Frequently
Asked Questions

Currency exchange is a financial transaction involving the exchange (buying or selling) of different currencies for the purposes of tourism, importing, exporting, financing, e-commerce, etc.

For example, when a Brazilian tourist travels abroad and needs a foreign currency, an agent authorized by the Central Bank of Brazil to operate in the currency exchange market receives from the Brazilian tourist the local currency (Brazilian real) and delivers (sells) to them the foreign currency.

When shopping on an e-commerce site hosted in another country, Brazilian consumers pay in Brazilian real, but a currency exchange transaction is required in order for the owner of the international e-commerce business to receive the payment in their local currency. In this case, a currency exchange operator also is needed, even for online (e-commerce) transactions.

Also, when a Brazilian exporter sells its merchandise to a foreign customer, payment is made by the customer in a foreign currency and a Brazilian currency exchange operator is responsible for converting the amount into the local currency so that the exporter can be paid.

An exchange rate is the rate at which one currency is exchanged for another. It reflects the price of a currency in units or fractions (cents) in relation to another currency. In Brazil, the most traded foreign currency is the U.S. dollar. Hence, the most commonly used rate is that of the Brazilian real in relation to the U.S. dollar, which may appreciate or depreciate.

Term used to define the selling (or buying) of goods and services involving two or more countries. Transactions involving sales and purchases of Brazilian goods to or from foreign countries are called cross-border transactions.

E-commerce is a type of commerce in which transactions are carried out through virtual stores and platforms that offer products and services. Today, tens of millions of Brazilians shop online using their smartphones and computers to access these virtual platforms.

A type of electronic commerce in which the buyer and the shopping platform are not located in the same country. When a Brazilian or a Brazilian resident makes a purchase from a foreign online store/platform, we call this a cross-border e-commerce transaction.

Payment vehicle that, once the issuer bank authorizes the credit, authorizes the purchase of a good or service either in person or online. The cardholder usually pays for its expenditures on a certain date, the date on which the credit card bill is due.

This card allows the cardholder to acquire goods and services in foreign currencies, whether online (e-commerce) or in person.

In Brazil, less than 20% of the credit cards are authorized to make international purchases.

Payment vehicle that, once the issuer bank authorizes the credit, authorizes the purchase of a good or service either in person or online. The cardholder usually pays for its expenditures on a certain date, the date on which the credit card bill is due.

This card does not allow the holder to acquire goods and services in foreign currency, whether online (e-commerce) or in person.

In Brazil, more than 80% of the credit cards are not authorized to make international purchases.

Payment vehicle through which the purchase of a good or service is authorized and debited immediately.

This card allows the holder to acquire goods and services in foreign currency, whether online (e-commerce) or in person.

One of the main payment means used in Brazil. This is a billing slip that can be paid at a bank or any associated institution until the due date. The slips include basic collection information and a bar code to enable online payment or on-site payment at banks and other institutions.

This payment vehicle does not allow consumers to acquire goods and services in foreign currency, whether online (e-commerce) or in person.

One of the main payment means used in Brazil. In this case, payment is made directly from the debited account to the credited account. Transfers are made observing certain rules, such as the amount involved and calendar restrictions, such as weekends and transfer hours.

This payment vehicle does not allow consumers to acquire goods and services in foreign currency, whether online (e-commerce) or in person. A wire transfer that involves currency exchange can only be made through an especially authorized bank or brokerage.