巴西
Brazil
1. Port Overview
Port of Santos is located in Santos, São Paulo State, Brazil, on the western coast of the Atlantic Ocean, about 70 km from São Paulo city. It is the largest and busiest port in Brazil and Latin America. The port area extends approximately 13 km, with over 60 berths, an annual container throughput of about 4.5 million TEU, and a water depth of 12-14 meters [Source: Santos Port Authority 2025]. Brazil is the largest economy in Latin America (the 12th largest in the world), and Port of Santos serves as the maritime hub for its most economically developed region — the São Paulo industrial zone.
Port of Santos handles approximately 30% of Brazil's foreign trade cargo throughput and is the core gateway for the Brazilian economy.
2. Port Scale and Facilities
Port of Santos has over 60 berths, including dedicated terminals for containers, bulk cargo, liquid chemicals, and roll-on/roll-off. Container terminal water depth is 12-14 meters. Major operators include Santos Brasil, DP World Santos, and BTP. The port is connected to the São Paulo industrial zone and Brazil's interior (states such as Minas Gerais and Goiás) via rail and road networks.
3. Main Shipping Routes from China
| Port of Origin | Estimated Transit Time | Common Shipping Lines |
|---|---|---|
| Guangzhou Port | 27-32 days | COSCO, MSC, CMA CGM |
| Shenzhen Port | 27-34 days | MAERSK, MSC |
| Shanghai Port | 28-35 days | COSCO, MAERSK |
| Ningbo Port | 28-36 days | COSCO, ONE |
The routes typically go through the Pacific → Strait of Magellan (shorter but rough in winter) or via the Cape of Good Hope (safer but 3-5 days longer).
4. China-Brazil Trade and Logistics Key Points
China is Brazil's largest trading partner (for 16 consecutive years), with bilateral trade exceeding USD 150 billion. Major imports from China: electromechanical products, chemicals, textiles, consumer goods. Brazil's exports to China: soybeans, iron ore, oil, meat. Brazil is the world's largest soybean exporter and a major iron ore supplier.
Suitable cargo for transport via Port of Santos: electromechanical products, chemicals, textiles, consumer goods. The most critical entry requirement for Brazilian imports — the consignee must have RADAR certification (Brazilian customs import/export qualification).
Bofeng Logistics Experience Sharing: Brazilian import is one of the most complex customs clearance systems in South America, with three major challenges: ① RADAR certification — any cargo imported into Brazil requires the consignee to have a valid RADAR certification (classified into levels I/II/III), otherwise clearance cannot be completed; ② Electronic products require ANATEL certification (Brazilian National Telecommunications Agency), processing time 3-6 months; ③ Food products require MAPA registration (Ministry of Agriculture). Port of Santos experiences severe congestion during the rainy season from November to February (waiting time 5-7 days), coinciding with the peak of Brazil's soybean export season. Recommendations: ① Book cargo 1 month in advance during peak season; ② If the consignee does not have RADAR, a third-party import agent can handle the process; ③ Alternative: divert via Paranaguá Port.
5. Shipping Considerations
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| RADAR Certification | Essential for importing into Brazil — consignee must have valid RADAR import/export qualification |
| ANATEL Certification | Electronic products require ANATEL certification (3-6 months) |
| Peak Season Congestion | Rainy season/soybean export season November-February, waiting time 5-7 days |
| Free Storage Period | 4-7 days |
| Foreign Exchange Control | Brazil's Central Bank strictly regulates import payments |
| Alternative Option | Paranaguá Port can be used as a diversion alternative |
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is RADAR certification? What if I don't have it? A: RADAR is the Brazilian customs electronic import/export system certification. All cargo imported into Brazil must be declared through the RADAR system. Consignees without RADAR can use a qualified third-party import agent (Trading Company) — the agent acts as the importer for customs clearance and then delivers the goods domestically.
Q: How severe is the peak season congestion at Port of Santos? A: During the rainy season (November to February), container ships typically wait 5-7 days to berth. Recommendations: ① Allow 3-5 days of transit buffer; ② Book 1 month in advance; ③ Consider diverting via São Sebastião Port in São Paulo State or Paranaguá Port in Paraná State.
6. Bofeng Logistics Services
- Full Container Load (FCL): 20GP, 40GP, 40HQ
- Less than Container Load (LCL): Regular consolidation from Guangzhou/Shenzhen to Santos
- Customs Brokerage & Clearance: China export + Brazil import clearance consulting (including RADAR certification consulting)
- Inland Distribution in Brazil: From Santos to São Paulo/Rio de Janeiro/Belo Horizonte/Brasília and other locations
📍 Feel free to contact us for real-time freight rates.
Related Port: Port of Buenos Aires (Two major ports on South America's east coast, north-south connection)