What you can bring back from Paraguay duty-free: 2026 allowances by country

Half the travelers returning from Paraguay with purchases never read their country's customs rules. The other half read them but don't remember. This guide summarizes — with official 2026 values — what you can bring tax-free if you're Argentine, Brazilian, Uruguayan, Chilean, Spanish, Italian or from another European destination, what happens if you exceed, how «excess» is calculated, which documents to carry, which products are restricted and how the courier regime works. All information is verifiable in linked official sources.

The base concept: luggage regime vs courier regime

Every customs system in the world has two distinct channels:

• Accompanied luggage regime: what you physically carry crossing the border or landing at the airport. Has a franchise (tax-free amount) and specific rules on which quantities qualify as personal use.
• Courier / postal import regime: what you buy online and is delivered by mail or courier. Has different franchises (sometimes higher, sometimes lower) and different procedures.

This guide mainly covers the luggage regime, mentioning courier when relevant.

Argentina (ARCA-AFIP)

2026 luggage franchise:

• Air / sea: USD 500 per adult (USD 1,200 for free-zone and Fueguian residents).
• Land / river (includes Encarnación-Posadas or Foz-CDE crossings): USD 300 per person.
• Minors under 16: 50% of adult franchise.
• Additional duty-free shop on arrival: USD 500 (air).

If you exceed: a flat 50% tax applies on the declared excess value (2024 decree). If you don't declare and customs detects, additional fine plus possible seizure.

2026 courier regime: the door-to-door regime reformed by Milei's government allows imports up to USD 3,000 per shipment with a single 50% payment (no breakdown: includes duties + VAT + internal taxes). For residential addresses, no annual limit. Relevant if you plan to buy from a Paraguayan supplier shipping by courier.

Restricted products / special attention:

• Tobacco: up to 400 cigarettes + 50 cigars + 50 g loose per person >18.
• Alcohol: up to 2 liters per person >18.
• DJI drones: mandatory ANAC registration on arrival.
• Medicines: personal use only, prescription visible.
• Pets: SENASA certificate + international health booklet.
• Cash: declare if exceeding USD 10,000.

Recommended documentation: Paraguayan invoice with your name + passport/ID, IMEI of phone and serial numbers of electronics visible on invoice.

Official source: Decree 1126/2024 ARCA-AFIP and Carta de Porte ARCA portal.

Brazil (Receita Federal)

2026 luggage franchise:

• Air or sea: USD 1,000 per person >16.
• Land or river (Foz do Iguaçu, Ponta Porã, etc.): USD 500 per person.
• Additional duty-free quota on arrival: up to USD 1,000 (air only).
• Minors: franchise is per person (not doubled for the group).
• Cigarettes: 200 + 25 cigars + 250 g loose.
• Drinks: 12 liters total.

Mandatory e-DBV: if you exceed the franchise you must fill out the Declaração Eletrônica de Bens de Viajante before reaching customs (at gov.br/receitafederal). Also applies if entering with USD 10,000 or more, pets, drones, weapons or restricted products.

If you exceed: the tax is 50% on the excess value. New (unused) merchandise declared pays that 50% and is released. Concealed or undeclared goods: 50% + fine + possible seizure.

Courier regime (Compra Pra Mim / Remessa Conforme): 2026 regime continues: shipments

Special attention:

• Electronics: invoice with name and CPF + IMEI/serial visible.
• Wristwatch: 1 per person free, additional ones counted in franchise.
• DJI drones: prior ANAC Brazil registration.
• Food: forbidden — raw meat, fresh fruit, unprocessed dairy (MAPA decree).
• USD cash: declare if exceeding USD 10,000 (or equivalent).

Official source: Receita Federal — gov.br/receitafederal.

Uruguay (DNA — Dirección Nacional de Aduanas)

2026 luggage franchise:

• Air / river: USD 800 per adult + USD 800 duty-free shop on return.
• Land: USD 300 per adult.
• Minors 12–18: 50%.
• Minors <12: 30%.

If you exceed: customs applies 60% on the excess, plus possible seizure if undeclared.

Courier regime: shipments up to USD 200 tax-free (3 per person per year). Over USD 200: 60%.

Special attention: Uruguay has stricter rules on meat products (it's a major beef exporter, protects biosecurity).

Official source: aduanas.gub.uy.

Chile (SNA — Servicio Nacional de Aduanas)

2026 luggage franchise:

• Air / sea from other countries: USD 3,000 in goods per trip (the highest in the region).
• Land from Tacna (Peru): USD 500.
• Land from Bolivia/Argentina: USD 150 (Antofagasta) or USD 250 (Arica north).
• Tobacco: 400 cigarettes.
• Alcohol: 2.5 liters of alcoholic drinks.

If you exceed: VAT 19% + average 6% duty (can be higher per tariff). Simplified procedure available at airport for excesses under USD 1,000.

Courier regime: shipments up to USD 30 exempt. Over USD 30: tribute according to tariff.

Special attention:

• SAG (Agricultural and Livestock Service): strict prohibition on undeclared fresh products — fine up to 300 UTM (~USD 22,000) for trying to bring in fruit undeclared. Chile protects its export agriculture industry with extreme rigor.
• Drones: prior DGAC registration.

Official source: aduana.cl.

Spain and European Union

2026 luggage franchise (identical EU-wide):

• Air or sea from outside the EU: EUR 430 per adult.
• Land (non-Schengen border crossing): EUR 300.
• Minors <15: EUR 150.
• Cigarettes: 200 + 100 cigarillos + 50 cigars + 250 g loose per adult.
• Alcohol: 1 L spirits >22% + 2 L wine or beer + 4 L still wine.

If you exceed: entry country VAT (Spain 21%, Italy 22%, France 20%, Germany 19%, Portugal 23%) + TARIC duty per tariff (smartphones 0%, laptops 0%, perfumes 0% — but still pay VAT). The simplified flat tariff of 17.5% applies for excesses

Courier regime: commercial shipments pay VAT from the first euro (2021 EU reform) plus duty from EUR 150.

Special attention:

• Food: forbidden — meat products, dairy, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables without phytosanitary certificate.
• Leather, ivory, protected species (CITES): forbidden or heavily regulated. Paraguayan yacaré: CITES permit required.
• Counterfeit products: automatic seizure + fine.
• USD cash: declare on EU entry if exceeding EUR 10,000.

Official source: European Commission Customs.

Italy (EU regime + specifics)

EU community regime applies. Italian specifics:

• Standard VAT 22% (among the highest in the EU).
• Extremely active counterfeit seizures (Guardia di Finanza runs random controls at Fiumicino and Malpensa).
• If you exceed and don't declare: fine up to 10× product value + seizure.
• Legal Paraguayan handicrafts (ñandutí, ao po'i, ceramics): no restriction, normal declared value.

Other destinations: USA, Canada, UK

United States (CBP): USD 800 franchise per resident or visitor >21. Tobacco: 200 cigarettes. Alcohol: 1 liter. Mandatory declaration on CBP 6059B form if exceeding. Excesses pay «flat duty» of 3% on first USD 1,000 + tariff afterwards. Agricultural products: strict APHIS-USDA control, seizure if undeclared.

Canada (CBSA): CAD 800 per resident outside >48h; CAD 200 if 24–48h. Meat products: forbidden.

United Kingdom (post-Brexit): own regime. GBP 390 per adult. Tobacco and alcohol with specific quotas.

How to calculate «excess» correctly

This is where most confusion happens:

• The declared value is the price on your Paraguayan invoice (what you paid in USD).
• If your franchise is USD 500 (AR air) and you bring an iPhone of USD 1,210, the excess is USD 710. 50% of that = USD 355 to pay to release the merchandise.
• Calculation is per person: if traveling with spouse, each has own franchise. A couple has USD 1,000 cumulative (AR air).
• You can't «pass» merchandise to your companion to fit in their franchise if you bought it. Customs understands «personal luggage regime».
• New unused goods (original tag, sealed packaging): counted at 100% of value.
• Used goods (clothes you're wearing, opened electronics): not counted in franchise.

Legal strategies to maximize your franchise

1. Travel with companions: each adult adds their franchise. Couple AR air = USD 1,000. Family of 4 BR air = USD 4,000 (if >16).
2. Air over land: AR air USD 500 vs land USD 300. Flying Buenos Aires to Asunción gives more margin than crossing through Posadas.
3. Airport duty-free: adds USD 500 (AR) or USD 1,000 (BR) on top of your origin franchise.
4. Combine product categories: having varied items (1 iPhone + 1 perfume + 1 AirPods) helps justify personal use. Same iPhone model × 5 units signals trader.
5. Always declare excess: pay the 50% and release > try to hide and risk seizure + fine.
6. Keep legal invoice: streamlines customs process.

Common mistakes that cost you money

1. Not declaring and getting bag searched: typical penalty = 100% of value + seizure. Better to pay 50% by declaring.
2. Breaking packaging before crossing: customs considers it «used», but loses resale value. Not worth it if you plan to resell.
3. Buying without legal invoice: common at street stands — without invoice you can't justify the declared price and customs may assess at market value (more expensive).
4. Forgetting Brazilian e-DBV: arriving in Foz without prior declaration when exceeding franchise: additional fine.
5. Carrying undeclared cash: >USD 10,000 undeclared = 100% seizure in BR/AR/EU.
6. Buying for third parties: if carrying 3 iPhones because «one's for my nephew», customs treats it as commercial, not luggage. Different, much more expensive regime.
7. Ignoring product-specific restrictions: drones without registration, pets without certificate, meat products: automatic seizure.

Popular Paraguayan products and their regime

Final pre-crossing checklist

• ✓ Calculate total purchase value in USD.
• ✓ Verify franchise for your return country + mode (air/land).
• ✓ If exceeding, decide: declare (and pay 50%) or reduce purchase.
• ✓ Carry Paraguayan legal invoices with your name.
• ✓ Brazilians: complete e-DBV at gov.br if exceeding.
• ✓ Keep original packaging of premium products.
• ✓ Don't mix many units of same SKU (trader flag).
• ✓ Sensitive products (drones, pets, plants, seeds): prior procedure at relevant agency.
• ✓ If carrying >USD 10,000 cash: always declare.

Before making the shopping list, read which categories pay off the most and review the Asunción and Ciudad del Este guides.