IOF on international card purchases in 2026: how much you pay

Updated on October 22, 2026

Every dollar purchase on a Brazilian card goes through two steps: your bank's exchange rate and IOF, Brazil's tax on financial operations. Here is the rate in the official text, how the final amount is built and what changes when the card already holds dollars.

Issue virtual card

IOF on international card purchases in 2026: how much you pay

What is the IOF rate on international card purchases in Brazil in 2026?

According to the consolidated text of Decree No. 6,306/2007 on Brazil's Planalto website, checked on October 22, 2026, IOF on purchases of goods and services abroad made by card is 3.5% (art. 15-B, item VII, as worded by Decree No. 12,499/2025).

IOF is Brazil's tax on financial operations, and it also applies to foreign exchange. According to Brazil's Federal Revenue Service (Receita Federal), the tax on exchange operations is collected by the institution authorized to operate in foreign exchange, that is, the bank or card issuer, not by the foreign store.

The rate is set by decree and has changed several times in recent years. Before a large purchase, check the current text in the official sources at the end of this page.

How is IOF charged on a dollar purchase with a Brazilian bank card?

On a dollar purchase with a Brazilian card, the bank converts the amount to reais at its own exchange rate and adds IOF on the converted amount.

So the final cost depends on two things: the IOF rate, which is the same for everyone, and the exchange rate your bank applies, which differs from bank to bank. Which quote is used and on what date the conversion happens follow your bank's rules; check its app or your statement.

How much IOF do you pay on an international purchase? Example

The amount in reais is the dollar price times your bank's exchange rate, and IOF is 3.5% of that amount in reais. Instead of made-up numbers, plug in your own:

Take the purchase price in dollars: US$ X.
Find the exchange rate your bank applies: R$ C per dollar.
Work out the converted amount: X × C in reais.
Work out IOF: 3.5% of X × C.
Add the two together, plus any fees your bank charges; that is the amount on your statement.

How does a card with a dollar balance change the math?

With a virtual card that holds a US-dollar balance, a charge in dollars is paid straight from the balance, with no conversion to reais at the moment of purchase.

The conversion moves to the top-up. If you top up with a Brazilian bank card, your bank may add IOF and its own exchange rate to the top-up. If you top up with USDT, the amount is credited straight to the dollar balance.

In practice, you know the cost in reais when you top up and then spend in dollars. This guide does not claim that any top-up method is exempt from IOF: the tax treatment of each operation follows Brazilian law and your bank's rules.

This content is for information only and is not tax advice. For your own case, check the official sources or ask an accountant.

How do I pay for an international purchase with the Guarapay dollar card?

Open the Guarapay app or the Telegram mini app @guarapay_bot and create an account.
Choose Standard or Premium and issue the virtual Visa card; it is ready in about two minutes.
Top up the balance in the app with a Visa or Mastercard bank card in your own name or with USDT, for the purchase amount plus US$ 0.25; there is no minimum.
At the store checkout, check that the charge is in dollars and enter the card details, name and billing address as they appear in the app.
Confirm the purchase; if the store asks, approve 3-D Secure in the app. The purchase notification shows up in the app right away.

How much does the Guarapay dollar card cost?

The issue fee is paid once: US$ 10 on Standard or US$ 100 on Premium. There is no monthly fee, so an idle card costs nothing.

The top-up fee of 2% on Standard or 1% on Premium with USDT (5% with a bank card) is taken at top-up, and each approved purchase costs US$ 0.25, taken from the balance with the purchase. A declined payment does not take money from your balance.

Monthly spending limit: US$ 10,000 on Standard and US$ 100,000 on Premium.
Your own monthly cap and per-purchase cap, set in the app.
Freeze and unfreeze the card in one tap.

What should I check before paying in a foreign currency?

The checkout currency: if the store charges in a currency other than dollars, Visa converts the amount to dollars on the purchase date.
The balance: it has to cover the purchase plus US$ 0.25.
The caps you set in the app, monthly and per purchase, and that the card is not frozen.
Your bank statement after a top-up with a bank card, which shows the exchange rate used and IOF, if charged.
The date you checked: the IOF rate changes by decree, so check the official text before large purchases.

Sources

FAQ

What is the IOF rate on international card purchases in 2026?

Under Decree No. 6,306/2007 (art. 15-B, VII, as worded by Decree No. 12,499/2025), checked on the Planalto website on October 22, 2026, the rate is 3.5%.

Is IOF charged on the dollar amount or the amount in reais?

The bank converts the purchase to reais at its own exchange rate, and IOF is calculated on that converted amount.

Is a dollar purchase from a dollar balance converted again?

No, a charge in dollars is paid straight from the card's dollar balance; the conversion happens earlier, at top-up.

Is there IOF when I top up the Guarapay card with a bank card?

When you top up with a Brazilian bank card, your bank may add IOF and its own exchange rate; check your bank statement.

Is topping up with USDT exempt from IOF?

This guide does not claim an IOF exemption for any top-up method; with USDT the amount is credited straight to the dollar balance, and tax treatment follows Brazilian law.

Is this guide tax advice?

No, it is for information only; for your own case, check Brazil's Federal Revenue Service, the decree text or an accountant.