Duty-Free Rules in Brazil
Duty-free shops are very popular amongst Brazilians due to the protectionist policy adopted by the federal government that makes importing practices impracticable. Learn in this article what are the rules for bringing duty-free products into Brazil.
Duty-free shops
Duty-free shops are commercial establishments located in departure and boarding lounges of airports. The products sold in these stores have their taxes reduced or even exempted and for this reason, they are very popular among travelers.
These stores are not restricted to airports though, as we can see in countries like Argentina and Uruguay. In Brazil, they only exist in areas with a major circulation of travelers, such as airports and ports, and must follow Portaria 204, which is a set of regulations regarding what can be imported to Brazil. This list includes mostly products that are considered to be dangerous such as explosives and corrosive materials. The entire list can be checked here
It is no secret that taxes for imported products are very high in Brazil, so duty-free shops are the best alternative for those who are travelling and do not have too much money to spend on imports. Even though the Brazilian duty-free shops practice prices that can be 67% higher when compared to this kind of store in other countries, it is still cheaper than trying to import it regularly.
What can be brought into Brazil?
Imported products in Brazil tend to cost twice the price it would cost in the country of origin or even in other foreign countries. For this reason, importing some products to Brazil can be totally impracticable. Aware of this scenario and of how it could diminish the tax collection on imports, the federal government has established limits to what can be brought at duty-free shops.
Products acquired at duty-free shops cannot have their packages opened before the traveler has left the airport or port. Also, the products for personal use and cannot be commercialized.
Each traveler can spend up to US$ 500,00 (if entering the country by air or by sea) and US$ 300 (if by land) at duty-free shops without suffering taxation. If the amount is exceeded, the same procedures applied to common luggage will apply.
Here are the products that can be acquired in duty-free shops and the accepted amount for each of them:
- 24 bottles of alcoholic drinks with a limitation of 12 identical units;
- 20 packs of cigarettes;
- 25 packs of cigars and cigarillos;
- 250g of tobacco prepared for pipe;
- 10 units of toilet articles;
- Three units of watches, machines, devices, equipment, toys, games or electric or electronic devices.
Important: if the goods are acquired at Brazilian duty-free shops at the moment in which the traveler is departing from Brazil, at duty-free shops abroad and those acquired at stores, catalogues and expositions inside the bus, airplane or boats do not qualify for the tax exemption granted to products bought in Brazilian duty-free shops at the moment the traveler has arrived in Brazil.