Importing Textiles & Clothing from Brazil

Textiles & Fashion by Air Freight: When and Why

Most textiles and clothing are shipped by sea — ocean freight is cheaper and volumes are large. But there are specific situations where air freight is unavoidable or smart:

• Seasonal pressure — If the new collection arrives late from the manufacturer in Asia and the store launch date is non-negotiable, part of the order ships by air
• Fast fashion restocking — Fashion companies quickly reorder from suppliers in Bangladesh or Vietnam based on sales data
• High-end or luxury fashion — Where the value per kilogram justifies air freight rates
• Sample shipments — Prototypes and samples for showrooms or photography — speed is essential

Importing from Brazil

Brazil is a top producer of agricultural commodities: soy, sugar, coffee, citrus, and meat. Additionally, Brazil exports aircraft parts (Embraer), machinery, and petrochemical products. Airfreight from Brazil mainly involves high-value or time-sensitive goods: fresh fruit juices, pharmaceutical raw materials, aircraft parts, and gemstones.

Import Duties & Documentation

Imports from Brazil into the EU are subject to standard EU import tariffs. The EU-Mercosur trade agreement (under negotiation) is expected to lower tariffs on many Brazilian products. Certificates of origin are mandatory when claiming preferential tariffs.

Key Points for Textiles & Clothing

Origin Documentation

Textiles have strict origin rules for tariff preferences. The 'double transformation rule' states textiles acquire EU origin only if both weaving and garment manufacturing occurred in the EU. Incorrect origin declarations can lead to back payments. Aircargo.nl verifies origin on all textile shipments.

Seasonality

Fashion cargo is highly seasonal. Q4 (October–December) and Q1 (January–March) are peak periods. Plan air freight well in advance — capacity on Asia routes is scarce and expensive during peak seasons.