Ocean and Air Freight Shipping From Italy to Brazil

This page is designed to help businesses of all sizes import from Italy to Brazil more easily. You may have shipped commercial goods between the two nations before, or be a complete newcomer to international trade. Either way, the information here will help you to make commercial freight shipping less problematic and more straightforward.

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

You can arrange for your commercial goods to be shipped from Italy to Brazil either by air or sea. Each transportation mode has advantages and possible drawbacks, which we’ll outline on this page.

Ocean Freight From Italy to Brazil

Less than Container Load (LCL): In LCL shipping, your freight will travel in a container shared with other shippers’ goods. For smaller shipments, LCL often works out the most economical way to ship freight from Italy to Brazil.

Full Container Load (FCL): If you want exclusive use of a container for your goods, choose FCL shipping. When you hire a carrier to transport an entire shipping container from Italy to Brazil, you decide whether to fully or partially fill it with your commercial goods. It’s usually the fastest form of ocean shipping and can be less expensive than LCL.

Air Freight from Italy to Brazil

The quickest way to export from Italy to Brazil is to use air freight services. But you should be prepared to pay a higher price than you would with ocean shipping.

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

Several factors need to be considered by your freight forwarder to calculate a quote for your shipment. They include:

• How far your goods need to be shipped
• Whether you require a port-to-port, port-to-door, door-to-port or door-to-door service
• What kind of freight you are looking to ship
• Whether you want to use an ocean freight or air freight carrier
• The weight, size, and volume of your freight

If your consignment weighs between up to 100 kg, you’ll discover there’s little difference between the cost of sending your goods by ocean or air freight. In such cases, you might prefer to choose the quickest option.

For goods weighing over 100 kg, air freight becomes more expensive. So ocean shipping is more affordable for many shippers.
It’s important to note that freight forwarders don’t generally quote for shipping weighing 35 kg or less. However, international couriers will happily ship consignments in this low weight bracket.

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

Air shipping is the quickest way to import from Italy to Brazil. You should allow four to eight days for your goods to ship from Southern Europe to South America.

Transporting a shipping container from Italy to Brazil by sea is a longer process. But if your goods are too heavy to fly or your consignment too big to fit in the hold of an aircraft, FCL or LCL ocean shipping will be your only option.

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

Here are some typical shipping durations for ocean freight from Italy to Brazil:

• Genoa to Rio de Janeiro – 15 days FCL
• Genoa to Santos – 17 days FCL
• Genoa to Rio Grande – 28 days FCL
• La Spezia to Santos – 36 days FCL
• Venice to Santos – 38 days FCL

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

Four to eight days is the typical time it takes to ship air freight from Italy to Brazil. For example, air cargo shipments between Milan and Viracopos can be completed in four days, while eight days is more realistic for shipping from Milan to Recife.

Customs Clearance Procedures in Italy and Brazil

When importing from Italy to Brazil, you must adhere to customs regulations. That means supplying paperwork with your shipment. The following are documents that customs officials in Italy and Brazil will almost certainly want to see:

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

We’ve collated samples of these documents on this document list page, so you can examine them more closely if you wish.

Your freight forwarder may well inform you that your consignment requires additional documents, perhaps certificates, licenses, and/or permits. Knowing precisely which documents are required can be a source of confusion for many businesses. Some prefer to leave the task to freight forwarders. These shipping experts can minimize the risk of delay and ensure compliance with local and international shipping regulations.

Should You Choose Ocean or Air Shipping From Italy to Brazil?

Ocean Freight

For heavy goods, large consignments, and limited budgets, ocean shipping is often the best option. The majority of sea freight is transported from port to port in 20ft or 40ft standard containers that open at one end. But different types of containers are available to ship freight requiring specific conditions—ventilation or refrigeration, for example.

As well as two sizes of container, there are two modes of ocean shipping to choose between—FCL or LCL.

Considerations for LCL Freight Shipping

LCL stands for Less-than-container-load shipping. It’s a mode of transportation in which your freight shares container space with other products. It could be your best option if:

• The consignment you wish to ship is relatively small—no more than six standard pallets worth
• The consignee doesn’t require urgent delivery of your goods
• Your freight is suited to being shipped in the same container as other products
• Air freight is not an option for you

LCL might not be best for you if:

• Your goods are high-value, delicate, or perishable.
• You don’t want your freight handled or moved too often.
• Your cargo isn’t suitable for sharing a container with other goods.

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

Considerations for FCL Freight Shipping

Full-container-load shipping is the mode in which your goods are transported in a container that is not shared with other shippers. Businesses opt for this type of shipping if:

• They need their cargo to arrive in Brazil by a specific date.
• The goods they’re shipping are delicate or heavy.
• They want their containers sealed in Italy and to remain sealed until reaching their destination
• They’re transporting a larger load—one that will require at least half the capacity of a standard 20ft container.

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

Air Freight

Air shipping is favored by many businesses, especially those with:

• Goods to ship that have a short shelf-life.
• An urgent delivery deadline.
• Consignments of three or fewer pallets to send.
• Suppliers and consignees based nearer international airports than seaports.
• Valuable cargo requiring the high levels of security provided by airlines and airport operators.

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

Ocean Cargo Port Guide

Cargo Ports of Origin in Italy

La Spezia

Port Facts:

• A container facility located in Northern Italy.
• Features over five kilometers of quayside for loading cargo vessels.
• Voted ‘Best Container Terminal—Europe’ at the AFLAS awards in 2017.
• Ideal if your supply chain requires the movement of goods from Florence, Livorno, Pisa, Lucca, or Bologna.

Owned By: Port of La Spezia Port Authority.

Annual Container Volume: >1.4 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: ITSPE.

Genoa

Port Facts:

• Italy’s second-busiest port for containerized goods.
• A top-three port in the Mediterranean.
• The facility covers over 700 hectares.
• Over 150 services connect the port with the rest of the world.
• Easy transportation to the port from industrial areas of Italy and elsewhere in Europe.
• The Voltri Terminal Europa is the port’s biggest container terminal.

Owned By: Genoa Port Authority.

Annual Container Volume: >2 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: ITGOA.

Venice

Port Facts:

• Located in Northeastern Italy.
• Comprises 1,400 meters of quayside and 163 berths.
• Covers 90 hectares and has seven container terminals.
• A vast internal railway system allows for the swift movement of goods.

Owned By: Port Authority of Venice.

Annual Container Volume: >1.4 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: ITVCE.

Ancona

Port Facts:

• Located on Italy’s Adriatic Coast.
• The port covers 1.4 million square meters and includes passenger and ferry terminals.
• Plans in place to extend the length of the quayside to 600 meters.
• Easy to access for suppliers in San Marino, Senigallia, Rimini, and other locations on Italy’s east coast.

Owned By: Central Adriatic Ports Authority.

Annual Container Volume: >150,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: ITAOI.

Naples

Port Facts:

• One of Italy’s busiest container ports.
• Situated on Italy’s southwestern coast.
• The port has three container terminals
• Ideal port of origin if your supplier or manufacturer is based in Naples, Casoria, Nola, Pozzuoli, and elsewhere in Southwestern Italy.

Owned By: Port Authority of Naples.

Annual Container Volume: >500,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: ITNAP.

Cargo Ports of Arrival in Brazil

Vitoria

Port Facts:

• A medium-sized seaport.
• The key port in the state of Espirito Santo in Eastern Brazil.
• Located west of Vitoria Island in Espirito Santo Bay.
• Serves a local urban population of 1.6 million people.

Owned By: Companhia Docas do Espírito Santo.

Annual Container Volume: >220,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRVIX.

Itajai

Port Facts:

• The second-largest port in Brazil for containerized goods.
• The main port in the state of Santa Catarina.
• Located in Southern Brazil at the mouth of the Itajai River.
• Connected by road and air to the capital city of Santa Catarina State.

Owned By: Unknown.

Annual Container Volume: >323,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRITJ.

Suape

Port Facts:

• Located in Ipojuca, Pernambuco State.
• Registers an annual freight throughput total of over 5 million tonnes.
• Ultra-fast cargo processing thanks to a laser-enabled docking system.

Owned By: Governor Eraldo Gueiros Industrial Port Complex.

Annual Container Volume: >400,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRSUA.

Rio Grande do Sul

Port Facts:

• Located in Southeastern Brazil on the Rio Grande River.
• Easily accessed from the Atlantic Ocean.
• Situated close to the border with Uruguay.

Owned By: Superintendência do Porto de Rio Grande.

Annual Container Volume: >726,000 TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRRIG.

Santos (São Paulo)

Port Facts:

• South America’s largest ocean freight facility.
• Brazil’s most technologically advanced port.
• Connected to more than 600 ports in 25 countries.

Owned By: Federal Government of Brazil.

Annual Container Volume: >4 million TEUs.

UN/LOCODE: BRSSZ.

Other Destination Ports in Brazil

Shipa Freight can also arrange for your consignment from Italy to be discharged in these Brazilian ports:

• Navegantes
• Salvador
• Paranagua
• Haguali
• Itapoa
• Rio de Janeiro
• Belem
• Pecem
• Manaus

Flying Your Freight: Airport Guide

Airports of Origin in Italy

Milan-Malpensa

Airport Facts:

• Located 50 km north of Milan on the Ticino River.
• Largest cargo airport in Italy, handling 53% of the nation’s air freight.
• Infrastructure includes two parallel runways.
• 558, 000 tonnes of air cargo was processed in the airport in 2018.
• It has two temperature-controlled warehouses for pharmaceuticals and perishables.

Brazil Airports Served: São Paulo Guarulhos.

***Milan to the Brazil Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA CODE: MXP.

Rome-Fiumicino

Airport Facts:

• Italy’s busiest and Europe’s eighth-busiest airport.
• The full name is Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport.
• Its large freight terminal is known as Cargo City.
• Features facilities for vulnerable cargo and temperature-sensitive goods.

Brazil Airports Served: Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo-Guarulhos.

Rome to the Brazil Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA CODE: FCO.

Airports of Arrival in Brazil

Sao Paulo Viracopos

Airport Facts:

• Also known as Sao Paulo Campinas.
• Serves the metropolitan region of Campinas.
• Second busiest cargo facility in Brazil.
• Cargo terminal covers 77,000 square meters.
• Facilities include animal cargo and refrigerated goods facilities.
• Express lanes for courier traffic for quick onward distribution.

Connected Airports in Italy: Milan Malpensa.

Italy to Sao Paulo Viracopos Cargo-Only Operators: Cargolux.

IATA Code: VCP.

Rio de Janeiro

Airport Facts:

• Full name is Antonio Carlos Jobim/Galeao International Airport.
• Brazil’s second-biggest air cargo facility.
• Excellent pharma handling facilities.
• Ideal port of arrival for the onward distribution of goods to Copacabana, Duque de Caxias, Mage, and Marica.

Connected Airports in Italy: Rome Fiumicino.

Italy to Rio de Janeiro Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA Code: GIG.

Porto Alegre

Airport Facts:

• Sometimes called Salgado Filho International Airport.
• Located on a 3.8 million square meter site.
• Features a 2,280-meter runway, plus two terminals with cold storage.
• Freight from Italy will be shipped via indirect flights.

Connected Airports in Italy: None.

Italy to Porto Alegre Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA Code: POA.

Manaus

Airport Facts:

• Also called Eduardo Gomes International Airport.
• Located 14 kilometers north of downtown Manaus.
• 175, 000 tonnes of cargo is handled here annually.
• Ranks as the third-busiest cargo hub in Brazil.

Connected Airports in Italy: None.

Italy to Manaus Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA Code: MAO.

São Paulo Guarulhos

Airport Facts:

• You might see this airport referred to as Cumbica Airport.
• It’s the largest logistics center in South America.
• Located 20 km from Sao Paulo, Brazil’s largest commercial and industrial center.
• Easy access to major highways for swift onward distribution of goods.

***Connected Airports in Italy: Rome Fiumicino.

Italy to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Cargo-Only Operators: None.

IATA Code: GRU.

Shipa Freight can also coordinate air freight shipping from Italy to other air cargo hubs in Brazil, namely Curitiba, Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and Recife.

Why Ship From Italy to Brazil With Shipa Freight?

Shipping commercial goods from Italy to Brazil is so much easier when you partner with Shipa Freight. Our online platform simplifies much of the shipping process. And our team has experience of working with ocean carriers and air freight companies, so we can meet all your international logistics needs.

What’s more, our advanced website lets you track your shipping using your laptop, desktop computer, tablet, or smartphone. It simplifies your supply chain and gives you one place in which to manage all your shipping.

Other reasons to let Shipa Freight help you export from Italy to Brazil include:

• Easy registration and quick comparison of quotes
• Speedy bookings and payments via our website
• Expert information and guidance on the documentation your shipping requires
• Access to a friendly customer service team that’s available 24/7
• You can leave the complexities of customs and compliance to us and avoid unnecessary shipping delay

Know Your Shipping Terminology

Whatever your native language, the commercial language of shipping can be confusing. To help build your understanding, Shipa Freight is cutting through the complexity and explaining industry jargon in plain English. Two potentially baffling shipping terms are explained below, and there are more definitions on each of our country-to-country pages.

• Air freight forwarder
• Emergency bunker surcharge