We have a Brazilian Au Pair, who told me that she was waiting until she came up ...

gregschlom · on Oct 14, 2022

Yes, Brazil has very high import duties on all electronics. Maybe they were hoping to promote local production, like what happened with the auto industry in the 50s and 60s there where major car manufacturers opened production plants in Brazil.

It did work out to some extent in the 80s, with TV manufacturers moving to the Free Trade Zone of Manaus but didn't translate with the high tech stuff afterwards

charlie0 · on Oct 14, 2022

This is true in various countries. Relatives have asked me to buy electronics in the US when traveling to see them because of high import taxes.

throwaway2203 · on Oct 14, 2022

Pakistan gets around this by charging you a ridiculous (I think 40%) amount of the MRSP in tax when you first connect your phone to mobile networks.

I used to buy my parents phones from the US but they have to get chinese phones with low MRSP now to not get gouged out.

Symbiote · on Oct 14, 2022

Note bringing in goods like this, without declaring them at customs and paying due taxes, is often illegal.

The rules differ between countries, and so does the chance of being caught.

crazygringo · on Oct 14, 2022

Brazil is by far the highest, there's no comparison. Electronics in Brazil cost roughly double. Other places are 20 or 40% more, not 100% more.

et-al · on Oct 14, 2022

I'd wager to say that worldwide, America is still the cheapest place to buy a new iPhone.