Your Spare Parts. Brazilian Customs. We've Done This Before.
DTA, DI, bonded storage, last-mile delivery to the gangway — we manage every step of Brazil's customs process for emergency and scheduled ship spares at 15 ports, 24/7. While others explain why it's complicated, we have it cleared.
Brazil runs one of the world's most complex customs systems for ship spare parts. A single documentation error — a wrong NCM code, a missing RADAR authorisation, an incorrect regime declaration — can hold your parts at a bonded facility for days while your vessel waits at berth and charter costs mount. Costa Maritime's operations desk handles every step of this process, 24 hours a day, across 15 Brazilian ports.
What We Handle For You
From the moment your spare parts depart their origin country to the moment they reach the gangway, our team manages the full logistics and customs chain — so your technical superintendent can focus on the repair, not the paperwork.
Air & Sea Freight
Urgent air freight via Recife (REC), São Paulo (GRU), and Rio de Janeiro (GIG) airports. Sea freight coordination for bulk or pre-positioned orders to any of our 15 covered ports.
Customs Clearance
DTA, DI, Admissão Temporária, and bonded warehouse regimes handled by our in-house customs specialists. Pre-arrival documentation validation to minimise Red channel risk.
Bonded Storage
Secure storage at Receita Federal-authorised bonded facilities at key ports. Parts held under tax suspension until your vessel arrives — no import duty exposure during transit.
Last-Mile Delivery
Coordinated delivery from bonded facility to vessel gangway, including Port Authority access, terminal clearance, and ANTAQ compliance for all 15 ports we cover.
NCM Code Validation
The most common cause of customs delays is NCM misclassification. Our team pre-validates all HS/NCM codes against Receita Federal's tariff schedule before submission.
24/7 Operations Desk
Direct WhatsApp and email access to our ops team around the clock. For urgent vessel needs, response within 15 minutes during active port calls.
Brazil's Customs Regimes for Ship Spare Parts
Brazil operates four distinct customs clearance channels for ship spare parts. Choosing the correct regime — and filing it correctly before arrival — is the difference between same-day clearance and a week-long hold.
| Regime | When to Use | Key Requirement | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DTA Most Common | Parts arriving at one port (e.g. GRU São Paulo) that need inland transit to another port (e.g. Suape) | Filed via SISCOMEX-Trânsito before goods leave origin facility. All facilities must be alfandegado. | Same day if documentation is clean |
| DI | Parts being permanently imported and nationalised in Brazil — the part stays onboard and is not re-exported | Requires a Brazilian Importer of Record with valid CNPJ and RADAR authorisation. Full import duties apply. | 1–10 days, channel-dependent |
| Admissão Temporária | Equipment or tooling accompanying a technical crew for onboard repair, to be re-exported with the vessel | Must be arranged via SISCOMEX with a Brazilian customs broker before goods arrive. ATA Carnets no longer accepted (since Jan 2022). | 2–5 days pre-arrival |
| Bonded Warehouse | Pre-positioning parts ahead of vessel arrival for regular fleet operators or OSVs | Storage at Depósito Aduaneiro Especial. Tax suspended until dispatch to vessel. | Flexible — held until vessel arrives |
ATA Carnets are no longer accepted in Brazil. Brazil officially exited the ATA Carnet system on 1 January 2022. Shipments arriving with an ATA Carnet will be rejected at Brazilian customs. Temporary Admission via SISCOMEX is the correct alternative and must be arranged before the shipment departs the origin country.
Clearance Channels: Green, Yellow, Red, Grey
Every shipment entering Brazil through SISCOMEX is automatically assigned to one of four inspection channels. Your agent's compliance track record and documentation quality directly influence which channel your shipment receives.
Coverage: 15 Brazilian Ports
We provide ship spares logistics and customs clearance at every port we cover — from the Amazon to the far south of Brazil. No sub-agents for spares handling: our own operations teams coordinate directly at each location.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on the regime. For parts entering under Admissão Temporária — typically equipment that arrives for an onboard repair and leaves with the vessel — a Brazilian Importer of Record is not always required, and Costa Maritime can act through its local structure. If the part is being permanently imported and nationalised (DI), a Brazilian Importer of Record with a valid CNPJ and RADAR authorisation must act as declarant — Costa Maritime arranges this on your behalf.
Under ideal conditions — correct documentation, Green channel assignment — clearance can be completed within 24–48 hours of aircraft arrival. For vessels calling Suape or Recife, air freight to Recife International Airport (REC) cuts the road distance to approximately 40 km, making it the fastest option for Northeast Brazil port calls. Red channel assignments triggered by NCM errors can delay clearance by 3–10 days.
No. Brazil exited the ATA Carnet system on 1 January 2022 and no longer accepts ATA Carnets at entry. Temporary Admission through SISCOMEX is the correct alternative and must be arranged with a Brazilian customs broker before the shipment departs its origin country.
Pre-positioned parts must be stored in a Depósito Aduaneiro Especial (bonded warehouse) under tax suspension. The DTA regime governs their onward transfer to the port once the vessel arrives. Costa Maritime coordinates bonded storage and DTA filing at all 15 covered ports, with last-mile delivery timed to your vessel's berthing window.
Delivery of spare parts onboard requires coordination with the Port Authority, the terminal operator, and — for IMO or dangerous goods cargo — advance terminal acceptance confirmation. Not all Brazilian terminals handle dangerous goods. Costa Maritime confirms compatibility and coordinates all access permissions as part of the standard last-mile delivery service.
Need Urgent Spare Parts Clearance?
Our operations desk is available 24/7 via WhatsApp and email. Tell us your vessel's ETA, the parts coming in, and the port of call — we handle everything from there.
Talk to Our Ops Desk on WhatsApp →