Shipping from China to Manaus, Brazil — Freight Guide [2026]
China → Manaus · via MAO air / Manaus sea · clearance by Receita Federal do Brasil
Manaus is Free Trade Zone and electronics assembly centre, and it is served through MAO air / Manaus sea. That combination is what actually sets your delivery date on this lane — allow +4 days for the inland leg on top of clearance.
On the destination side, Receita Federal do Brasil handles clearance; budget 7–15 days of dwell before the cargo is released.
Routing and transit on this lane
Brazil is the most complex tax jurisdiction in the Americas. Federal duty is only the starting point — IPI, PIS/COFINS and state-level ICMS compound on top, and ICMS differs by state, so the same goods cost different amounts landed in São Paulo and Manaus. The Manaus Free Trade Zone is a genuine alternative structure for electronics assembly inputs.
| Air gateways used | GRU (São Paulo), VCP (Campinas), GIG (Rio de Janeiro) |
|---|---|
| Air transit, China to gateway | 4–7 business days |
| Sea gateways used | Santos, Paranaguá, Itajaí |
| Sea transit, China to gateway | 30–40 calendar days |
| Gateway serving Manaus | MAO air / Manaus sea |
| Inland leg to Manaus | +4 days from the gateway |
| Typical clearance / dwell | 7–15 days |
| Peak season to plan around | Sep–Nov |
Duty, tax and clearance into Manaus
Receita Federal do Brasil assesses duty and tax on cargo arriving for Manaus consignees. Current regime: Import duty 10–35% plus IPI, PIS/COFINS and state ICMS — the compounded effective rate frequently exceeds 60%, with a de-minimis position of USD 50 for consignments between individuals only.
Conformity is the part most first-time importers underestimate: ANATEL homologation for telecom and radio devices; INMETRO certification for a wide range of consumer goods. Getting this wrong is expensive because it usually cannot be fixed after the cargo has landed.
Restrictions and known friction points for Brazil: ANATEL homologation is mandatory for anything that transmits, and takes months to obtain — start before production. INMETRO certification covers many consumer categories. Import licensing applies to a substantial list of goods and must be granted before shipment.
Air, sea or overland into Manaus?
| Mode | Transit to gateway | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Air Freight | 4–7 business days | time-critical, high-value and low-volume cargo |
| 🚢 Sea Freight | 30–40 calendar days | volume cargo where cost per kilo matters more than speed |
Transit shown is China departure to the Brazil gateway and excludes the +4 days inland leg to Manaus and 7–15 days of clearance.
What to sort out before the cargo leaves China
- Compare gross weight against volumetric weight (L×W×H ÷ 6000) — the higher figure is what gets billed on air and express.
- Use ISPM-15 treated pallets. Untreated wood is the most common reason otherwise-clean cargo gets held.
- Book earlier than the transit time suggests during Sep–Nov, when space on this lane tightens.
- Declare lithium batteries, magnets, liquids and powders up front — retro-declaring after booking usually means re-planning the whole shipment.
- Budget for the inland leg: +4 days beyond gateway clearance to reach Manaus.
- Confirm the consignee in Manaus can act as importer of record — Receita Federal do Brasil will not release cargo to an unregistered party.
Mode guides for Manaus
Frequently asked questions
How long does shipping from China to Manaus take?
China to the Brazil gateway is 4–7 business days by air, 30–40 calendar days by sea. On top of that, allow 7–15 days of clearance with Receita Federal do Brasil and a +4 days inland leg to Manaus.
What duty and tax will I pay importing into Manaus?
Receita Federal do Brasil applies: Import duty 10–35% plus IPI, PIS/COFINS and state ICMS — the compounded effective rate frequently exceeds 60%. The de-minimis position is USD 50 for consignments between individuals only. Under a DDP arrangement these are pre-paid, so nothing is collected on arrival in Manaus.
Can you deliver door-to-door in Manaus?
Yes. Delivery to a Manaus address is quoted as one figure covering freight, duty and tax owed to Receita Federal do Brasil, and the +4 days inland leg. Confirm whether your consignee wants the goods at a warehouse, a marketplace fulfilment centre or a shop front, because the last-mile requirement differs.
Which port or airport does cargo for Manaus clear through?
Cargo for Manaus is routed via MAO air / Manaus sea. Sea gateways for Brazil are Santos, Paranaguá, Itajaí; air gateways are GRU (São Paulo), VCP (Campinas), GIG (Rio de Janeiro). We pick whichever gives the shortest total door time for your address.
Can you ship batteries or sensitive cargo to Manaus?
Yes. Battery cargo by air follows IATA PI 965–970 depending on how the cells are packed, and moves on certified channels via GRU (São Paulo), VCP (Campinas), GIG (Rio de Janeiro). Surcharges apply and the declaration has to be made before booking.
Is sea freight cheaper than air freight into Manaus?
Per kilo, yes — usually by a wide margin. The trade-off is time: 30–40 calendar days by sea versus 4–7 business days by air to the Brazil gateway, before clearance and the +4 days inland leg. The crossover point is normally somewhere between 100 and 300 kg depending on the density of your cargo.
Other delivery cities in Brazil
References & official sources
Duty rates, thresholds and conformity requirements for Brazil change by ministerial decision, sometimes mid-year. The figures on this page are buyer-planning references, not a customs ruling — confirm the current position for your own HS code with Receita Federal do Brasil or your broker before you ship.
- Receita Federal — Aduana
- ANATEL homologation
- INMETRO
- WTO — Tariff Profiles (applied MFN duty by country)
- IATA — Lithium battery shipping guidance (PI 965–970)
- World Bank — Logistics Performance Index
- ICC — Incoterms 2020 rules (DDP, DAP, FOB definitions)
- IPPC — ISPM 15 wood packaging standard
Page data last reviewed: July 2026.
Get a rate for Manaus
This lane is quoted per shipment rather than from a published rate card, because the landed cost depends on the commodity, its density, the conformity requirements above and the delivery point. Send the cargo details and we will come back with a full DDP figure.