Brazil Tourism: Entry Requirements & Customs

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Entry Requirements & Customs

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Entry Requirements

Visas -- Nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand require a visa to visit Brazil. British nationals (and holders of an EU passport) do not require a visa, but do need a passport valid for at least 6 months and a return ticket. A number of visa types are available; cost, processing time, and documentation requirements vary. American citizens pay US$100 for a standard single entry tourist visa that is valid for 90 days (add another US$10 handling fees, passport photos, and courier costs if you don't live near a consulate). Count on at least 2 weeks of processing time. For Canadians a similar visa costs C$72 and takes about the same processing time. Visas for both Kiwis and Australians cost NZ$55 and A$88, respectively, plus local handling fees, and again take about 2 weeks to process.

Upon arrival in Brazil, visitors will receive a 90-day entry stamp in their passport and a stamped entry card. Hang on to the card for dear life, as losing it will result in a possible fine and a certain major hassle when you leave. If necessary, the visa can be renewed once for another 90 days. Visa renewals are obtained through the local Policia Federal. This is best done in large cities where the staff has experience with tourists.

For more information regarding visas and to obtain application details, contact the Brazilian consulate in New York (tel. 917/777-7777; www.brazilny.org), Los Angeles (tel. 213/651-2664), or Miami (tel. 305/285-6200; www.brazilmiami.org.). Links will connect you to the consulate closest to you. Canadians can apply through Toronto's Brazilian consulate (tel. 416/922-2503; www.consbrastoronto.org.) In the U.K., more information is available at www.brazil.org.uk. Australians can log on to www.brazil.org.au, and in New Zealand inquiries can be made in Wellington at 04/473-3516 or via e-mail to brasemb@ihug.co.nz.

Customs

What You Can Bring In -- Upon arrival in Brazil you will go through Customs, but as a visitor you are unlikely to be scrutinized very closely. However, there are random checks, and your luggage may be thoroughly inspected. Visitors are allowed to bring in whatever they need for personal use on their trip, including electronics such as a camera and laptop. Gifts purchased abroad worth more than US$500 must be declared. Merchandise for sale or samples should also be declared upon arrival.

What You Can Take Home -- Returning U.S. citizens who have been away for at least 48 hours are allowed to bring back, once every 30 days, US$400 worth of merchandise duty-free. You'll be charged a flat rate of 4% duty on the next US$1,000 worth of purchases. Be sure to have your receipts handy. On mailed gifts, the duty-free limit is US$100. You cannot bring fresh foodstuffs into the United States; tinned foods, however, are allowed. For more information, contact the U.S. Customs Service, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20229 (tel. 800/973-2867 or 202/354-1000) and request the free pamphlet Know Before You Go. It's also available on the Web at www.customs.gov. (Click on "Traveler Information," then "Know Before You Go.")

For a clear summary of Canadian rules, write for the booklet I Declare, issued by Revenue Canada, 2265 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa K1G 4KE (tel. 506/636-5064). Canada allows its citizens a yearly C$750 exemption, and you're allowed to bring back duty-free one carton of cigarettes, one can of tobacco, 40 imperial ounces of liquor, and 50 cigars. In addition, you're allowed to mail gifts to Canada valued at less than C$60 (one per day), provided they're unsolicited and don't contain alcohol or tobacco (write on the package "Unsolicited gift, under $60 value"). All valuables should be declared on the Y-38 form before departure from Canada, including serial numbers of valuables you already own, such as expensive foreign cameras. Note: The $750 exemption can only be used after an absence of 7 days.

U.K. citizens have a customs allowance of 200 cigarettes; 50 cigars; 250 grams of smoking tobacco; 2 liters of still table wine; 1 liter of spirits or strong liqueurs (over 22% volume); 2 liters of fortified wine, sparkling wine, or other liqueurs; 60cc (ml) perfume; 250cc (ml) of toilet water; and £145 worth of all other goods, including gifts and souvenirs. People under 17 cannot have the tobacco or alcohol allowance. For more information, contact HM Customs & Excise, Passenger Enquiry Point, 2nd Floor Wayfarer House, Great South West Road, Feltham, Middlesex, TW14 8NP (tel. 0181/910-3744, from outside the U.K. 44/181-910-3744), or consult its website at www.open.gov.uk.

The duty-free allowance in Australia is A$400 or, for those under 18, A$200. Personal property mailed back from Brazil should be marked "Australian goods returned" to avoid payment of duty. Upon returning to Australia, citizens can bring in 250 cigarettes or 250 grams of loose tobacco, and 1,125ml of alcohol. If you're returning with valuable goods you already own, such as foreign-made cameras, you should file form B263. A helpful brochure, available from Australian consulates or Customs offices, is Know Before You Go. For more information, contact Australian Customs Services, GPO Box 8, Sydney NSW 2001 (tel. 02/9213-2000).

The duty-free allowance for New Zealand is NZ$700. Citizens over 17 can bring in 200 cigarettes, or 50 cigars, or 250 grams of tobacco (or a mixture of all three if their combined weight doesn't exceed 250g); plus 4.5 liters of wine and beer, or 1.125 liters of liquor. New Zealand currency does not carry import or export restrictions. Fill out a certificate of export, listing the valuables you are taking out of the country; that way, you can bring them back without paying duty. Most questions are answered in a free pamphlet available at New Zealand consulates and Customs offices: New Zealand Customs Guide for Travellers, Notice no. 4. For more information, contact New Zealand Customs, 50 Anzac Ave., P.O. Box 29, Auckland (tel. 09/359-6655).

Begin the Trip with Duty-Free Shopping--Other countries normally force you to do your duty-free shopping before arrival. In Brazil you're allowed to spend up to US$500 in the duty-free shop upon arrival, and its completely up to you whether you blow the money on cases of Johnny Walker, gallons of aftershave, or chocolates enough to feed an army of kindergarteners. In the airport just follow the signs after immigration and before going through Customs. Prices in these duty-free shops are pretty good on an international scale, and much cheaper than you'll find in Brazil itself. Note that the generous import allowance only counts for goods purchased in the Brazilian duty-free shop upon arrival. Yes, they want your dollars...

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Brazil Tourism: Entry Requirements & Customs

Entry Requirements & Customs

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