Can I send documents and photos to Brazil?
Allowed
Yes.
Personal papers, documents, and photos are fine. Printed photo albums aren't books for tax purposes, so they may be taxed on their value.
More rules for Brazil
Allowed with conditions
- Food of animal or plant origin
- Agriculture ministry (Vigiagro) rules apply. Its list allows only factory-made products in intact original packaging, labeled with contents and origin. Raw or homemade meat and dairy are banned, fresh fruit and vegetables need a phytosanitary certificate, and items that don't comply are seized and destroyed.
Quantity limits
- Books
- Books are immune from import tax. Photo albums don't count as books.
Before you ship to Brazil
- Tax-free limit
- There is no tax-free amount for boxes sent between private people. The USD 50 exemption for parcels between individuals ended on August 1, 2024. Since May 12, 2026, a 0% import tax up to USD 50 applies only to purchases from online stores certified in Receita Federal's Remessa Conforme program, and those still pay ICMS. Courier shipments under the simplified regime can be worth up to USD 3,000 (about BRL 15,600), counting shipping and insurance.
- Receiver ID
- CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas) needed. Receita Federal requires the receiver's CPF and full name, exactly as registered, on the waybill and invoice. A foreign receiver without a CPF can give a passport number instead. If the CPF is missing, doesn't match the name, or isn't in regular status, the courier can't register the declaration and the box can be sent back.
- Transit
- 4-8 business days from North America or Europe; 6-10 from Asia
Questions
Can I send documents and photos to Brazil?
Yes. Personal papers, documents, and photos are fine. Printed photo albums aren't books for tax purposes, so they may be taxed on their value.
Ask about a specific item
Official sources
- 1.
Receita Federal do Brasil
Perguntas e Respostas (opens in a new tab) - 2.
Receita Federal do Brasil
Proibições e Restrições (opens in a new tab) - 3.
Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa)
Importação de produtos controlados (opens in a new tab) - 4.
Agência Nacional de Vigilância Sanitária (Anvisa)
Anvisa atualiza regulação de cigarro eletrônico e mantém proibição (opens in a new tab) - 5.
Ministério da Agricultura e Pecuária (MAPA)
Lista de Bens Agropecuários Proibidos e Permitidos de Ingressar no Brasil como Bagagem de Viajantes (opens in a new tab) - 6.
Receita Federal do Brasil
Tributação (opens in a new tab) - 7.
Receita Federal do Brasil
Bens a Declarar, Cálculo do Imposto e Pagamento (opens in a new tab)
General guidance, not legal advice. Customs in Brazil makes the final decision on every box.