Ocean and Air Shipping from the Singapore to Brazil

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Updated on 04 Jul 2021

11 min read

Singapore and Brazil look back on more than 50 years of fruitful diplomatic relations and are determined to strengthen their ties further. Currently, Brazil is Singapore’s third-largest trading partner in Latin America, with trade between the two countries amounting to $3.4 billion (USD) in 2017.

If you are planning to import from Singapore to Brazil this year, or at any time in the future, then this page is for you. We understand that moving cargo internationally via air and sea is complex. That’s why we have prepared a useful guide to help your business ship freight from Singapore to Brazil successfully.

What Are Your Options for Shipping Freight From Singapore to Brazil?

Flags of Singapore and Brazil to show Shipa Freight capacity to ship from the Singapore to Brazil

You can choose between ocean and air shipping from Singapore to Brazil. Both alternatives have distinct pros and cons.

Ocean Freight From Singapore to Brazil

Less than Container Load (LCL): With LCL shipping, your goods will travel in a shared container instead of having an entire container assigned to you alone. The main advantage is that you are only paying for the weight and dimensions that your freight occupies. That makes LCL the most economical way to transport smaller, lighter consignments from Singapore to Brazil.

Full Container Load (FCL): With FCL shipping, your cargo is loaded into a dedicated container for the entire journey. You will pay a flat, per-container rate for shipping. If you are exporting or importing larger consignments, this method can be less expensive than LCL.

Air Freight from Singapore to Brazil

If your goods need to reach Brazil as fast as possible, flying your cargo will be the best choice. But you will also have to pay a higher price. Air freight is typically much more expensive than ocean freight.

How Much Does it Cost to Ship Cargo From Singapore to Brazil?

Several factors determine the final cost of importing from Singapore to Brazil. Your freight forwarder will issue a quote based on the following criteria:

Nature of goods
Chosen mode of transport (FCL, LCL, Air)
Weight of the cargo
Dimension of the cargo
Distance between origin and destination
Type of service (such as Port-to-Port, Door-to-Door)

Now, you might wonder what the most economical way is to transport your freight from Singapore to Brazil. The weight of your goods is a major influencing factor in the final cost calculation. For consignments weighing 100 kg or less, the price of air and ocean freight will be about the same. You can simply choose the most convenient option. However, if your goods weigh more than 100 kg, ocean freight will likely be more affordable than air freight.

You also have to keep in mind that freight forwarders like Shipa Freight won’t handle all weight brackets. Light consignments weighing 35 kg or less should be managed by an international courier service instead.

How Long Does it Take to Ship Cargo From Singapore to Brazil?

Ocean and air shipping naturally have vastly different transit times. Even though there are currently no direct flights between Singapore and Brazil, your goods can reach Brazil in just a few days when shipped as air freight. Using ocean services to ship a container from Singapore to Brazil is much slower. Cargo vessels need a few weeks to cross the Atlantic as well as the Indian Ocean.

How Long Does It Take to Ship Cargo by Sea From Singapore to Brazil?

To give you an idea of the time needed to transport a container from Singapore to Brazil, one of our routes, from Singapore to Santos, takes approximately 21 days from port to port.

How Long Does It Take to Ship Cargo by Air From Singapore to Brazil?

Air freight can take between five and eight days to travel from Singapore to an international airport in Brazil and possibly further to the final recipient.

Customs Clearance in Singapore and Brazil

Customs stamp resting on a customs invoice document stamped with export customs clearance in red ink as Shipa Freight assist you with customs clearance

All cargo for export from Singapore to Brazil will have to undergo customs clearance. An experienced freight forwarder or agent can help you manage this intricate process and prevent any issues or delays. Also, a knowledgeable partner can assure you that all formalities will be completed in accordance with international laws and regulations.

You are not released from all responsibilities when you engage a freight forwarder, though. It is still your duty to provide certain paperwork. Typically, the customs authorities in Singapore and Brazil will ask for the following documents:

Commercial Invoice
Packing List
Certificate of Origin
Letter of Credit or other payment terms (depends on the contract between the parties involved)
Bill of Lading for ocean freight or Airway Bill for air freight (Shipa Freight will provide this for you)

You might also have to provide other paperwork, for example, licenses, permits, or certificates. Your freight forwarder should inform you straight away if so. With our handy documents list, you can learn more about these documents and see some examples.

Should You Choose Ocean Freight or Air Freight?

Ocean Freight

Ocean shipping is a popular option with most importers and exporters. A specialized cargo vessel will transport your products in a shipping container from Singapore to Brazil. If you need to ship sea freight that won’t fit into a container, your freight forwarder or carrier can recommend alternatives, such as break-bulk shipping.

For containerized ocean freight, you have the choice between LCL and FCL. The weight, volume, and nature of your goods will have an important bearing on which of these options best meets your needs. Both choices are bookable as port-to-port or door-to-door services.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

Pros:

Usually the cheapest option for small consignments of 14 CBM or less.
You don’t have to stuff and destuff the container. This will be done at a warehouse facility by the freight forwarder or carrier. Simply drop-off and collect your cargo there.
Your supply chain will certainly benefit as goods can be moved as soon as they are ready instead of waiting to fill an entire container.

Cons:

Fragile, delicate, or perishable products are at greater risk of damages, as your cargo will be handled more often.
The additional process steps typically add a day or two to your overall transit time.

Learn more about Less than Container Load on our dedicated page on LCL shipping.

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

Pros:

Fastest mode of ocean shipping.
Your freight is isolated in a container for the entire journey.
Cheapest option for larger amounts of freight (typically more than 14 CBM).

Cons:

You have to pay the fee for the entire container, even if you are shipping a small consignment.
Loading and delivery options might be restricted, as not every supplier or buyer can handle a full container on their premises.

Learn more about Full Container Load on our dedicated page on FCL shipping.

Air Freight

Pros:

Air shipping offers the shortest transit times.
Best for perishable cargo with a limited shelf-life.
Low risk as airlines and airport operators maintain the highest levels of security.
Could be the most economical option when you transport only a couple of pallets or less.
Very reliable because it’s less affected by the weather.

Cons:

Can be very costly for larger quantities of goods.
Not a viable option for extremely bulky or awkwardly shaped cargo.

Learn more about Air Freight on our dedicated page by clicking here.

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo Ports of Origin in Singapore

Singapore

Port Facts:

Situated on the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula.
20% of shipping containers worldwide are shipped from or to Singapore.
Offers connections to over 600 ports in 123 countries.
Boasts extensive freight facilities, including 52 berths and nearly 200 quay cranes.

Owned By: The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.

Annual Container Volume: >36 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: SGSIN.

Cargo Ports of Arrival in Brazil

Rio Grande Do Sul

Port Facts:

Located near the city of Porto Alegre close to the border with Uruguay.
Houses the leading container terminal in Brazil.
Has the capacity to handle the largest container vessels.

Annual Container Volume: >700,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRRIG.

Itajai

Port Facts:

A large container port, although with relatively low throughput.
Major point of import for businesses in Brazil’s southern states.
Has one container terminal and four berths.
Can receive vessels with capacities of up to 9,000 TEUs.

Owned By: Federal Government of Brazil.

Annual Container Volume: >4 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRSSZ.

Navegantes

Port Facts:

Second-busiest container seaport in the country.
20th-busiest port in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Facilities include a sophisticated port complex with a 50,000 square meter automated warehouse.

Owned By: Portonave S/A.

Annual Container Volume: >800,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRNVT.

Salvador

Port Facts:

Located in Brazil’s northwest in the All Saints Bay.
Ideal for importers in the state of Bahia.
Handles around 3 million tons of cargo per year.
Its sheltered harbor protects it from tidal fluctuations.

Owned By: Companhia das Docas do Estado de Bahia.

Annual Container Volume: >300,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRSSA.

Itapoa

Port Facts:

One of the newest and highest-performing container facilities in Brazil.
Fifth-busiest port for container throughput in the country.
Planned expansion will increase capacity to over a million TEUs per year.
Owned By: Itapoá Terminais Portuários S.A.

Annual Container Volume: >600,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRIOA.

Other Ports in Brazil

In addition to the container ports outlined above, you can also import your ocean freight from Singapore at the following Brazilian ports:

Belem
Santos
Manaus
Vitoria
Paranagua
Itaguai
Suape
Rio de Janeiro

Flying Your Freight: Airport Guide

Airports of Origin in Singapore

Singapore

Airport Facts:

Officially known as Changi Airport. Eighth-largest international freight hub in the world. Located just 20 km from downtown Singapore. Consistently ranks as the best global air cargo hub for facilities and performance.

Brazilian Airports Served: None.

Singapore to Brazil Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA Code: SIN.