Money & duty free for Brazil
Exchange rates:
Real/ReaisC$1 = R$2.51
€1 = R$3.5
£1 = R$4.17
US$1 = R$3.37
Currency & Money
Real/Reais (BRL; symbol R$) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations of R$200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Credit cards are widely accepted in Brazil, especially in cities and tourist areas. Visa and Mastercard are the most commonly used, followed by American Express and Elo. However, some smaller businesses, street vendors, and local markets may only accept cash or PIX (Brazil's instant payment system). It's advisable to carry some cash for small purchases or in remote areas.
ATMs (known as "caixas eletrônicos") are widely available in cities and towns. However, some ATMs close at night for security reasons. Also, international withdrawals may be subject to fees, and some ATMs may have lower withdrawal limits for foreign cards.
There are no restrictions on bringing foreign currency into Brazil, but amounts exceeding R$10,000 (or the equivalent in other currencies) must be declared to customs upon arrival and upon leaving Brazil.
The Brazilian real (BRL) is not widely exchanged outside Brazil, so it's best to exchange any leftover reais before leaving the country.
Brazil duty free
The following goods may be imported into Brazil by travellers over 18 years of age once a month without incurring customs duty:
• 12L of alcohol.
• 10 packs of 20 cigarettes made outside Brazil and 25 cigars and 250g of tobacco.
Other products not mentioned above:
• If arriving via air or sea: The total value of the above items should not exceed US$1,000 with up to 20 items worth less than $10 each (no more than ten of the same item) or up to 20 items worth more than $10 each (no more than three of the same item).
• If arriving via land or water (river / lake): The total value of the above items should not exceed US$500 with up to 20 items worth less than $5 each (no more than ten of the same item) or up to 10 items worth more than $5 each (no more than three of the same item).
In addition to the US$500 limit, travellers can buy goods up to US$1,000 in value at the duty-free shop on arrival at the airport in Brazil and goods up to US$5,00 in value at duty-free shops in Brazil within time periods of 30 days. The following limits apply:
• 12L of alcohol in Brazil plus 24L of alcohol at the port of arrival (no more than 12L of the same kind of alcoholic beverage).
• 10 packs of cigarettes and 25 cigars and 250g of tobacco.
Prohibited imports include toy, replica and imitation firearms, illegal drugs, cigarettes and drinks manufactured in Brazil intended for sale abroad, unlicensed wildlife species, and counterfeit and pirated goods.
Restricted items which you must declare and have prior authorisation for include firearms and ammunition, drugs (other than prescribed drugs for personal use), animals, animal products, plants and seeds.
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