Import shipping containers from Brazil to the USA

Interworld ships FCL and LCL containers from Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Pecem and Suape to Miami, Houston, Charleston, New York and Los Angeles. With road freight added, including container drayage, FTL and LTL trucking, we can arrange door-to-door delivery from Brazil to any US destination, not only the port. U.S. customs clearance runs through CBP's ACE system, and duty is assessed under the HTSUS on the commercial invoice value.

Yes, the destination coast makes a real difference. FCL transit from Santos to Miami is approximately 21 days, while Santos to Los Angeles is approximately 29 days. From southern Brazil to the northern US West Coast, transit can be as long as routes linking the Americas with European or Asian ports, so the discharge port matters when you plan. The discharge port also sets the inland leg: cargo for Florida and the Southeast clears fastest through Miami, and Charleston serves the Carolinas and Georgia.

No. Interworld coordinates pickup at origin, documents and delivery at destination with one team, and combines ocean and road freight for door-to-door shipping from Brazil. Founded in 1992 and a founding member of the World Cargo Alliance, we move 30,000+ TEUs a year with an in-house team that knows each destination's customs. Brazilian exports are declared by the exporter on the DU-E (Declaração Única de Exportação) in Siscomex, usually through a customs broker, before the cargo is loaded.

Yes. LCL shipping works for consignments as small as one or two pallets and is usually simpler to arrange than FCL, because you do not need to choose a container size. LCL rates vary with the volume shipped, so share your shipment details and we will quote door-to-door LCL via your preferred ports within one business day. LCL is charged on the greater of cubic meters or metric tons (1 CBM per 1,000 kg), and a loaded pallet commonly measures 1 to 2 CBM.

For many moves, yes. A 20-ft container holds 33 m³ and up to 25,000 kg and is suited to household goods, moves and smaller commercial loads, while a 40-ft container offers 67.7 m³ and up to 28,000 kg. Interworld manages clearance and documentation at destination for household goods as well as commercial cargo. Internal length is about 5.9 m for a 20-ft and 12 m for a 40-ft container; prepare an itemized inventory with values, which customs uses to clear household goods.

Interworld prepares the core documents for you: the bill of lading (BL), the commercial invoice and the packing list. We also handle customs clearance and documentation at the US destination. When you request a quote on this page, the advisor confirms the documents your cargo needs together with the rate and next sailing. U.S. entry also needs an ISF 10+2 filed 24 hours before loading in Brazil, a customs bond, and an entry summary on CBP Form 7501 under the HTSUS code of the goods.