Brazil customs rules & duty-free allowances
Brazil's customs service is aggressive about undeclared goods and cash — every bag goes through an X-ray machine on arrival, and the green channel is not a free pass. The single biggest trap for visitors is the duty-free allowance, which is far lower than many travellers assume, and anything above it is taxed at a flat 50% on the spot. If you are carrying a new laptop, camera or phone still in its box, expect to pay duty unless you can prove you already owned it before flying.
Duty-free allowances
Prohibited — banned from import
- Narcotics and psychotropic drugs (including cannabis, even for medical use without ANVISA authorisation)
- Fresh meat, dairy, eggs, honey and unpasteurised products from most countries
- Live plants, seeds, soil and fresh fruit/vegetables
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives without prior military authorisation
- Counterfeit goods and pirated media
- Certain pesticides and hazardous chemicals
Restricted — allowed with a permit or declaration
- Prescription and controlled medications — require ANVISA permit for controlled substances
- Pets and animals — need import permit and health certificate
- Drones — must be registered with ANAC and declared
- Satellite phones and radio transmitters — require Anatel licence
- Cultural artefacts and protected wildlife products — CITES permits required
Arriving: red vs green channel
After immigration, collect your bags and walk through the customs hall. There is no red/green channel at most Brazilian airports — instead, everyone passes through an X-ray scanner and a customs officer decides whether to pull you aside. If you have nothing to declare, walk straight through; if you have goods above US$1,000 or cash above R$10,000, you must fill in the e-DBV declaration online before arrival or at the self-service kiosks in the hall. Random inspections are common, and officers can open any bag.
Tax-free shopping & VAT refunds
Brazil has a limited tourist VAT refund scheme (Tax Free) available only at select airports — Guarulhos (GRU), Galeão (GIG), and a few others — for purchases over R$300 at participating stores. You must claim within 90 days of purchase, show the goods, the receipt and your passport at the Tax Free counter before check-in. Refunds are paid to a debit card or bank account, not cash, and typically take 30–60 days. Most travellers never use it because the minimum is high and participating stores are few.
Bringing medication
Bring personal medication in its original packaging with a doctor's prescription (translated to Portuguese if possible). Up to 30 days' supply is generally fine without prior authorisation. Controlled substances — opioids, benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and some antidepressants — require a special import permit from ANVISA (Brazil's health regulator) obtained before travel. Note that some common Western drugs are restricted or banned here, including certain stimulants and high-dose codeine products. Declare all medication on the e-DBV if you are unsure.
Food, plants & animal products
Brazil is strict on agricultural biosecurity. Fresh fruit, vegetables, seeds, plants, soil, meat, dairy, eggs and honey are prohibited or require a phytosanitary certificate. Commercially packaged, shelf-stable foods (biscuits, chocolate, coffee, tea) are usually fine in small quantities. Anything animal- or plant-based must be declared — undeclared food is confiscated and can trigger a fine. If in doubt, declare it.
Rules worth knowing
The US$1,000 allowance is per person, not per family
Each traveller gets their own US$1,000 duty-free allowance. A family of four can pool US$4,000, but you must declare each person's share separately on the e-DBV. Do not put all the new electronics in one bag and claim it as one person's allowance — officers check.
Used personal items are exempt — but prove it
Laptops, cameras, phones and clothes you already owned before the trip are not counted against the US$1,000. However, if the item looks new (no scratches, original box, receipt in the bag), the officer can assume it was bought abroad and tax it. Carry receipts or photos showing prior ownership.
The 50% flat tax is charged on the spot
If you exceed the allowance, you pay 50% of the excess value immediately at the customs counter — card or cash in reais. There is no appeal process at the airport. If you refuse to pay, the goods are seized and you may face a fine.
Tobacco allowance is per type, not combined
You cannot mix 100 cigarettes and 12 cigars. The allowance is 10 packs of cigarettes OR 25 cigars OR 250g of pipe tobacco. Choose one category. This trips up travellers used to the EU's combined 200-cigarette rule.