Anyone arriving in Brazil and having the country as its final destination, whether Brazilian or foreigner, has two go through four different steps (one of them entirely optional) before leaving the international arrivals area.

1. Immigration control

During the flight the crew will have handed out the immigration forms to those on board that are not Brazilian or foreigners resident in Brazil (neither of those two group need to fill the immigration forms). Fill the form during the flight so you have it ready when you reach the immigration counter. You will hand the form to the officer, along with your passport. Depending on the nature of your trip (tourism or business) and your origin (citizens of certain countries need a visa to enter Brazil) you will fill the form in one way or another.

There are two queues at the immigration control. A quick one, for Brazilian passport holders. Another one, often long and exasperatingly slow, for the rest (including foreigners residents in Brazil).

Note: if you have a connection in Brazil to another international flight with the same airline (or an airline the first one has a agreement with), you have your boarding cards for the second flight, and you have checked-in your baggage to your final destination, you are likely to stay within the international transit area of the airport. You won’t have to go through immigration. In the case of different airlines chances are you will have to go through immigration and customs.

2. Baggage reclaim

After immigration you need to go to the baggage reclaim area in search for the conveyor belt (esteira, in Portuguese) where your baggage will appear. Pay attention as often airports do not provide any information on where you baggage is likely to appear. In case of doubt, ask around.

3. Duty Free (optional)

As we explained in detail at the Brazilian Duty Free, the main international airports have Duty Free shops both for departing and arriving passengers. If you want to make any last-minute purchases, this is the time.

4. Customs

You have reclaimed your baggage and done your shopping at the Duty Free shop. It’s time to head out of the arrival areas. Before you reach the external part of the airport you will meet a customs official. You will have to hand to him the Declaração de Bagagem Acompanhada (see customs restrictions on arrival) you received while on board. If you don’t have anything to declare, chances are the customs officer will let you go untroubled. If you are unlucky, he will send you through the red queue where his colleagues will inspect your baggage.

Passed the customs control, and you’ll be on the open section of the airport.

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