Is moving to Brazil from the USA duty-free?

Used personal effects are generally exempt from duty under the "menaje de casa" or equivalent settler category — provided you have the corresponding residency status and a properly prepared inventory. New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and firearms are treated separately and usually attract duty.

How long does shipping to Brazil take?

Ocean transit depends on origin and port pairing. Most East Coast U.S. origins reach Central America in 12–20 days, northern South America in 18–30 days, and the Southern Cone in 28–45 days. Customs clearance typically adds 3–10 business days on top of transit.

Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?

No. Our destination partner in Brazil presents paperwork on your behalf under a signed authorization. You should be reachable by phone in case an officer requests clarification on a specific item.

Can I ship a vehicle to Brazil with my household goods?

Sometimes — but vehicle import rules vary by country and carry additional documentation, taxes, and age restrictions. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.

What items are restricted or prohibited?

Firearms and ammunition always require advance declaration and in several countries cannot be imported by private individuals. Fresh produce, plants, seeds, and soil face agricultural restrictions. New-in-box electronics, pharmaceuticals, and bulk quantities of the same item are commonly flagged as commercial goods.

How much does a move to Brazil typically cost?

Most full-service household moves fall in a wide band: a studio can start around $4,000 from a nearby U.S. port; a 3-BR+ household to the far reaches of South America can exceed $25,000. Distance, port pair, and residency paperwork are the biggest cost drivers.

How far in advance should I book?

Start residency paperwork 8–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December — secure a slot earlier if you need those windows.

What is Bagagem Desacompanhada?

It's Brazil's regulatory regime for unaccompanied baggage / household goods. Eligible residents can import used personal effects duty-free provided the shipment arrives within 6 months of their own entry and is declared via the e-DBV electronic system.

Do I need a CPF before my shipment arrives?

Yes — the CPF is required to file the e-DBV declaration. Obtain your CPF at a Brazilian consulate in the U.S. before you leave; it takes 1–3 weeks and costs under $10.

What taxes apply if I don't qualify for Bagagem Desacompanhada?

A straight import outside the baggage regime attracts Import Tax (II, ~60% of CIF value for baggage classes), plus IPI, ICMS (state), and PIS/COFINS. This is why residency-backed filing is essential.

Can I import a car with my household goods?

Vehicles are imported separately and face substantial duties (~65%+) and emissions requirements. Returning Brazilians, diplomats, and specific investor categories have separate exemption pathways. We quote vehicle moves separately.

Rio de Janeiro with Sugarloaf Mountain at sunset

U.S. → Brazil relocation guide · updated 2026-04-23

Moving to Brazil from the United States

2026 guide to relocating from the United States to Brazil — required documents (e-DBV Bagagem Desacompanhada, CPF, residency visa VIPER/VITEM, CRNM), port entry (Santos, Rio, Itajaí), transit times, and price ranges for São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, and Curitiba.

Get a free Brazil quote See price ranges →

At a glance

A standard U.S. → Brazil household move takes 28–48 days end-to-end, typically costs $5,500 – $24,000, and clears Brazilian customs (Receita Federal) on the strength of the Bagagem Desacompanhada (unaccompanied baggage) regime paired with a residency visa (VIPER, VITEM, or diplomatic). Santos near São Paulo is Brazil's busiest port; Rio de Janeiro and Itajaí serve the central and southern regions.

Transit time: 28–48 days
Typical range: $5.5K – $24K
Main entry port: Santos · Rio · Itajaí
Core document: Bagagem Desacompanhada

Documents required to move to Brazil

Brazil customs (Receita Federal · Aduana Brasileira) clears household shipments against a clear paper trail. Missing or inaccurate documents are the single most common cause of delays at the port. Residency category determines whether your shipment clears duty-free.

Bagagem Desacompanhada declaration (e-DBV)
Required for every move
Portuguese-language electronic baggage declaration (Declaração de Bagagem) filed via Receita Federal's e-DBV system. Used personal effects qualify for duty exemption under the unaccompanied baggage regime if arriving within 6 months of the importer's entry into Brazil.
Valid passport + CPF
Required for every move
CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) is Brazil's taxpayer ID and is required for e-DBV filing. Obtainable at Brazilian consulates in the U.S. before departure — we recommend doing this 8–10 weeks out.
Residency visa (VIPER, VITEM, or diplomatic)
Required for residents
Permanent (VIPER) or Temporary (VITEM) residency visa determines exemption eligibility. Pure tourist entries (eTA) cannot claim the Bagagem Desacompanhada exemption.
CRNM / RNM (residency card)
Required for residents
Carteira de Registro Nacional Migratório, issued by the Polícia Federal after entry. Required to fully clear the shipment.
Bill of lading / air waybill
Required for every move
BOL line-matched to the e-DBV. Our destination agent files all documents together through the Siscomex portal.
Itemized inventory (Relação de Bens)
Required for every move
Portuguese-language itemized inventory with declared USD values. Used as the attachment to the e-DBV. New-in-box items are flagged and attract tax.
Portuguese translation of supporting documents
Conditional
Receita Federal may require official Portuguese translations of the passport data page, visa approval letter, and inventory. Our destination partner coordinates sworn translators.

Price ranges from the USA to major Brazil cities

Ranges below cover full-service door-to-door moves from a major U.S. port, including export packing, ocean freight, customs brokerage at destination, and final-mile delivery anywhere in Brazil. Quoted in USD. Actual quotes depend on volume, access, and seasonality — use these as planning bands.

Price ranges from the United States to major Brazil cities by household size, including transit time and typical U.S. origin.
Destination city	Transit	Studio / 1-BR	2-BR household	3-BR+ household	Typical U.S. origin
São Paulo(São Paulo)	28–38 days	$5,500 – $8,500	$10,000 – $16,500	$16,500 – $23,000	Miami · Port of Santos
Rio de Janeiro(Rio de Janeiro)	29–40 days	$5,600 – $8,700	$10,200 – $16,800	$16,800 – $23,500	Miami · Port of Rio or Santos + inland
Brasília(Distrito Federal)	32–44 days	$5,900 – $9,000	$10,700 – $17,300	$17,300 – $24,000	Miami · Santos + 14 hr inland
Curitiba(Paraná)	30–42 days	$5,700 – $8,800	$10,400 – $17,000	$17,000 – $23,800	Miami · Paranaguá or Itajaí + 1.5 hr inland

Estimates as of 2026-04-23. Brazil has the highest inland-trucking cost variance in Latin America — São Paulo to Manaus can exceed 4,000 km. Major metros (São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, Curitiba) cluster near the main ports and are much cheaper to deliver than Amazonian cities.

Major Brazil destinations we serve

Brazil's population concentrates along the Atlantic corridor from Recife south to Porto Alegre. São Paulo, Rio, Belo Horizonte, and Brasília handle most U.S. expat relocations; Amazonian destinations (Manaus, Belém) use dedicated river / air routing.

São Paulo · São Paulo
Brazil's financial and industrial capital. The largest destination for U.S.-origin household moves. Loads clear at Santos (~80 km south) and truck in.
Transit
28–38 days
2-BR range
$10,000 – $16,500
Origin lane: Miami · Port of Santos
Rio de Janeiro · Rio de Janeiro
Beachfront metro and cultural capital. Direct delivery via Port of Rio or cross-delivery from Santos. Copacabana, Ipanema, Barra da Tijuca handle most expat volume.
Transit
29–40 days
2-BR range
$10,200 – $16,800
Origin lane: Miami · Port of Rio or Santos + inland
Brasília · Distrito Federal
Federal capital in Brazil's interior. Loads truck up from Santos (~1,000 km / 14 hours) or Rio (~1,100 km).
Transit
32–44 days
2-BR range
$10,700 – $17,300
Origin lane: Miami · Santos + 14 hr inland
Curitiba · Paraná
Southern-Brazil regional capital. Loads typically arrive at Itajaí or Paranaguá (closer than Santos) and truck in (~1.5 hours).
Transit
30–42 days
2-BR range
$10,400 – $17,000
Origin lane: Miami · Paranaguá or Itajaí + 1.5 hr inland

Primary U.S. → Brazil entry points

Santos is Brazil's largest container port and handles the majority of U.S.-origin household freight. Rio de Janeiro and Itajaí serve central and southern destinations.

Entry point	Type	Notes
Port of Santos	Seaport	Brazil's busiest container port. Handles most U.S.-origin household moves to São Paulo, Brasília, and interior.
Port of Rio de Janeiro	Seaport	Serves the Rio metro and central Atlantic coast.
Port of Itajaí / Navegantes	Seaport	Southern Brazil container hub serving Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre.
Port of Paranaguá	Seaport	Alternative southern port near Curitiba; handles bulk and container freight.
Guarulhos Int'l Airport (GRU)	Airport	São Paulo's main international airport. Air freight hub for unaccompanied baggage and urgent shipments.

Relocation timeline

Brazil's paperwork is tightly time-linked — the unaccompanied baggage regime requires the shipment to arrive within 6 months of your entry as a resident. Timing the sail date is critical.

1
Confirm your residency / visa category (8–12 weeks out)
Household-goods duty exemptions in Brazil are tied to your residency status. Apply at the Brazil consulate in the U.S. early — if the visa is not issued by the time your shipment is packed, the load will almost always incur duties or be held until the permit arrives.
2
Build the inventory (6–8 weeks out)
Work with your coordinator to itemize every carton and every piece of furniture. Electronics need serial numbers and declared values. The inventory is the primary document Brazil customs reviews at the port of entry.
3
Book origin pickup and ocean booking (4–6 weeks out)
We confirm the vessel, container type (20-ft, 40-ft, or shared LCL), and primary port of discharge in Brazil. Summer peak and year-end holidays both compress available sailings — book early whenever possible.
4
Pack to customs expectations (2–3 weeks out)
Crew labels every carton with contents and room. High-value items and any regulated goods (alcohol, firearms, electronics-in-box) are segregated for inspection access. Items that cannot legally enter the country are removed at origin.
5
Ocean transit + arrival clearance
The container sails; our destination partner pre-clears paperwork with Brazil customs before arrival so the shipment is released as quickly as possible after discharge. Typical on-dock review is 3–10 business days depending on port and season.
6
Final delivery and unpacking
Once released, the load is trucked to your address. We coordinate elevator reservations, stair access, and shuttle vehicles for narrow-street or historic-district deliveries. Same-day unpack is optional.

Frequently asked questions about moving to Brazil

Short, answer-first responses to the questions we get most often.

Is moving to Brazil from the USA duty-free?: Used personal effects are generally exempt from duty under the "menaje de casa" or equivalent settler category — provided you have the corresponding residency status and a properly prepared inventory. New-in-box items, vehicles, alcohol, and firearms are treated separately and usually attract duty.
How long does shipping to Brazil take?: Ocean transit depends on origin and port pairing. Most East Coast U.S. origins reach Central America in 12–20 days, northern South America in 18–30 days, and the Southern Cone in 28–45 days. Customs clearance typically adds 3–10 business days on top of transit.
Do I need to be present when my shipment clears customs?: No. Our destination partner in Brazil presents paperwork on your behalf under a signed authorization. You should be reachable by phone in case an officer requests clarification on a specific item.
Can I ship a vehicle to Brazil with my household goods?: Sometimes — but vehicle import rules vary by country and carry additional documentation, taxes, and age restrictions. We always quote vehicle import separately from household goods and confirm eligibility before booking.
What items are restricted or prohibited?: Firearms and ammunition always require advance declaration and in several countries cannot be imported by private individuals. Fresh produce, plants, seeds, and soil face agricultural restrictions. New-in-box electronics, pharmaceuticals, and bulk quantities of the same item are commonly flagged as commercial goods.
How much does a move to Brazil typically cost?: Most full-service household moves fall in a wide band: a studio can start around $4,000 from a nearby U.S. port; a 3-BR+ household to the far reaches of South America can exceed $25,000. Distance, port pair, and residency paperwork are the biggest cost drivers.
How far in advance should I book?: Start residency paperwork 8–12 weeks before your target move. Book origin pickup 4–6 weeks out. Peak season is May–August and December — secure a slot earlier if you need those windows.
What is Bagagem Desacompanhada?: It's Brazil's regulatory regime for unaccompanied baggage / household goods. Eligible residents can import used personal effects duty-free provided the shipment arrives within 6 months of their own entry and is declared via the e-DBV electronic system.
Do I need a CPF before my shipment arrives?: Yes — the CPF is required to file the e-DBV declaration. Obtain your CPF at a Brazilian consulate in the U.S. before you leave; it takes 1–3 weeks and costs under $10.
What taxes apply if I don't qualify for Bagagem Desacompanhada?: A straight import outside the baggage regime attracts Import Tax (II, ~60% of CIF value for baggage classes), plus IPI, ICMS (state), and PIS/COFINS. This is why residency-backed filing is essential.
Can I import a car with my household goods?: Vehicles are imported separately and face substantial duties (~65%+) and emissions requirements. Returning Brazilians, diplomats, and specific investor categories have separate exemption pathways. We quote vehicle moves separately.

Structured summary: U.S. → Brazil household moves with Bagagem Desacompanhada (e-DBV), CPF / CRNM coordination, Receita Federal clearance at Santos, Rio, or Itajaí, and delivery to São Paulo, Rio, Brasília, and Curitiba.

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Moving to Brazil from the United States

At a glance

Documents required to move to Brazil

Bagagem Desacompanhada declaration (e-DBV)

Valid passport + CPF

Residency visa (VIPER, VITEM, or diplomatic)

CRNM / RNM (residency card)

Bill of lading / air waybill

Itemized inventory (Relação de Bens)

Portuguese translation of supporting documents

Price ranges from the USA to major Brazil cities

Major Brazil destinations we serve

São Paulo · São Paulo

Rio de Janeiro · Rio de Janeiro

Brasília · Distrito Federal

Curitiba · Paraná

Primary U.S. → Brazil entry points

Relocation timeline

Confirm your residency / visa category (8–12 weeks out)

Build the inventory (6–8 weeks out)

Book origin pickup and ocean booking (4–6 weeks out)

Pack to customs expectations (2–3 weeks out)

Ocean transit + arrival clearance

Final delivery and unpacking

Frequently asked questions about moving to Brazil

Related pages

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