In a country with continental dimensions like Brazil, logistics is one of the main challenges to competitiveness in international trade. The long distances between production hubs and seaports make the flow of goods costly and bureaucratic.
In this context, dry ports, also known as Inland Customs Stations (EADI), emerge as a strategic solution. Located in secondary zones and under the jurisdiction of the Federal Revenue Service, they bring customs services closer to production regions, ensuring greater speed, efficiency, and cost reduction in import and export operations.
What Are Dry Ports?
Dry ports are customs areas located inland, away from the coast. They function as extensions of seaports and airports, allowing customs procedures such as inspection, clearance, and storage to be carried out closer to producers and industries.
With their intermodal nature, they can be accessed by road, rail, air, or waterways, making them versatile logistics hubs. In addition to customs clearance, they also provide warehousing, cargo consolidation, and value-added services.
Operations, Customs Regimes, and Services
The role of dry ports varies depending on the type of operation.
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Imports: Goods arrive consolidated in containers and are nationalized before entering the domestic market.
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Exports: Products are received prepared for international shipment and go through clearance, labeling, and stuffing, speeding up dispatch.
These facilities also operate under special customs regimes, such as tax suspension, temporary admission of goods, and drawback benefits for raw materials used in export-oriented products.
Beyond customs processes, dry ports concentrate services that simplify logistics, including storage, weighing, cargo consolidation, and product handling. Together, these measures help reduce costs, shorten delivery times, and improve supply chain efficiency.
Sustainability and Environmental Impact
Dry ports also play an important role in Brazil’s sustainability agenda. By bringing customs services closer to production areas, they reduce the need for long-distance transport to coastal ports, directly contributing to lowering CO₂ emissions from road freight. Strategically located, they also enable better integration between different modes of transport, fostering a more balanced and environmentally responsible logistics system, aligned with global decarbonization goals.
Difference Between Seaports and Dry Ports
The main difference lies in location: while seaports and airports operate in primary zones (borders and direct entry points), dry ports are established in secondary zones, inland. They also provide greater logistical flexibility, advanced customs services, and ensure that goods reach seaports already cleared and ready for shipment, reducing bottlenecks and congestion.
Strategic Importance
Dry ports are essential for Brazil’s logistics efficiency. They ease congestion at ports and airports, lower logistical and tax costs, and reduce carbon footprint through more efficient transport solutions. They also improve cargo handling safety, reducing the risk of losses and damages, while increasing the competitiveness of exporters and importers. Ultimately, dry ports expand Brazil’s reach in global trade, connecting inland production hubs directly to international markets.
The Role of ABEPRA
In Brazil, ABEPRA (Brazilian Association of Dry Ports and Customs Facilities) represents the sector, defending the interests of concessionary companies and promoting dialogue with government authorities.
The association plays a central role in modernizing customs legislation, encouraging technological innovation, and promoting greater efficiency and sustainability in services. Through ABEPRA, the sector has an active voice in strategic discussions on concessions, investments, and regulatory improvements.
Distribution of Dry Ports in Brazil
Currently, Brazil has more than 60 dry ports, spread across 21 states.
MAP OF DRY PORTS IN BRAZIL
SOURCE:https://abepra.org.br/onde-estamos/
Overview
Dry ports have reshaped Brazilian logistics by bringing customs services closer to major production and consumption centers, acting as intermediaries between businesses and providing greater efficiency, less bureaucracy, and stronger international competitiveness. At the same time, their role in reducing emissions and promoting sustainable practices reinforces Brazil’s alignment with the global shift toward greener trade.
With ABEPRA’s institutional support, these facilities continue to advance in technology, infrastructure, and representation, consolidating themselves as a cornerstone of Brazilian logistics and foreign trade.
