My Debit card is stuck in Customs

06/06/26 Has anyone experience with having a debit card or credit card replacement sent from the USA. Right now my replacement debit card they are saying. Your package has been delayed due to a Government Agency hold. It showed it passed thru the scan the government released it once. But now when it seems to be ready to be sent they again put it on hold. It has my CPF number on the envelope. So any suggestions why this is happening thanks - @NewBrazil

Almost everything depends on how the card issuer classifies the shipment for Customs.  If they classify it as "Documents" with zero or nominal value, it should come through duty-free.  If, however, they classify it as Merchandise and assign a value, Customs will be looking for a payment to release it.  Be sure to pass this information on to all your card issuers.,

If you have a "Minhas Importações" account on the Correios website, go there and find your shipment; since it has your CPF already, it should be readily visible.  You can see there what if any duties are payable, and appeal them right from your account.   

Minhas Importações is a free service, so if you don't have an account yet, you definitely should set one up.

I've had two American credit cards stolen in Brasil. The first was replaced FedEx two day and was received promptly. The second time, Visa sent it by snail mail. It was stolen before it got to me. The thief(ves) bought 4 French bulldogs with it at R$10.000 each. Visa ate the charges and sent another card by FedEx which also was promptly received. Frankly, I couldn't believe they would use Correos for the task.

@ibdegen did you have to pay any duty on your cards. Last time I got my by FedEx it cost me $175 dollars for my debit card.

Not sure this helps at all, but I always have my new cards (both US and UK) sent to someone there, who will be visiting soon, and they bring them over... Never had a problem.

@NewBrazil no fee or duty was charged to me.

06/07/26 Not sure this helps at all, but I always have my new cards (both US and UK) sent to someone there, who will be visiting soon, and they bring them over... Never had a problem. - @Peter Itamaraca

I effectively do the same.  I use a mail forwarder in Texas; that address is the billing address for all my accounts, so the replacement cards all go there automatically.  The mail forwarder notifies me when mail arrives, and every few weeks I have them consolidate everything on hand and ship it all as no-value documents.  No problems so far in nine years.

@Peter Itamaraca, @NewBrazil

Here's an additional trick to add to Peter's.... have the trusted recipient friend send you images (obviously using end-to-end encryption like with Whatsapp - you might not even need images) and add the card to your wallet (I use Google) and you'll have immediate access to card use until your trusted recipient delivers the card.

mberigan