Brazilian Small Businesses Break into Southeast Asia via Shopee Export Deal

For decades, Brazil’s small artisans and family-owned manufacturers watched global trade from the sidelines, blocked by complex logistics and sky-high export costs. That barrier is now crumbling. In a landmark agreement, e-commerce giant Shopee has partnered with Brazil’s national export agency ApexBrasil and state-owned postal service Correios to catapult local businesses into Southeast Asia’s booming digital marketplace.

How the Export Pathway Unlocks New Markets

Singapore serves as the pilot market for this initiative, with Brazilian participants receiving specialized training in Southeast Asian consumer preferences, Shopee platform optimization, and access to Correios’ Exporta Fácil program—a streamlined shipping solution for small exporters. This trifecta of support dismantles traditional hurdles like customs paperwork and international payment systems.

Brazilian e-commerce sales hit $62.6 billion in 2024 (Brazilian E-commerce Chamber, 2024), yet exports remained dominated by large corporations. Now, ceramics from Minas Gerais or leather goods from Ceará can reach consumers in Thailand or Vietnam as easily as São Paulo. With over 80% of Brazilians online and digital payments surging, this deal leverages domestic digital maturity for global reach.

Economic Ripple Effects and Strategic Growth

The timing aligns with exploding Brazil-Southeast Asia trade, which jumped 21% YoY to $16.6 billion in H1 2022 (Ministry of Economy, Brazil). Shopee, operating in Brazil since 2019, sources 90% of its local inventory from Brazilian SMBs. This infrastructure now becomes an export springboard.

Key advantages for Brazilian businesses:

• Reduced Costs: Correios’ discounted international shipping
• Market Insights: Data-driven training on ASEAN buyer behavior
• Tech Integration: Shopee’s one-click listing and fulfillment

Globally, e-commerce hit $6+ trillion in 2024 (eMarketer, 2024), projected to reach $8 trillion by 2027. Brazilian businesses gain access to regions where online sales grow 15% faster than the global average. “This isn’t just about sales—it’s about diversification and resilience,” notes ApexBrasil’s director.

Broader Implications for Emerging Economies

The partnership signals a shift in how developing nations engage in global trade. Instead of relying on commodity exports or multinational intermediaries, digital platforms enable direct consumer access. Indonesia’s batik cooperatives or Ghanaian shea butter producers could replicate this model.

Shopee and ApexBrasil will refine the program using Singapore pilot data before expanding to Malaysia, Thailand, and the Philippines. As one coffee exporter in Paraná put it: “We’re no longer just local—we’re global contenders.”

This collaboration proves that technology, when paired with institutional support, can democratize global trade. For Brazilian small businesses, Southeast Asia’s 680 million consumers are now a click away. Explore export programs through ApexBrasil’s portal to start your cross-border journey.

Must Know

Q: What products can Brazilian businesses export via Shopee?
A: Eligible items include handicrafts, apparel, beauty products, and food—all compliant with ASEAN import regulations. Prohibited goods include alcohol, weapons, and perishables requiring refrigeration.

Q: How does Exporta Fácil reduce shipping costs?
A: Correios’ program simplifies customs via pre-negotiated tariffs and bundled documentation, cutting fees by up to 40% compared to standard international freight (Correios, 2024).

Q: Do sellers need prior export experience?
A: No. Shopee and ApexBrasil provide training in logistics, taxation, and localization—including translating product listings into English and Bahasa.

Q: What’s the timeline for regional expansion?
A: After Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand will open in Q1 2025, followed by Vietnam and the Philippines, pending pilot performance reviews.

Q: How are payments processed?
A: Sellers receive settlements in BRL via Shopee’s partnership with Brazilian banks, avoiding complex currency conversions. Funds clear within 14 days of delivery.

Sources: Brazilian Ministry of Economy (2022), Correios Annual Report (2024), Brazilian E-commerce Chamber (2024), eMarketer Global E-commerce Report (2024), ApexBrasil official statements.