Entering Brazil with a music instrument of value

Rule number one when doing anything in Brazil, especially when entering the country, never, never ever, offer any information they do not specifically ask for. Always remember, this instrument is for you, it's old, of little value, you have owned it for decades, and you could never dream of selling it, to anyone, it is yours, and only yours.

The airports are mostly worried about what you are bringing in to sell, especially high-end items not made in Brazil and all electronics.

@leashy_kate, what instrument  is it first of all.?? I can tell you worki g for feds that I've  known n seen instruments confiscated and destroyed  if it's wood. In particular  I've  seen stories ofnt2 for sure thst are true. A guy had wooden flutes n they were hand made and destroyed worth 10's of thousands of dollars. As well a violin worth 250k. Nownwhat i can also tell you from shipping.my MIL body back here to be buried is that Brazil has very very strict laws with anything wood. So you best worry about this before any tax implications if your instrument  is made of wood. I hope this helps but if you're  bringing a saxophone  or trumpet then throw everything  i just saidnout your car window.

    Rule number one when doing anything in Brazil, especially when entering the country, never, never ever, offer any information they do not specifically ask for. Always remember, this instrument is for you, it's old, of little value, you have owned it for decades, and you could never dream of selling it, to anyone, it is yours, and only yours.
The airports are mostly worried about what you are bringing in to sell, especially high-end items not made in Brazil and all electronics.
   

    -@rraypo

Thanks - It's information I'd prefer to declare if necessary than risk running into issues and trying to convince them with a personal story. It's too valuable to me, in monetary terms and sentimental value, for me to risk just saying it's a personal item.

Touring international musicians must run into this situation regularly, but I was hoping a non-professional musician might have had an experience and some helpful insight.

    @leashy_kate, what instrument  is it first of all.?? I can tell you worki g for feds that I've  known n seen instruments confiscated and destroyed  if it's wood. In particular  I've  seen stories ofnt2 for sure thst are true. A guy had wooden flutes n they were hand made and destroyed worth 10's of thousands of dollars. As well a violin worth 250k. Nownwhat i can also tell you from shipping.my MIL body back here to be buried is that Brazil has very very strict laws with anything wood. So you best worry about this before any tax implications if your instrument  is made of wood. I hope this helps but if you're  bringing a saxophone  or trumpet then throw everything  i just saidnout your car window.
   

    -@Cserebogar

This is what makes me nervous about travelling with it. It's a flute actually, not wooden, and mostly silver or silver plated. I know musicians have trouble even domestically with instruments, so I'd like to avoid any risks and go by the book with whats required in terms of declaring it etc.

As I mentioned in my previous reply, there must have been musicians who have encountered this so hoping there's someone with a personal experience, or experience declaring another item.

    @leashy_kate, what instrument  is it first of all.?? I can tell you worki g for feds that I've  known n seen instruments confiscated and destroyed  if it's wood. In particular  I've  seen stories ofnt2 for sure thst are true. A guy had wooden flutes n they were hand made and destroyed worth 10's of thousands of dollars. As well a violin worth 250k. Nownwhat i can also tell you from shipping.my MIL body back here to be buried is that Brazil has very very strict laws with anything wood. So you best worry about this before any tax implications if your instrument  is made of wood. I hope this helps but if you're  bringing a saxophone  or trumpet then throw everything  i just saidnout your car window.
   

    -@Cserebogar

Just where did you see all of this musical instrument destruction happen? I've been in and out of GRU and  GIG at least a hundred times and have never seen anything like that

        @leashy_kate, what instrument  is it first of all.?? I can tell you worki g for feds that I've  known n seen instruments confiscated and destroyed  if it's wood. In particular  I've  seen stories ofnt2 for sure thst are true. A guy had wooden flutes n they were hand made and destroyed worth 10's of thousands of dollars. As well a violin worth 250k. Nownwhat i can also tell you from shipping.my MIL body back here to be buried is that Brazil has very very strict laws with anything wood. So you best worry about this before any tax implications if your instrument  is made of wood. I hope this helps but if you're  bringing a saxophone  or trumpet then throw everything  i just saidnout your car window.        -@Cserebogar

Just where did you see all of this musical instrument destruction happen? I've been in and out of GRU and  GIG at least a hundred times and have never seen anything like that
   

    -@rraypo

Those stories might sound crazy but I don’t doubt them in the slightest. Musicians often have trouble travelling internationally and issues with wooden instruments are common all over the world, not just Brazil.

oThose stories might sound crazy but I don’t doubt them in the slightest. Musicians often have trouble travelling internationally and issues with wooden instruments are common all over the world, not just Brazil.         -@leashy_kate

Where? My first international trip was in 1961. I was a violist, my brother a concert violinist.  I have traveled a LOT I do mean a lot, to almost thirty countries and to most of those, many, many times, and yet, I have never seen or heard of anything like this. I have been strip-searched, cavity-searched, I have been in Shanhia like most thirty times, Russia, Ukraine a dozen times, Crimea multiple times, Belarus... I have had guns, AK-47s. in my face, four times, but I have never, ever heard of this. anywhere.

I’m glad you’ve had trips where you didn’t lose your instrument, that’s great. Commenting whether or not these things have happened wasn’t my intention. My experience working with musicians had led me to have concerns about my own travel which is why I’m seeking advice from anyone who has travelled into Brazil with their instrument.

Hopefully someone here might have had a recent experience themselves. 🤞

@leashy_kate

You say that you have been in and out of Brazil for work purposes, yet you have a Digital Nomad visa? If I were an immigration officer that would be a red flag for me to start with.... if that is what you are telling them.

As far as the musical instrument is concerned I am with rraypo 100% - say that it is for your personal use, of little value, and that is all. But if it is so important, and you want to make a big issue out of it, then do not bring it or declare you need it for work and apply for a different visa.

Any visa is a privilege, not a right, so why volunteer a potential reason to be refused entry?

I traveled to Brazil with my acoustic guitar on a tourist visa a few years back. It was a Taylor, at that time had a retail value of about $1,500. I put the guitar case inside a corrugated box and checked it with my bags. When l went through the X-ray security in Rio, the gentleman asked me about it. I told him it was my property and it was going back home with me when my vacation ended. He never even asked me about the value. The only time l heard of wooden instruments being confiscated were those made of Brazilian Rosewood. Yes, for sure that  happened.

@KenAquarius

I do recall that many, many years ago branches of the tree Pau Brasil (after which the country is actually named, not the nut) were being smuggled out of Brazil, beacuse it was the best wood for making violin bows. Apparently (and I am no expert) it is the bow that makes the violin, not the other way round, and this wood was considered the best for the job. The tree is very slow growing, and thus the wood is very expensive. Maybe this is why wooden items are closely examined...?

    @KenAquarius
I do recall that many, many years ago branches of the tree Pau Brasil (after which the country is actually named, not the nut) were being smuggled out of Brazil, beacuse it was the best wood for making violin bows. Apparently (and I am no expert) it is the bow that makes the violin, not the other way round, and this wood was considered the best for the job. The tree is very slow growing, and thus the wood is very expensive. Maybe this is why wooden items are closely examined...?
   

    -@Peter Itamaraca

This definitely sounds feasible. Wood and ivory are always problematic in these situations. Interesting story about Pau Brasil! I knew the connection to the country name but learnt something new about it being popular for violin bows!

    @leashy_kateYou say that you have been in and out of Brazil for work purposes, yet you have a Digital Nomad visa? If I were an immigration officer that would be a red flag for me to start with.... if that is what you are telling them.As far as the musical instrument is concerned I am with rraypo 100% - say that it is for your personal use, of little value, and that is all. But if it is so important, and you want to make a big issue out of it, then do not bring it or declare you need it for work and apply for a different visa. Any visa is a privilege, not a right, so why volunteer a potential reason to be refused entry?        -@Peter Itamaraca

Perhaps I didn’t explain my situation very well. I’ve left to return back to my home country to do some work on the ground. Digital Nomad visa allows multiple entries. I don’t work with my instrument, it’s a hobby these days.

My visa and work situation isn’t a problem. I’m just seeing if I should be doing anything to avoid running into problems with import tax.

Relying on just saying it’s for personal use feels risky given the value.

   
09/16/23 Perhaps I didn’t explain my situation very well. I’ve left to return back to my home country to do some work on the ground. Digital Nomad visa allows multiple entries. I don’t work with my instrument, it’s a hobby these days.
My visa and work situation isn’t a problem. I’m just seeing if I should be doing anything to avoid running into problems with import tax.
Relying on just saying it’s for personal use feels risky given the value.
   

    -@leashy_kate

I haven't heard, much less seen, horror stories about the destruction of valuable musical instruments of incoming visitors by Brazilian Customs.  My sense is that, if your instrument is in an appropriate case and of a size that it can be part of your hand-carry luggage, you'll be waved right through as most foreigners are. 

But I've learned to "never say never" in Brazil, so I'd recommend emailing the Brazilian Consulate responsible for your area and just asking, "I'll be returning to Brazil in a few weeks and I'd like to bring my heirloom flugglehorn with me.  Will there be any issues at Customs?"  I'd especially recommend this if we're talking about something large enough to attract special attention, like a cello.  Best of luck!

@abthree

Thank you! Makes sense! My consulate has been super helpful to date so seems like a good starting point. Thank you!