Customs Basics: What You Can Bring in Your Luggage

Customs is the last door between you and the arrivals hall. In Brasil it is run by the Receita Federal, and its traveler guide (Guia do Viajante) is the official reference. This guide summarizes the parts most visitors and new residents need. It does not cover every product or every exception, and the numbers below are the ones published at the time of checking.

The allowance

The Receita sets a duty-free allowance for goods in your accompanied luggage:

• US$1,000 when you arrive by air or sea.
• US$500 when you arrive by land, river or lake.

Three details matter:

• It is individual. Each traveler has their own allowance. The Receita says it cannot be combined, so a family cannot pool allowances to cover one expensive item.
• It applies once every 30 days. Frequent travelers cannot use it on every trip.
• Arrival duty-free shops are separate. Purchases at the duty-free shop in the arrivals area have their own US$1,000 limit, apart from the luggage allowance.

What does not count

Personal items are not counted toward the allowance. The Receita describes these as items for your own use during the trip, such as clothes and toiletries, compatible with the circumstances of the trip. It lists certain used items as personal, including one used camera, one used watch and one used mobile phone.

It also states that some items are not considered manifestly personal, and therefore count toward the allowance. Laptops, tablets and camcorders are among them. The detail is in Electronics limits and declaring devices.

Medicines for your own use during the trip do not need to be declared, according to the Receita. Keep them in their original packaging, with your prescription.

Quantity limits

Even within the allowance, some goods have quantity limits. The Receita lists, among others:

• Alcoholic beverages: up to 12 liters in total.
• Cigarettes: up to 10 packs.
• Cigars or cigarillos: up to 25 units.
• Tobacco: up to 250 grams.
• Other goods worth less than US$10 each: up to 20 units, no more than 10 identical.
• Other goods worth more than US$10 each: up to 20 units, no more than 3 identical.

Bringing more than these quantities can make the goods look commercial rather than personal. Check the official page for the full list and for items with their own rules.

Above the allowance

If your goods exceed the allowance, you declare them. The Receita states that the excess is taxed at 50 percent of the value above the allowance. The goods-to-declare page explains how the tax is calculated and paid.

Declaring

Declaration is done through the electronic traveler goods declaration, the e-DBV. You can fill it in online before or during the trip. At the airport, you then choose your path:

• Nada a Declarar (nothing to declare), if you are within the allowance and limits and have nothing that must be declared.
• Bens a Declarar (goods to declare), if you are over the allowance, over a quantity limit, carrying controlled goods, or carrying cash above the limit.

Cash, or its equivalent in other currencies, above US$10,000 must be declared. The Receita states that a false declaration can be fined, on top of any tax due. Customs officers may inspect bags on either path.

Practical habits

• Keep receipts for valuable new items in your carry-on, so you can show their value.
• Remove packaging only if you are sure the item is personal and used. New items in boxes look like new items.
• Do not carry goods for other people. Their purchases count toward your allowance and your responsibility.
• Add it up before you fly. A list of new purchases with their prices takes ten minutes and answers the question before you reach the green or red channel.

Checklist

• Total the value of new goods you are bringing in.
• Compare it with US$1,000 (air or sea) or US$500 (land).
• Check quantity limits for alcohol, tobacco and repeated items.
• Fill in the e-DBV if you need to declare.
• Keep receipts and prescriptions handy.
• Declare cash above US$10,000.

For goods arriving by mail or courier, the rules are different. See Duties on packages and online orders. For a full move, see Shipping household goods.

Common questions

Can I use my allowance for a gift? Gifts count like any other goods you carry.

Does food count? Food and plant or animal products are subject to agricultural controls as well as customs. Check the official page before packing them.