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$100, 50, 20, 10, 5 and 2. Coins are in denominations of R$1, and 50, 25, 10 and 5 centavos.
Most major international credit cards are accepted (Visa more so than other cards), though not universally; it is easier to pay by card in hotels, shops and restaurants located within the major cities.
There is an extensive network of ATMs around the country. Occasionally, getting cash from ATMs can be problematic with machines producing a sem comunicação error, which means they won’t give out any cash. Some may find they have still been debited for the sum. Check your bank statement and get in touch with the ATM operator and your bank back home if you are having trouble withdrawing money.
Traveller's cheques are becoming increasingly difficult to cash and visitors will find that they often lose money when doing so. Withdrawing cash directly from ATMs is preferable. Banks will not cash traveller's cheques into foreign currency, (including US Dollars) but some hotels will accept payment in traveller's cheques.
There are no restrictions on the import and export of foreign and local currency, but amounts higher than R$10,000 must be declared.
All banks, casas de cambio, travel agencies and authorised hotels exchange recognised traveller's cheques and foreign currency. The US Dollar is the most widely accepted foreign currency.
If you wish to change back any left over reais, it is advised that you keep the initial receipt issued at the time of their purchase.
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$1000 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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