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While rising foreign investment in recent years has prompted strong growth in money transfer to Brazil, sending money from Brazil to the USA – or indeed anywhere – can be extremely difficult and expensive. Whether you are importing, investing in the US, repatriating profits from foreign direct investment (FDI), or funding overseas study, it can be very slow and bureaucratic to transfer money from Brazil, even with the right documentation, and despite there officially being no restrictions on making foreign exchange transfers.
International money transfer from Brazil
Foreign-exchange purchases of up to US$10,000 per transaction can be done without the need to notify the central bank, Banco Central do Brasil (Bacen), or provide identification. Although individuals and companies can buy and sell reais and transfer reais abroad, the legality and economic reasons for the transfer of larger amounts must be justified, and the transfer reported to the bank.
Repatriating income and profit
There are no restrictions on remittances of profit, and dividends distributed to non-residents, and profits remitted abroad do not incur corporate income tax. The paperwork involved, however, can be significant, with proof needed of the investment’s registration and proof of the transaction that generated the profit. Loans from a non-Brazilian to a domestic company are strictly monitored by the central bank to ensure that outward debt service payments are not used to conceal larger external transfers. The central bank will not permit lending rates it regards as too high, while all foreign loans (including supplier credits for more than 180 days) must be registered in order to permit repayment remittances. Given that there is no double taxation treaty with the US, companies sending interest or profits from Brazil to the US will be subject to 15% tax.
Property
With the number of expats moving to Brazil rising, and the country having enjoyed impressive GDP and income per head growth, the number of foreigners buying property has grown, whether for personal occupancy, vacation, or investment. There are no restrictions on foreigners buying property, all property sales are titled, and foreign investors enjoy the same investment and possession rights as Brazilians. If taking income from the property, foreigners are subject to the same tax as residents, but non-residents from the US will be hit with a 15% capital gains tax if the property is sold. That said, (and assuming all paperwork is in order) investment capital brought into Brazil can be transferred out of the country.
Investing in the US from Brazil
The US is one of the most important destinations of outward investment from Brazil. Brazilian assets abroad have doubled between 2007 and 2013 to US$391.6bn in 2013 according to the Bacen with around 20% invested in the US. The US is the fifth largest destination of FDI, host to US$14.1bn in 2013 or foreign equity investment and the beneficiary of US$1.6bn in intercompany loans, to US parents. Some US$10.8bn of Brazilian overseas portfolio assets are US securities, 42.3% of total foreign portfolio assets, while the US$19.4bn in offshore foreign currency deposits, and US$1.7bn in real estate assets, account for 54% and 31% of their respective totals.
In terms of FDI, the US may be behind countries such as the Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Bahamas where investment is heavily concentrated in financial services, but Brazilian assets in the US are much more diverse. Financial services is still the largest target sector for Brazilian investment, assets range from professional and support services, to agriculture, manufacturing, agriculture, and hospitality. Brazilian individuals and companies with assets or investments abroad valued at more than US$100,000 at year-end must declare them to the central bank by May of the following year; regarding assets abroad valued at more than US$100m, quarterly statements are required.
Studying in the US
Brazil is one of the largest sources of foreign students to US institutions according to a 2014 study by the Brookings Institution, coming in at 15th out of 74 countries surveyed. Over 2008-12, 12,667 people from Brazil have studied at US universities, focusing on business, management, and marketing. The report estimates that in total they have spent US$289.7m in tuition and US$155m in living costs. Sao Paulo is the seventh most business-focused contributor city, with 40.1% of students from the city studying business, management, or marketing. Remitting money abroad for educational (and health) expenses can be done without Bacen approval, but must be recorded, and is limited to R20,000 a month until end 2015.
Applying for a student visa in the US is uncomplicated. Once an accredited institution makes an offer of a place, it becomes the sponsoring institution and issues an I-20 form. This is needed to apply for a foreign student visa through the US Embassy or consulate in their home country, with a visa issued once the US authorities have determined that the prospective student they do not pose a health or security risk. Upon her arrival into the US, immigration inspectors verify the paperwork. At this point, the student can consider when they may transfer money from Brazil to pay tuition and other bills. The sponsoring school is then responsible for confirming that the foreign student is attending classes and must update the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with any changes in enrolment status, course, or any disciplinary actions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are the money transfer companies shown above safe to use?
Yes, all the companies are safe and fully-regulated money transfer services.
Each are authorised and regulated by the relevant authority such as the Financial
Conduct Authority(FCA) in the UK, FinCEN in the US, FinTRAC in Canada or ASIC in Australia.
How long does an international money transfer take?
The speed of delivery will depend on where the money is being from and to and how
you are sending and receiving the money. Transfers sent using bank to bank transfers
can depend take anywhere from minutes to days and you should check the time estimates
from the relevant provider. Debit and credit card payments sometimes allow for faster
transfers for smaller amounts.
How do I use FXcompared?
First review the comparison results (such as for a table above) for a given amount
of money sending from Brazil to USA. Then select a provider based on
factors such as price, speed, their rating and click the green button to be taken to
their website. From there, you can register and sign up for an account. Once you have
done that and the provider has verified your identity to ensure the money can be send
safely, you will be ready to transfer money.
What payments methods can I use to send money overseas?
The results shown above are typically for bank to bank transfers. It is possible
via some providers to pay in your funds for the transfer via cash, debit or credit
cards as well but this is usually reserved for smaller amounts. Some providers also
give you different options for how the money will be received - to a bank account
(most common), to a debit card, to cash or to a digital or mobile wallet.
What if the price shown above isn’t exactly what I am offered when I try to transfer money?
There can be a number of reasons why the final price you are offered may be different
to that shown in the table above. Exchange rates between two currencies change all
the time and is the most common reason. Additionally, some providers offer different
pricing depending what method you are using to send funds or how the funds will be
received. Others may offer you a premium service for faster payments. In some cases
FXcompared has a special rate with a provider and this is reserved for first time
customers who sign up to the provider starting from FXcompared’s website.
As prices do change often, be sure to confirm the total cost with the provider
before transferring money.
All the providers listed are regulated by the relevant authority (e.g. the FCA in the UK, FinCEN
in the US, ASIC in Australia) and have been vetted by FXcompared.
FXcompared.com is an fx money comparison site for international money transfer and to compare rates from currency
brokers for sending money abroad. The website and the information provided is for informational purposes
only and does not constitute an offer, solicitation or advice on any financial service or transaction.
None of the information presented is intended to form the basis for any investment decision, and no
specific recommendations are intended. FXC Group Ltd and FX Compared Ltd does not provide any guarantees
of any data from third parties listed on this website. FX compared Ltd expressly disclaims any and all
responsibility for any direct or consequential loss or damage of any kind whatsoever arising directly
or indirectly from (i) any error, omission or inaccuracy in any such information or (ii) any action
resulting therefrom.
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