The first time I visited a dry port in Brazil, I had to double-check my GPS. Customs out here, hours from the sea? The image in my mind had always been bustling, salt-laden wharves—not a tidy inland facility dotted with freight containers. Yet here, in the heart of Brazil, goods zipped through clearance, trucks loaded and departed—all under the gaze of the Federal Revenue Service. Decentralized? Absolutely. Game-changing? More than I imagined. Turns out, these remote hubs are reshaping the backbone of Brazil’s commerce.
Rethinking Distance – Logistics Challenges Across Brazil’s Continents
Brazil’s sheer size transforms logistics into a high-stakes challenge, where every kilometer between a farm, factory, and port can mean higher costs and lost opportunities. Stretching across 21 states and covering continental distances, the country’s geography demands creative solutions for moving goods efficiently. For exporters and importers, especially those in agribusiness, the journey from production zones deep inland to the crowded coastal ports is often a marathon fraught with obstacles.
Vast distances are only part of the story. The long hauls required to reach Brazil’s main seaports, such as the Port of Santos, add not just to transportation bills but also to the risk of delays and bureaucratic slowdowns. As one logistics manager from a major soy exporter put it:
‘Moving beans from Mato Grosso to the sea is like running a marathon with hurdles every mile.’
These hurdles are not just metaphorical. In 2024, only 23% of containers at the Port of Santos departed on time, with 55% of vessels facing delays. Such port congestion is a persistent pain point, particularly for agribusiness exports where timing is critical. In March 2025 alone, coffee exporters lost an estimated $1.57 million due to bottlenecks at the port, highlighting how delays can ripple through the entire supply chain and impact Brazil’s competitiveness on the global stage.
Brazilian ports, especially those along the coast, are frequently overwhelmed by the sheer volume of goods arriving from distant production centers. The result is a cascade of logistical headaches:
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Long road journeys from inland farms and factories to the coast
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Congested port infrastructure unable to keep pace with export demand
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Mounting paperwork and customs clearance delays
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Increased operational costs for storage, demurrage, and late shipments
For agribusiness exporters, these challenges are especially acute. Brazil is a global powerhouse in soy, coffee, and meat exports, but the distance from production zones like Mato Grosso or Goiás to the nearest seaport can stretch for thousands of kilometers. Each additional day spent in transit or waiting for customs clearance services at congested ports can mean missed contracts, spoiled goods, and eroded profit margins.
Cost reduction logistics is not just a goal—it is a necessity. The inefficiencies created by Brazil’s sprawling geography and overburdened port infrastructure threaten to undermine the country’s trade ambitions. Customs bottlenecks and port congestion force exporters to build in extra lead times and buffer stocks, driving up costs and reducing the flexibility needed to compete in fast-moving global markets.
With over 60 dry port locations now distributed across Brazil’s 21 states, the logistics landscape is beginning to shift. These inland customs stations are strategically positioned to bring customs clearance services closer to production hubs, reducing the need for long, costly hauls to the coast and helping to alleviate congestion at Brazilian ports. By rethinking distance and decentralizing key logistics processes, Brazil is taking important steps to overcome the challenges posed by its continental scale and to strengthen the efficiency of its export supply chains.
Section 2: The Dry Port – Where Seaport Meets The Savanna
In a country as vast as Brazil, where production hubs can be thousands of kilometers from the coast, dry ports—officially known as inland customs stations (EADI)—have become essential to modern logistics. These facilities are often described as “airport security meets a factory floor, hours from the ocean,” acting as customs outposts deep within Brazil’s interior. Their strategic placement brings the functions of a seaport directly to the heart of the savanna, agricultural belts, and industrial centers, far from the congestion of coastal terminals.
Dry ports in Brazil operate as extensions of major seaports and airports, but their true value lies in their proximity to where goods are produced and consumed. By decentralizing customs operations, they streamline the flow of goods, reducing both transit times and operational costs. As of 2025, more than 60 dry ports are active across 21 Brazilian states, reflecting their widespread adoption and importance to the national supply chain.
Customs Regimes and Operational Flexibility
Administered by the Federal Revenue Service and governed by special customs regimes, dry ports offer a full suite of services:
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Customs clearance and inspection
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Warehousing and storage
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Cargo consolidation and deconsolidation
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Value-added logistics operations (labeling, packaging, weighing)
For imports, containers arrive at the dry port, where goods are nationalized before entering the domestic market. For exports, products are received ready for international shipment and undergo final clearance, labeling, and stuffing, accelerating their journey to global destinations. These processes, often supported by tax suspension and drawback benefits, help reduce bureaucracy and cut costs for both exporters and importers.
Intermodal Transportation: The Backbone of Logistics Efficiency
One of the defining strengths of dry ports in Brazil is their intermodal transportation capability. Unlike traditional seaports, which rely mainly on road access, dry ports are designed to connect with multiple transport modes—road, rail, air, and even inland waterways. This flexibility enables goods to flow efficiently from the production heartland to the coast, or vice versa, bypassing bottlenecks and reducing the environmental impact of long-haul trucking.
As a result, dry ports play a crucial role in logistics efficiency. Their integration with Brazil’s growing rail and river networks allows for smoother, more sustainable cargo movement. In the first five months of 2025 alone, Brazil handled a record 532 million tons of cargo, with dry ports helping to absorb much of this volume and alleviate pressure on coastal infrastructure.
‘If the seaport is the mouth, dry ports are the arteries bringing the goods to life.’ – (ABEPRA Board Member)
Strategic Impact and Sector Leadership
The strategic distribution of dry ports helps decentralize customs services, optimize logistics for diverse regions, and reduce congestion at Brazil’s main ports. Their presence in secondary zones supports advanced customs regimes and enhances the country’s export reach. Organizations like ABEPRA (Brazilian Association of Dry Ports and Customs Facilities) advocate for modernization, innovation, and sustainability within the sector, ensuring that dry ports remain at the forefront of Brazil’s logistics transformation.
By moving customs inland and integrating intermodal solutions, dry ports are quietly revolutionizing how Brazil connects its production heartlands to the world.
Section 3: More Than Logistics – Dry Ports and the Sustainability Equation
In Brazil’s vast landscape, the journey from farm or factory to the global market is often measured in thousands of kilometers. Traditionally, this meant long-haul truck journeys to distant coastal ports, driving up costs and carbon emissions. The rise of dry ports Brazil—inland customs stations strategically located near production centers—has redefined this equation, delivering both cost reduction logistics and measurable sustainability impact.
Bringing Customs Closer: Fewer Trucks, Lower Emissions
By shifting customs clearance and storage services closer to where goods are produced, dry ports minimize the need for trucks to travel the full distance to the coast. This simple change has profound environmental benefits. Every container processed inland means one less truck burning fuel across Brazil’s highways, resulting in lower CO₂ emissions and reduced fuel consumption. As one environmental policy advocate in Brazil put it:
‘Every kilometer saved on land is a breath saved for the Amazon.’
Supporting Greener Supply Chains
Dry ports are not just about moving goods—they are about moving them smarter. Their intermodal capabilities allow cargo to switch seamlessly between road, rail, and even waterways. This flexibility enables logistics planners to choose the most efficient and eco-friendly transport modes, further reducing the sector’s carbon footprint. In fact, as of 2025, logistics services in Brazil are increasingly leveraging dry ports for both speed and sustainability, aligning with the global push for greener, more efficient trade networks.
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Reduced reliance on road transport: Shorter truck routes mean less congestion and pollution.
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Intermodal integration: Rail and waterway options offer lower-emission alternatives to road freight.
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Resource efficiency: Consolidation and value-added services at dry ports reduce waste and optimize cargo loads.
Cost Reduction Logistics Meets Environmental Responsibility
For businesses, the cost reduction logistics offered by dry ports is clear: less distance traveled equals lower transportation expenses. But the benefits extend far beyond the balance sheet. By cutting unnecessary journeys and streamlining customs processes, dry ports help companies meet growing demands for sustainable operations and responsible supply chains. This dual advantage strengthens Brazil’s position in international trade while supporting its decarbonization goals.
Championing Sustainability: ABEPRA’s Role
The Brazilian Association of Dry Ports and Customs Facilities (ABEPRA) is a key driver in this transformation. ABEPRA actively promotes environmentally friendly practices, technological upgrades, and regulatory reforms that enhance both logistics efficiency and sustainability. Through advocacy and innovation, ABEPRA ensures that dry ports remain at the forefront of Brazil’s efforts to balance economic growth with environmental stewardship.
In summary, dry ports are quietly revolutionizing Brazil’s logistics landscape. By localizing customs services and embracing intermodal solutions, they deliver significant sustainability impact—reducing emissions, supporting greener supply chains, and helping Brazil achieve a more balanced logistics-environment equation.
Section 4: The Quiet Revolutionaries – Who’s Running the Show?
Behind the seamless flow of goods across Brazil’s vast landscape, a dedicated group of organizations and industry leaders are quietly transforming the nation’s logistics infrastructure. At the forefront is the ABEPRA Brazilian Association, the official representative body for the country’s dry ports sector. ABEPRA’s leadership is instrumental in shaping the future of dry ports Brazil, driving advocacy, modernization, and regulatory improvements that keep the network agile and competitive.
ABEPRA’s influence extends well beyond advocacy. By representing over 60 dry ports across 21 states as of 2025, the association ensures that the interests of concessionary companies are heard at the highest levels. ABEPRA actively engages with government agencies to streamline customs processes, promote technological innovation, and encourage sustainable practices. This commitment to modernization is vital for maintaining Brazil’s edge in international trade, especially as global logistics demands evolve. As the President of ABEPRA aptly states,
‘It’s never just about ports. It’s about building a network that lets Brazil’s industries breathe and grow.’
The modernization of port infrastructure investment is not a solitary effort. Companies like NavSupply play a critical role in supporting the operational backbone of dry ports. With over a decade of experience in logistics services Brazil, NavSupply delivers essential products and services that keep these inland customs stations running efficiently. Their expertise in warehousing, cargo handling, and supply chain solutions directly supports the daily operations of dry ports, ensuring that goods move swiftly from production centers to global markets. For inquiries or partnership opportunities, NavSupply can be reached at +55 (27) 3026-5674, 9 9282-5359, or 9 9949-5086.
Continuous investment in dry port infrastructure is a hallmark of Brazil’s approach to logistics modernization. These investments are not only expanding the physical network but also integrating advanced technologies that enhance customs clearance, cargo tracking, and environmental sustainability. The result is a resilient logistics system that reduces bottlenecks at traditional seaports, cuts operational costs, and supports Brazil’s commitment to lowering its carbon footprint.
The ongoing reform and expansion of Brazil’s dry port network, championed by ABEPRA and supported by industry leaders like NavSupply, are positioning the country as a global trade leader. The decentralization of customs services, coupled with intermodal connectivity, allows for faster, more reliable, and environmentally responsible movement of goods. This network is the quiet engine powering Brazil’s export competitiveness and economic growth.
In conclusion, the hidden heroes of Brazil’s logistics revolution are not just the ports themselves, but the people and organizations working tirelessly behind the scenes. Through advocacy, investment, and operational excellence, ABEPRA and NavSupply exemplify the spirit of innovation and collaboration. Their efforts ensure that Brazil’s logistics infrastructure remains robust, responsive, and ready to meet the demands of international trade—today and into the future.
TL;DR: Brazilian dry ports—officially called Inland Customs Stations—are quietly driving down costs, slashing red tape, and fueling greener trade. By bringing customs inland, they help bridge Brazil’s production zones and the world, all while advancing a more efficient, sustainable future.
