Which country has the higher VAT rate, Brazil or Argentina?

Brazil: 17-25% ICMS + IPI + PIS/COFINS. Argentina: 21%.

What's the de minimis import threshold for each?

Brazil: USD 50. Argentina: USD 50.

Who is the customs authority in each country?

Brazil: Receita Federal do Brasil — RFB (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service). Argentina: Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP).

Which categories are restricted in each?

Brazil restricts: Firearms and ammunition (Army controlled; strict export/import restrictions); Medicines and pharmaceuticals (ANVISA registration required for commercial imports); Food products (MAPA — Ministry of Agriculture registration and inspection); Chemicals and pesticides (IBAMA and ANVISA permits); Endangered wildlife (IBAMA permit required); Vehicles (DENATRAN and INMETRO certification). Argentina restricts: Firearms and ammunition (ANMAC / RENAR registration; import permit); Pharmaceuticals (ANMAT registration; personal prescription exception); Agricultural produce (SENASA phytosanitary inspection); Cultural heritage objects (Comisión Nacional de Museos export permit — also applies on departure); Electronics over USD 2,000 (simplified courier tax ceiling).

🇧🇷 Brazil vs 🇦🇷 Argentina

Side-by-side customs reference: duty-free allowance, de minimis, VAT, restricted and prohibited categories, and customs authority.

	🇧🇷 Brazil	🇦🇷 Argentina
Customs authority	Receita Federal do Brasil — RFB (Brazilian Federal Revenue Service)	Dirección General de Aduanas (AFIP)
VAT / GST	17-25% ICMS + IPI + PIS/COFINS	21%
De minimis (USD)	USD 50	USD 50
Cash declaration (USD)	USD 10000	USD 10000
Duty-free alcohol (L)	12	2
Duty-free cigarettes	200	400
Duty-free personal goods (USD)	USD 500	USD 500
Prohibited categories	Narcotics and controlled substances; Counterfeit goods; Pornographic material involving minors; Products from endangered species without permits; Certain weapons and explosives without permits	Narcotics and psychotropic substances (SEDRONAR / national police); Counterfeit currency and goods; Obscene material; Certain used goods competing with protected domestic manufacturing
Restricted categories	Firearms and ammunition (Army controlled; strict export/import restrictions); Medicines and pharmaceuticals (ANVISA registration required for commercial imports); Food products (MAPA — Ministry of Agriculture registration and inspection); Chemicals and pesticides (IBAMA and ANVISA permits); Endangered wildlife (IBAMA permit required)	Firearms and ammunition (ANMAC / RENAR registration; import permit); Pharmaceuticals (ANMAT registration; personal prescription exception); Agricultural produce (SENASA phytosanitary inspection); Cultural heritage objects (Comisión Nacional de Museos export permit — also applies on departure); Electronics over USD 2,000 (simplified courier tax ceiling)
Known scams	Unofficial 'Brazil e-Visa' intermediaries appearing before the government portal. From 2025, many nationalities are visa-exempt or use the new gov.br/mre e-visa system directly.	'Blue dollar' currency exchange touts at EZE arrivals offer informal rates. Since the peso unification of December 2023, the parallel rate gap has narrowed — compare the official rate before agreeing. • Remis / taxi fare overcharging between EZE and central Buenos Aires. Use only the official Manuel Tienda León counter or pre-booked transfer.

Detailed pages: Brazil • Argentina

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