Brazil is pretty infamous with its importing regulations and taxes, in fact so much so that Nintendo recently ceased operations in Brazil due to import taxes.

I'm traveling to Belo Horizonte in a few weeks, and I'm going to be bringing my friends some Nintendo electronics as gifts. I understand that I can bring up to $500 USD worth of goods into the country to be exempted from the 50% import tax.

A few questions:

- What kind of form do I have to fill out for the gifts I am bringing and how do I identify the items (i.e., will generic term such as "video game" work)? Do I fill out documentation in English or Portuguese?

- What kind of documentation do I need to provide for the value of the items? Or will they just take me at my word that the Nintendo system I am bringing costs $199.99? Do I need to know the value in USD or BRL?

If anyone has any specific experience with the customs experience at CNF (Belo Horizonte) in particular, I'd be interested to hear about it.

Bring the purchase receipts as documentation of price. Otherwise they can call up any page online that they want to demonstrate the price of the item.

On the customs form ( which you get on the plane), just state "gifts" or "presents". (You are not expected to do this in other than your own language, but anyway, you could use the Portuguese word "presentes".)

Personally, I'd just pick up my luggage and get into the "nothing to declare" line with the form. They may X-Ray the bags before you get in line though. Likelihood of a gringo being pulled aside to have luggage opened and inspected is probably small.

But then, although you may think you are doing your friend a big favor or being very generous, I and many regular visitors/travelers learned long ago that most anyone in Brazil requesting such expensive electronics is actually taking the 'bringer' for a patsy, a mark, a rich gringo, which is uncomfortable at the very least once realization sets in. My advice: Learn to say no. (Bring 'em a T-shirt or something from your hometown instead.) You may think this is cynical; I know from experience it is realistic.

Unfortunately, I don't have purchase receipts for some of the items. As long as the values stated on the form seem reasonable (e.g., not $10.00 for a brand new Nintendo system, but $199.99) will the customs agents really question the price?

As for my friends, I have known them for 10+ years, so I'm not worried about them thinking of me as a gullible gringo. And even if they did, I would be happy to help them get reasonably priced Nintendo products where everything in Brazil is so absurdly overpriced. Besides, they are helping me out by hosting me in their city, so it's the least I can do.

While you mention in your original post that you are aware of the USD500 exemption, it isn't clear if you plan to exceed this amount. If not, you do not need to fill out a customs form. If you do, then yes, but only the value over USD 500 should be taxable.

Well, think about it logically. Their job is to collect duty on items, to generate revenue. They are going to value items to get the most. They use a certain internet site to refer to for value.
That vengeful thinking about 'reciprocity' also still enters into play pretty often when it comes to such government functionaries.
And they have no proof that you do not intend to sell the items.

Does that include if customs suspects that multiple items are being brought in for sale?

Well, it must be comforting for you that you're not worried about being exploited, but that doesn't change facts, whether you want to face them or not; just makes you a naive and non-Brazilian thinker. Would you feel like you had to bring something expensive to a friend hosting you in your home country? Why do you feel you must play the magnanimous rich gringo in this case then? Because it doesn't hurt, financially or otherwise? Well, that's the reason they don't feel bad about taking advantage of you. Ultimately it denigrates them. Think about it.

Anyway, enjoy the trip.

Hi Wiiville-

I have been travelling to Brazil for decades, and take gifts for friends and relatives each time I visit there. It is a friendly custom of ours, and other visitors, and we have never experienced a problem.

Just take what you can in the way of documentation, and fill out the form for anything in excess the $ 500 USD amount.

If you are customs inspected, you are in compliance, and have nothing to be concerned about. Just be open, honest, and friendly with the inspector.

If you are not, then continue on your way and enjoy your trip !