Duties on Packages and Online Orders

Ordering from abroad and having it delivered to Brasil is not the same as carrying it in your suitcase. Parcels sent by post or express courier are taxed under their own rules, and the tax can change the real price of an order considerably. The rules changed again in May 2026, so older forum posts and videos may be wrong.

This guide summarizes the Receita Federal's pages on international parcels (remessas internacionais) as published at the time of checking.

Two taxes, not one

Most parcels can attract two taxes:

• Import tax (Imposto de Importação), a federal tax set by the Receita.
• ICMS, a state tax on goods. The Receita states the rate is between 17 and 20 percent depending on the state, and that it is calculated "por dentro", meaning the tax is included in its own base. That makes the effective rate higher than the headline percentage.

The customs value used as the base is the price of the goods plus freight and insurance, not just the price on the product page.

The Remessa Conforme program

Brasil has a certification program for international online stores called Remessa Conforme. Stores in the program collect the taxes at checkout, and parcels move through customs faster.

According to the Receita's page on the new rules, since May 12, 2026, for purchases by individuals from certified stores:

• Up to US$50: import tax of 0 percent.
• Above US$50, up to US$3,000: import tax of 60 percent, with a deduction of US$30 from the tax.

ICMS is still due on top, at the state's rate. The Receita notes that a 20 percent import tax rate for purchases up to US$50 applied from August 1, 2024 to May 11, 2026, so receipts from that period will look different.

Stores outside the program

For stores that are not certified, the Receita states that the import tax is 60 percent, without the deduction, plus ICMS. Taxes are paid after the parcel arrives, not at checkout. The Receita says that outside the program, the taxes are paid after release, and gives a deadline of 20 days. Check the official page for the payment method used by the carrier handling your parcel.

Working out the real price

Before you buy, do the rough maths:

1. Take the product price, plus shipping, plus any insurance. That is your customs value.
2. Check whether the store is in Remessa Conforme.
3. Apply the import tax rule for your case.
4. Add ICMS for your state, remembering it is calculated by dentro.

The Receita publishes a tax calculator on its site. Use it rather than guessing; it applies the current rates.

Package forwarding

If you use a US forwarding address to buy from stores that do not ship to Brasil, the forwarder is the shipper, and the taxes depend on how the parcel is declared and sent. The Remessa Conforme treatment applies to certified stores, so a forwarded parcel may be taxed at the full rate. Read Package forwarding explained for how forwarding works, and check the official page for how forwarded parcels are treated.

Things that cause delays

• Undervalued declarations. Declaring less than the real price can lead to fines and seizure. Ask the sender to declare the true value.
• Restricted goods. Some products need approval from other agencies, such as medicines, supplements, and some electronics. Check before you order.
• Missing CPF. Carriers generally need the recipient's CPF to clear a parcel. See Getting a CPF.
• Wrong address details. Include your apartment number and postal code (CEP).

Checklist

• Is the store in Remessa Conforme?
• What is the total customs value, with shipping?
• Which tax rule applies to that value?
• What is your state's ICMS rate?
• Did you run the numbers in the Receita calculator?
• Is your CPF on the order?

If you are bringing the item yourself instead, see Customs basics and Electronics limits.

Common questions

Does a gift from family count? Parcels sent between individuals have their own treatment. Check the official page for how gifts are handled.

Can I split one order into several small parcels? Splitting to stay under a threshold is a common idea and a poor one. The value and the sender are both visible to customs.

Who do I contact if a parcel is held? Start with the carrier's tracking page. It shows whether taxes are due or documents are missing.