What is the easiest way to get money to Brazil?

A wire, just carry it in.

I have wired small amounts (under $1500), a couple of times, but it is a pain in the ass, and costs $45. If you use other services, they can be even more.

Like if you wanted to purchase a condo in Copa Cabana, how would you get the money inside the country.

Thanks.

CP

What kind of thread is this?
I hope know one is thinking of sending money to the girls there?
If so, SUCKER!!!!!!!!

DineroPerdido:

It depends how much money we are talking about and to whom it is going. For instance, if you are sending money to a girl, why not save yourself the long-term aggravation and just send it to me? I won't fuck you over, I'll just spend it on cigars and booze.

However, if we are talking small amounts (less than $5,000), the best way is probably any of the brazilian money remittance services - UNO money transfers comes to mind - www.unonet.com. They claim to be "free", actually they make their money by skimming on the exchange rate. You'll have to ask what their excahnge rate is, then call Western Union, ask what their exchange rate is and what the wire transfer fee is, and then do the math to see whcih is cheaper for the amount you are transfering.

Now, buying an apartment is a whole different story. Once again, you can save yourself the aggravation and send the $$ to me... Otherwise, this is part of what you will be negotiating with the seller. In all probability they either have an offshore bank account, or would love to have one. In all probability, you can get a better price if you buy the apartment in dollars than in reals. That being said, you either transfer the money to their bank account (and the transfer feees are minimal compared to the price of the apartment), or you carry it in with you and hand it over. Again, if you are taking $50K or so, a flight to Brazil is a marginal cost, definitely less than what you are saving by buying your apartemnt in dollars vs. reals. As always, the best way to carry large amounts of cash is on your body - either a money belt inside your pants, or a money vest under a loose-fitting shirt. I know that this is probably a case of TMI (too much information), but I've managed to carry US$2000 in 20's in my underwear... Brazilian officialdom could care less that you are carrying money into the country, US officialdom might hassle you on the way out about taxes, but my main worry is getting jacked on my way from the airport to the nearest safety deposit box. Have your route planned out, or have the seller meet you at the airport, hand him the cash, get a receipt and/or deed and then let him worry about carrying the cash. Or, you could always have ME carry the money for you.... (I keep coming back to this, don't I?)

Cheers!

BS

why would you carry 2k in your underwear? Even if its in 20's I don't understand why you would have to hide it.

Thumper:

Since you asked.... This was back in the good old days when you COULDN'T get cash out of ATM's (as a matter of fact, ATM's didn't exist in Brazil untill about 93-94). Traveller's checks always have been lousy for exchanging in Brazil, so cash it was. 20's were always the best denomination to exchange on the black market (why? bribes... most of South America runs on US$20 bribes). So lotsa 20's it was. Now which is a bigger target for hold-ups? Me with a bulge in my coat, or me with two bulges around my hips? Anyway, customs officers and muggers (just about the same thing) in Brazil rarely ask you to drop your pants. I wanted to avoid too many questions at the airport (back then there were laws about how many US$ you could have) and danger on the streets. Nowadays, things have changed a lot. DON'T carry large amounts of US cash, take an ATM card.

BS