Discover everything you need to know to buy electronics abroad and avoid surprises like taxes and voltage differences!
If you often travel abroad, you probably already know that this is an unmissable opportunity to buy electronics. After all, prices in North America and Europe are much lower than those in Latin America or Asia.
However, before making your purchases, it is important to understand that not all electronics will work in Brazil, and that there are several import rules when it comes to electronics.
In this post, I tell you everything you need to know to buy electronics abroad, including differences between voltages and frequencies, customs rules, and even tips on which electronics you can buy abroad!
Differences in electronics around the world
When purchasing electronics abroad, it is important to be aware of the differences that exist in relation to products sold in Brazil. Some of the main differences are voltage, frequency, plug and warranties.
Voltage
Voltage is one of the main differences between electronics sold in Brazil and in other countries. While in Brazil the voltage is 110V or 220V, in other countries it can vary from 100V to 240V. Therefore, it is important to check the voltage of the product before purchasing it, to ensure that it will work correctly in Brazil.
In the United States, for example, the normal voltage is 110V, which would no longer work in the south of Brazil or in several capitals without a transformer.
If you are traveling to a country with a different voltage than the one used at home, choose to buy electronics that are bivolt, that is, that work on both voltages. This configuration is standard, for example, for smartphones and notebooks.
Frequency
Another important difference is the frequency of the electrical energy. In Brazil, the frequency is 60Hz, while in other countries it can be 50Hz or 60Hz. This can affect the performance of some electronic devices, such as televisions and monitors, for example.
A common example here is Dyson hair products, which not only they are not bivolts, as they have different frequencies depending on where they are sold, meaning they do not work in all European countries. Crazy, lol.
Plug
The plug, or socket, is another aspect that may vary from country to country. In Brazil, we use the NBR 14136 standard, while in other countries a different standard may be used. Therefore, it is important to check if the product comes with an adapter or if it is compatible with the Brazilian standard.
This is the easiest part to solve as you can just buy an adapter. In these cases, the adapter does not interfere with the voltage or frequency (it is not a transformer), it is just to fit into the socket.
Warranties
Finally, it is important to be aware of the differences in product warranties. In some countries, guarantees may be different from those offered in Brazil, or even non-existent. Therefore, it is important to check the manufacturer's warranty policies before purchasing a product abroad.
In the case of Apple, for example, which is one of the brands most purchased by Brazilians abroad, the warranty is valid around the globe. In other words, if you buy an iPhone in the United States and have problems with it in Brazil, the warranty will still apply.
Understanding Customs Rules
Tax Exemption Limits
When purchasing electronics abroad, it is important to be aware of the tax exemption limits established by Brazilian customs. ACurrently, travelers returning to Brazil are entitled to an exemption quota of US$1000 on purchases made abroad, without having to pay taxes on these products.
You are entitled, however, to bring a cell phone for personal use without entering this quota. In other words, if you are going to buy an iPhone during your trip, just do not take your old cell phone and return with just the new device, so that it counts as your personal cell phone and is not considered within the US$1000.
Declaration of Assets and e-DBV
When returning to Brazil, it is mandatory to declare to the Federal Revenue any goods acquired abroad that exceed the established tax exemption quota. To facilitate this process, using the electronic system e-DBV (Electronic Declaration of Travelers' Goods) can be a convenient option. This declaration allows you to inform the purchased goods quickly and efficiently, avoiding problems upon arrival in the country.
You even have the option of not declaring your electronics purchased abroad even if they exceed the quota. Here, it's luck. Customs may stop you and search your purchases, in which case you will have to pay 100% of the excess value, or nothing will happen and you will be able to enter the country without paying anything.
Best electronics to buy abroad
Here on the blog there is a complete post about the best electronics to buy abroad. Here are some products that stand out:
Apple in general
I've already shown in several posts here on the blog how it's worth buying Apple, both in the United States and Canada and in Europe. Even including taxes, subtracting VAT through the tax-free system, paying the excess quota at customs, no matter the bill... it is always more advantageous to buy these devices abroad.
This includes iPhones, iPads, Macbooks, both Pro and Air, Mac Mini, Mac Studio, Apple Watch and even headphones, both AirPods and AirPods Pro. If you plan to buy an Apple product and have a trip planned, wait to buy abroad.
You can see the accounts in my posts about whether it's still worth buying Apple in Europe, and whether it's still worth buying Apple in the United States.
Computers
In addition to Apple, a good option to buy abroad are computers. Renowned brands such as Dell, Acer and LG have several models that are cheaper than the prices in stores in Brazil.
Furthermore, if you are a gamer or have a desktop computer, you can also benefit from purchasing computer parts abroad. A video card RTX4070, for example, can cost around US$579 in the United States, around R$3000 at the current price, while the same plate costs more than R$4500 in Brazil.
Dyson
Originally Dyson was a brand of vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, however, it is known for its hair products, with dryers, curlers and even straighteners that you can use on wet hair to make it straight.
The most famous products are the Dyson Airwap, a styler, and the Airstrait, a straightener to use on wet hair. Be careful, however, as Dyson products are not bivolt and do not work at frequencies other than those for which they were manufactured. If you are buying in the United States, for example, make sure you have a 110V socket at home to use the products. If you are buying in Europe, you will need 220V sockets.
Conclusion
When buying electronics abroad, make sure they will work in your home, and that you understand all the legal customs procedures so you don't be surprised by any fees!
This way, you can save a lot on your electronics compared to prices in Brazil!
And you, have you ever bought any electronics on a trip? How was the experience? Tell me in the comments!