>
> * Customs: I tend to carry a good amount of photographic equipment, laptop, &
> some electronics gizmos, should I anticipate being hassled by customs for these
> items.
I don't know about "being hassled" for the electronics... If you have
just one of each item, there should be know problem at all; but if
your carrying two brand new video cameras of the same model, there
could be questions as to whether they are for personal use or not. In
terms of the gifts, I believe you are allowed to bring in US$500 worth
of gifts AND you can buy up to an additional US$500 at the duty free
shop (which have excellent prices on booze) - at least, that's what
the salesman at the duty free shop told me on my last return to
Brasil. If you are pushing this limit, I have a friend who once was a
little over the limit and he just brought in "phoney" receipts for
some of the items. He just used his word processor and color printer
to make a receipt for the items, from what looked like a small
electronics store (i.e. "Hugh Johnson Electronics - Two locations to
serve you in Chicago and Skokie") and marked the items down about 20%.
He said the customs agent took a quick glance at all his receipts,
and waved him through.
Do NOT bribe any public servant in Brazil (unless the specifically
request it).
> * Will a US based GSM triband phone (TMobile) roam in Rio?
I'm no expert on phones, but I have two friends that have come to both
Rio and Sao Paulo within the past year, both carrying american cell
phones that supposedly work "anywhere" in the world, and they DID NOT
work here. Also, as a foreigner, you cannot buy a cell phone here,
but you may be able to rent one at the airport (?)
- Quem |