To Know Before You Go

Laws & Legal Issues

Even as a visitor and a citizen of another country, when you are in Brazil you are subject to all Brazilian laws. During your travels in Brazil, you may encounter Federal Military Police, Federal Highway Police, Customs Agents, Tax Revenue Agents and other law enforcement agents, and in cities, Civil Police and Traffic Police. Always obey any order any police officer or agent gives you and always show them both courtesy and respect.

It doesn't matter that you may witness others disobeying laws or are cajoled into going along with the crowd; as a foreigner, you should always obey all laws. A good "rule of thumb" is to remember that if some thing or some action is illegal in either the United States, Canada, the UK or Australia, it's probably more than likely that it's also illegal in Brazil.

Approximately 80% of all foreigners in Brazilian prisons are there on drug related offenses. Beware! Brazilian drug laws are, at best, draconian . A drug violation that might reap you a punishment of little more than a fine, probation and a period of community service in the U.S., Canada or the U.K., could put you behind bars for years and years in Brazil. And Brazilian jails and prisons make those in Western Europe and North America look like resorts.

Should you have a penchant for any illicit drug—using, buying or trafficking (including giving it away free of charge)—be aware that Brazil is not the place to indulge these inclinations. In Brazil, illicit drugs include the usual culprits (marijuana, cocaine, heroin, crack, etc., etc.) but also any controlled substance such as prescription (controlled) drugs or medications. If you have a prescription drug in your possession without a bona fide prescription or a supply of any controlled substance which "appears" too large for a single person, you could be in a world of trouble. Brazilian law doesn't differentiate between, for example, cocaine, opium or heroin and anabolic steroids or pain killers. If it's illicit, it's illicit.

Brazil is also not the place for "sexual tourism." Brazil has severe laws against the exploitation of minors. If you're caught with an underage child—even if they're plying their "trade" on the street or elsewhere—you are going to jail.

Besides offering advice, there are only a limited number of things that the embassy or consulate of your country can do to help you if you are arrested, charged, convicted or incarcerated in Brazil.

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