Market guide · Latin America
Selling in Brazil
Pix has become the most used payment method in Brazil, while cards remain central for parcelado instalment purchases. Shoppers expect to see the number of instalments before choosing to pay.
| Currency | Brazilian real (BRL) |
|---|---|
| Languages | Portuguese |
| Region | Latin America |
| Local acquiring | Available |
| Settlement | T+2 |
| Payout rail | Pix · Seconds, 24/7 |
| Import consumption tax | ICMS (state VAT) · 17% |
Popular payment methods
Share of online payments by method. Illustrative figures.
| Pix | 45% (45% of online payments) |
|---|---|
| Visa, Mastercard, Amex | 36% (36% of online payments) |
| Boleto Bancário | 7% (7% of online payments) |
| Mercado Pago | 5% (5% of online payments) |
How to launch in Brazil
- 1Open a sandbox accountTest every flow for Brazil with test cards and methods before you sign anything.
- 2Turn on local methodsStart with Pix, Boleto Bancário, Mercado Pago.
- 3Process domesticallyDomestic processing in Brazil avoids cross-border fees and lifts approval rates.
- 4Settle in BRLHold BRL and convert when you choose, or pay out locally.
- 5Show duty-inclusive pricesQuote ICMS (state VAT) and duties at checkout so nothing is due on delivery.
- 6Go liveVerify your business, switch your keys and watch the first orders arrive.
Duties and import tax
ICMS (state VAT) at 17% applies to most imported goods.
Thresholds: Remessa Conforme programme for small cross-border orders; rates vary by state
Regulatory notes
- Shoppers are identified by their CPF tax number, which is usually collected at checkout.
- The central bank regulates Pix and sets its rules for refunds and fraud handling.
- Cross-border sellers can join a federal compliance programme that collects import taxes at the point of sale.
Placeholder notes for the prototype, not legal advice.
Customer story nearby
Basalt Marketplace
Marketplaces
T+1
seller payouts on local rails · Illustrative
Sellers in Brazil and Mexico get paid in their own currency the next day. Onboarding takes minutes.
Lucas Ferreira, Co-founder & CTO Read the story: Basalt Marketplace