers will guide you to the most convenient destination port from your origin port, minimizing costs without inconveniencing you.
Other additional factors that may affect the relocating Price include:
- Insurance: There are risks associated with shipping a receptacle overseas, and insurance ensures you will be compensated if anything happens.
- Custom fees: Once your crate is in Brazil, it will be subjected to terminal handling charges and port service fees.
- Inspections: While only a small percentage of containers are physically inspected, yours may be chosen for inspection. The charges incurred will be added to your cost in such a case.
- General Rate Increase (GRI): These rates fluctuate based on operational prices. Consider the rates when choosing your shipping date.
Average Container Shipping Rates Estimates
FCL shipping is best for transporting lots of boxes, pallets, and anything that requires a full container haulage to Brazil of up to 45,000 lbs.
Full Container Load (FCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| 20 ft Container | $790 |
| 40 ft Container | $850 |
LCL shipping is a more affordable way to transport less than container load shipments to Brazil.
Less Than Container (LCL) Shipping Rates | |
|---|---|
| LCL | $19/CBM |
| Personal Effects | $240 |
| Household Goods | $280 |
International House moving to Brazil services - quick, easy, and cheap.
International House Moving Costs | |
|---|---|
| Partial House (2000Lbs & Less) | $180 |
| 1 Bedroom (3850 Lbs) | $1550 |
| 2 Bedroom (4500 Lbs) | $1850 |
| 3+ Bedroom (8750 Lbs) | $2400 |
International auto transport services to Brazil via RoRo and container ships. Ship cars, trucks, SUVs, ATVs, boats, RVs, heavy equipment, and more.
Container Car Shipping | |
|---|---|
| Sedan (Container) | $1550 |
| SUV (Container) | $1750 |
| Sedan via RORO | $850 |
| SUV via RORO | $910 |
Which Size of Hauling Container Works Best for Me?
When you select a shipping container, you can choose a 20-ft or a 40-ft. If you move the contents of a three-bedroom house or something smaller, the 20-ft container will meet your needs. The 4-ft crates work for anything above that, starting from a four-bedroom home.
You might wonder if you will have to pay for the whole container even if your items leave plenty of room.
In international shipping, we have two terms relevant to this question. The first is Full Container Load (FCL), and the second is Less Than Container Load (LCL). When you select the LCL option, you will split the cost of a receptacle with other customers who will use it. Say you are moving the items from your one-bedroom house. The LCL option will be perfect since the items will leave plenty of room in the 20-foot crates. If you have enough items to fit a box of either size, FCL is your best bet.
Understanding the Different Types
The four modes of cargo transport are air, sea, truck, and rail. Transporting containers by truck or train is impractical because of the long distances involved in making the trip from the United States to Brazil. You'll have to decide whether to ship your goods via airplane or boat.
Ocean freight shipment is the best option for saving on conveyance expenses. As a bonus, taking a ship instead of a plane reduces your environmental impact by preventing the release of carbon dioxide.
If your decision is based on speed, air freight is for you. Using air shipping, your container will arrive in Brazil in 1-3 days, while ocean hauling will take 2-8 weeks.
What’s next?
Now that you have some insight into how the cost of shipping a container to Brazil is calculated take the next step and request a passage. Fill out the details on the form on Three Movers website to get your free quote. Alternatively, call the toll-free number (888) 202-0036, and the customer service representative will generate an instant quote for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of shipping a container to Brazil typically ranges from $2,800 to $6,500 for a 20-foot container and $4,200 to $9,000 for a 40-foot container. Pricing depends on container size, origin port, fuel surcharges, Brazilian port fees, and customs clearance. Routes from U.S. East Coast ports like Miami or Houston are usually cheaper than West Coast departures. Door-to-door service and insurance increase total cost. Learn more about international moving costs.
Key cost drivers include container size (20ft vs 40ft), origin country, port congestion in Santos or Rio de Janeiro, seasonal demand, and customs duties and taxes. Additional charges apply for packing, inland trucking, storage, and demurrage if delays occur. Weather disruptions and fuel price fluctuations also impact rates. Using a consolidated or shared container can reduce costs for smaller shipments.
Shipping a container from the USA to Brazil usually costs between $3,000 and $8,500 depending on departure port, container size, and service level. East Coast ports like Miami, Savannah, and New York offer shorter transit times and lower ocean freight than Los Angeles or Oakland. Transit times average 18–30 days port to port, with customs clearance adding time. See typical moving overseas shipping costs.
Yes. Brazil imposes import duty, IPI tax, ICMS state tax, and customs processing fees. These charges are calculated based on the declared value and cargo type. Household goods may qualify for exemptions under specific visa or residency conditions, but documentation must be precise. Customs inspections can add storage or demurrage fees if paperwork is incomplete or goods are restricted.
A container shipping cost calculator provides a reliable estimate but not a final price. Calculators factor in container size, origin, and destination, but cannot fully account for port congestion, customs inspections, or fuel surcharges. For Brazil, fluctuating ICMS taxes and port handling fees often cause final costs to differ from estimates. Use calculators for budgeting, then confirm with a detailed quote.
Costs increase when shipping heavy furniture, vehicles, appliances, or commercial goods requiring special permits. Items needing crating, hazardous material handling, or climate-controlled containers add fees. Brazil has strict import rules, so restricted or misdeclared items can trigger inspections, fines, or re-export costs. Packing quality also affects damage risk and insurance pricing during transit.
Choose full container load if you are shipping a 2–5 bedroom household or commercial cargo, as it offers faster transit and predictable pricing. Shared container shipping lowers costs for small moves but involves longer consolidation times and variable delivery windows. The right choice depends on shipment volume, budget, and delivery urgency. Storage coordination is often required for shared loads.
