Moving To Brazil

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As an advanced emerging economy and a powerhouse in South America, moving to Brazil from the USA offers significant life changes. Brazil is the largest country in Latin and South America and observes a huge number of relocation from the USA and from the other parts of the world every year. A historically diverse nation and a cultural melting pot, Brazil has a lot to offer when you move to Brazil from the USA.

Moving to Brazil from USA

The International Sea & Air Shipping Advantages

On the eastern side of the country Brazil has a long coastline with the Atlantic Ocean that stretches around 4655 miles! But Brazil is not all about seas and beaches. Of course, the famed Amazon river basin and the forest is there. But apart from these the country enjoys varied topography. When you are moving to Brazil from the USA you open up chances to explore this amazing resourceful country.

However, like any other moves, domestic or international, where you need to uproot yourself and your family to settle down at a completely new location can be a lot to process. And when it is an international relocation the scale of the things to do just gets bigger for every aspect of your move to Brazil from the USA!

But worry not! When you get in touch with us at International Sea & Air Shipping there is enough hope for a hassle-free international relocation! We understand the emotions, the confusions and the hassles tangled with each and every step of your relocation to Brazil from the USA and we have the expertise to untangle them for you! Experienced relocation professionals on our team possess the knowledge to guide you at every step. You can look forward to professional assistance from International Sea & Air Shipping when you are moving to Brazil from the USA.

For LCL (Less than Container Load) volumes, we offer door-to-door Groupage service in a consolidated container so that our quotations include all port charges at destination. Most providers do not include port fees which may come as an unwanted surprise. These port charges can amount to an additional $1,500-$4,000 depending on your shipment size, however we include them from the beginning so you know exactly what you are getting. This is a premier advantage using our Groupage Container Service with competitive pricing that includes port fees at destination and, most of all, Peace of Mind.

What makes us a trusted relocation partner is that we are capable of providing end to end specialized services for all types of relocation from the origin to the destination countries. So, let our professionals handle your international relocation to Brazil from the USA while you focus on the post-move settling down in your dream country.

About Brazil

Brazil (officially the Federative Republic of Brazil), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America, and the fifth overall largest country in the world with the seventh largest economy. It’s also a country whose landscape has the greatest biodiversity on the planet, containing everything from rainforests (like 60 percent of the Amazon rainforest) and pine forests, to dunes and sandy beaches, and an extensive and complex system of rivers. It shares land borders with Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and Venezuela.

Brazil, the largest Portuguese-speaking country in the world, derives much of its culture from  Portugal. Explorer Pedro Álvares Cabral claimed it as a Portuguese colony from 1500 to 1808.

Brazil has strong ties to a European country. It’s famous for its lively party scene, especially in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian Carnival, also known as Carnaval do Brasil or simply Carnival, happens every year from Friday to Tuesday before Ash Wednesday, marking the start of Lent.

Customs Regulations for Brazil

  • Passport (original)
  • Stamped Visa
  • Residence Visa
  • Brazilian I.D. card
  • Inventory in Portuguese (two originals)
    • Divide the inventory into two separate inventories. The first inventory should list used items, and the second inventory should contain “new” items, defined as items less than six months old.
    • Itemize the inventory in detail, including brand names, make, model, and serial numbers for all electrical items.
    • Must show the estimated value of the item in U.S. dollars
    • Temporary visa holders must legalize it through the Brazilian Consulate.
    • List pets on the inventory.
  • Certificate of Residence issued by the Brazilian Consulate (for returning citizens)
  • Proof of revenue abroad
  • Proof of residence abroad for over one year
  • Work Contract and Customs Bond for Customers holding a temporary visa
    • Holders of a temporary visa must re-export goods upon the expiration of the contract.
  • “Termo de Responsibilidade” (guarantee)
  • Power of Attorney forms provided by the Destination Agent
    • Letter authorizing Destination Agent to clear shipment
  • Permission of only two shipments, one by sea and one by air.
  • Shipments must arrive in Brazil no sooner than three months before or no later than six months after Customer’s arrival
    • Shipments must embark from the customer’s resident country.
  • Inspection of shipments must be 100 percent.
  • Initiation of clearance is done only after receiving all the necessary documents.


In Brazil, certain articles may prohibit importation. These items include, but are not limited to:

  • Illegal drugs
  • Guns, explosives and ammunition
  • Knives and other deadly weapons
  • Unauthorized pets and animals
  • Counterfeit money and goods
  • Hazardous materials
  • Pornographic material

Some articles may have restricted quantities or require special authorization/ payments of duties and taxes to clear customs in Brazil. These items may include:

  • Alcohol and tobacco products
  • Appliances
  • Bicycles
  • Photo, audio and video equipment
  • Computers need a special entry permit from SEI (list model, serial number and accessories)


Before entering Brazil, some items require permission from the Ministry of Agriculture. These include:

  • Fresh fruit and vegetables
  • Fresh, dried, or canned meats and meat products
  • Fish and fish products
  • Dairy products such as milk, eggs, cheese, etc.
  • Honey including royal jelly, beeswax and propolis
  • Flowers, plants or plant parts like bulbs, seedlings, plant cuttings, etc.
  • Insects
  • Snails
  • Bacteria or fungi
  • Birds
  • Animal food
  • Agrochemicals
  • Biological materials for scientific study or other purposes (semen, embryos, biological or veterinary products)
  • Untreated wood


To protect Brazilian crops and fauna from the Chinese Bug (Anoplophora Glabripennis), the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture has imposed immediate and severe restrictions on pallets, wooden airvans, lift-vans, crates, etc.

  • Wooden units must have a fumigation certificate issued by the applicable official government agency in the origin country
  • Certify the treatment of wood with heat, fumigation, or another agreed-upon chemical product.
  • Complete fumigation no more than 15 days before shipment.
  • If wooden crates, units, or pieces arrive in Brazil without the certificate, the customer will either incur the expense of incineration or treatment (if possible).

In Brazil, only foreign diplomats are granted permission to import motor vehicles.

  • Passport
  • The Bill of Lading
  • REDA-E (Diplomatic-Free Entry Document – obtained from the embassy through the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
  • Power of Attorney (from the Embassy)
  • Proof of ownership
  • Receipt of purchase

When importing a pet to Brazil, the requirements are:

  • An International Health Certificate
    • Issued within 10 days of departure from the Customer’s country of origin
    • If not in Portuguese, the customer may need to have the document translated by a sworn translator
  • Rabies Vaccination Certificate for all pets 90 days or older (unless pet is coming from a country declared rabies-free)
    • You must issue it 30 days before your intended arrival date.
    • Vaccination should be valid for at least one year
  • Air Waybill for all pets arriving in Brazil as cargo
  • Cats and dogs are subject to examination upon arrival in Brazil
  • You may import household goods and personal effects duty and tax free if you have owned and used them for at least six months and do not plan to resell them.
  • Presents, souvenirs, computers and carpets are all duty-free if they are part of the household goods shipments
  • Customs considers clothes and other articles deemed personal items as duty-free.
  • Books, magazines (printed on paper), and periodicals such as newspapers are not subject to taxation, even if they are new.
  • Strongly advise against importing new items, as they will incur high duties and fines.
    • New items sent as unaccompanied baggage are subject to duties totaling 50% of the value of said goods
    • Customer must present these items on a separate invoice
  • Other items also subject to high duty fees include:
    • Duplicate items
    • Electrical appliances
    • Wedding trousseaux
    • Items which have been inherited
    • New furniture
    • Alcohol
    • Tins of food

NOTE – Customs regulations are subject to change at any time. The proceeding information is a brief summary of customs regulations applicable to household goods shipments to this destination and is being provided for general guidance to assist our Agents and Customers. International sea & air shipping is not liable for costs, damage, delays, or other issues due to changing regulations. Always double check with your local embassy or consulate.

Call our International Moving Specialists @ 1 (866) 315-4170

What to expect when you are moving to Brazil from the USA?

Quality of life; cultural differences

When you are relocating to Brazil from the USA expect to meet a different set of cultural practices. The social norms and customs, the family based lifestyle, the laid back pace of life – all add to the charm that Brazil upholds. However, being a fast emerging economy Brazil offers good quality of life and a high human development index.

Cost of living in Brazil

Now, here is the good news part. Cost of living in Brazil when you are relocating to Brazil from the USA will be a lot reasonable on all accounts! Whether it is renting an accommodation or eating out at top class eateries – you can expect an average 40% lower cost than that of the western countries! Now isn’t it wonderful!

Good places to live in Brazil

When you are moving to Brazil from the USA you need to know what are the top places for an expat. Now, moving to the capital, Brasilia is always an option to access facilities faster. Sao Paolo is the most populous city in this country. Apart from these, however, there are some other major places which you can consider for your relocation to Brazil from the USA. Here is a comprehensive list –

  • Rio de Janeiro
  • Salvador
  • Vitória
  • Florianopolis
  • Porto Alegre
  • Curitiba
  • Recife
  • Fortaleza

All you need to know about the visas to move to Brazil from the USA

When you have decided to move to Brazil from the USA you need to get all the information on this important piece of document that will dictate your terms of staying in this country.

Brazil encourages and has a comparatively relaxed procedure for short term visas. If you are staying less than 90 days you can apply for these. Moving to any other international location in Brazil also there are work visas and investment visas available. Let us give you more details on these to assist in your relocation to Brazil from the USA.

Short Term Visa


Short stays in Brazil from the USA (less than 90 days) may not require a visa. Stays over 90 days will require the appropriate visa to justify your stay.

For business trips exceeding 3 months, secure the appropriate short-term visa. If you are staying short term and do not need the visa you have to produce a document supporting that you have sufficient funds to support your stay in Brazil and a return ticket, as well.

Student and artist visas are the other short-term visas that authorities can issue for periods exceeding 90 days.

Work Visa

Termed as V Visa or the VITERM visa, to move to Brazil from the USA and stay there to work you will need to apply for a V visa. The VITERM is a temporary visa for contractual employment with a Brazilian employer. It’s valid for up to 2 years and can be renewed, but job changes are not allowed on a V category visa.

There are other work visas available in Brazil to move from the USA and stay here and work. Even digital nomads can obtain a visa providing they are earning US$1500/ month.

Investment Visa

An individual or a company one owns can invest in Brazil for research or real estate and obtain an investment visa. The minimum amount required is 150,00 RBL.

Retirement Visa


As a US citizen, if you can show income proof of US$2,000, you can move to Brazil from the USA to retire in this charming country.

Permanent Visa

In Brazil, they call a permanent visa VIPER. If you can satisfy the requirements for a permanent visa, including a clean criminal record and skills contributing to the Brazilian economy, you can move to Brazil from the USA, stay, work, and even change jobs without losing the residential permit.

 

FAQ’s

Can I work in Brazil as a US citizen?

Yes. These are all subject to proper visa arrangements. Read the documents above on the visa requirement.

How much does it cost to move to Brazil from the USA?

Any international relocation cost will always depend on how much household goods you are moving, container size, port or destination. On average, it can cost anywhere between $1,500 and $12,000, depending on the international mover chosen for moving to Brazil from the USA.

Can you move your pets to Brazil?

Yes. You will always have to obtain and produce an International Veterinary Certificate and rabies vaccination. In absence of IVC you may produce an approved Pet Passport.