How to Import Frozen Açaí: A Buyer Guide

This guide is for importers, distributors and food businesses planning their first frozen açaí shipment from Brazil. It covers the steps that apply in most markets and points to official sources for the few rules we can cite. It is not legal advice: confirm the rules for your shipment with your customs broker or the authority in your country. For the UAE, see our separate UAE import guide.

1. Choose the format

Frozen açaí usually travels as one of two products. Frozen açaí pulp is an ingredient: kitchens and factories blend it into bowls, smoothies, juice and desserts. Açaí sorbet is ready to scoop and serve straight from the freezer. Terrapure quotes organic frozen açaí pulp (12% solids) in a 1.5 kg pot and a 10 kg pail, and Açaí Scoop sorbet in 10L, 5L and 2.6L tubs. The sorbet is not sold as organic. Organic freeze dried powder ships without a freezer. Read açaí sorbet vs frozen açaí pulp if you are deciding between them.

2. Check your market's import rules before you order

Each country sets its own rules for registration, labels and organic imports. Three examples with official sources:

United States: prior notice must be given to FDA for all food imported into the US (FDA), and the US importer needs a Foreign Supplier Verification Program for each food and foreign supplier (FDA, FSVP). Each organic shipment must be linked to an electronic NOP Import Certificate (USDA AMS). See açaí wholesale USA.
European Union: organic products imported into the EU travel with an electronic certificate of inspection issued in the TRACES system (Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2021/2306). See the EU wholesale guide.
Bonaire: no import duty; ABB of 8% is charged at import on the customs value (Belastingdienst Caribisch Nederland). See Caribbean açaí wholesale.

Organic rules apply only to organic products. For Terrapure, that is the frozen pulp and the powder; the organic certificate is available on request.

3. Plan the cold chain

Frozen pulp and sorbet are stored at -18°C, so every leg needs frozen storage: the export port, the sea or air leg, the import port, your cold store and the last delivery. Agree in advance who books temperature controlled transport for each leg, and how long the goods may wait at the port. Routing and delivery terms are confirmed in your quote. Our guides on cold storage for frozen açaí pulp and receiving frozen açaí pulp cover the warehouse side.

4. Agree the commercial terms

The quote sets the Incoterms (who pays and carries risk for each leg), MOQs, pallet configuration and payment terms. Duty and tariff classification depend on your country and are confirmed by your customs broker. Pricing is quoted per order, based on product, volume and destination.

5. Gather the documents

Typical paperwork for a frozen food shipment includes a commercial invoice, packing list and transport document, plus whatever your market requires for food imports. From Terrapure you can ask for:

spec sheets for each SKU (see the frozen pulp and Açaí Scoop Traditional spec sheets);
certificates of analysis, on request;
the organic certificate, on request, for the pulp and powder only;
label artwork for registration in your market.

More detail: organic açaí import documentation.

6. Review the specifications

Review the spec sheets and product details against your own equipment and menu before you commit to a first order. Samples are not currently available.

7. Send a complete brief

A good brief names the products, flavours and pack sizes, the estimated volume, the delivery point and the timing. See what to include in an açaí RFQ, then use the RFQ form.

Supply: Terrapure quotes from Brazil. We do not hold stock or have offices outside Brazil; export and delivery are confirmed on quote.

Questions buyers ask

Do I need an import licence to bring in frozen açaí?

It depends on your country. Most markets require the importer to be registered for food imports, and some require each product to be registered. Your customs broker or food authority confirms what applies.

Is the açaí sorbet organic?

No. Açaí Scoop sorbet is not sold as organic. Organic applies to the frozen pulp and powder, and the organic certificate for those is available on request.

Can I mix pulp and sorbet in one shipment?

Both are stored at -18°C. Whether they can share a shipment is confirmed with your quote, based on volume and destination.

Does Terrapure hold stock outside Brazil?

No. Terrapure quotes from Brazil and does not hold stock or have offices outside Brazil. Export and delivery are confirmed on quote.

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How to import frozen açaí: a buyer guide for importers and distributors