Updated September 2026
Border Crossing
Argentina – Brazil
A practical guide for passengers and agencies at the Tancredo Neves International Bridge.
Before you read on: how to use this page
This is a practical guidance page written from our experience crossing the bridge every day. We are not an immigration or customs authority and the rules can change without notice.
All procedures are personal and in person, and checking the current requirements is the traveller's responsibility. If in doubt, the official bodies we link at the end are the source of truth.
It is written for Argentines and residents as well as for foreign visitors: look for your case in the first section, because the requirements are not the same for everyone.
Which document you need,
depending on who you are
If you are Argentine or a resident
Valid options are the physical ID card (last copy issued by RENAPER), the blue "libreta celeste" booklet of the last copy, and a valid passport.
Not accepted: handwritten IDs (green or burgundy cover), the receipt showing an ID is being processed, and damaged documents.
The ID in the "Mi Argentina" app does not replace the physical document for an international crossing.
Last-copy rule: if you have been issued a new ID, the previous one is automatically cancelled. Carry the most recent one.
Basis: ReNaPer Resolution No. 480/16.
If you are a foreign visitor
You need a valid passport. Citizens of MERCOSUR and associated countries can usually enter with their national ID document, but it is worth confirming with the Brazilian Federal Police before travelling.
Do you need a visa? It depends entirely on your nationality. Argentina and MERCOSUR countries do not need one for tourism. Check the official list before booking:
Check if you need a visa for Brazil (Itamaraty)
If you do need a visa, it is processed at a Brazilian consulate before you travel: it cannot be arranged at the bridge.
Foreigners: health insurance
If you are entering Argentina and you are not Argentine or a permanent resident, Decree 366/2025 (in force since 29 May 2025) applies to you: it introduces a sworn declaration of the purpose of travel and health coverage — not yet being requested — and it is already in force that public hospitals will only treat you with health insurance or advance payment, except in an emergency.
That is why we recommend travel insurance covering medical emergencies. It does not apply to Argentines or permanent residents.
Crossing the bridge
with us
Migration QR (optional)
It is optional and free: it speeds up the counter, but if you skip it the normal migration control is used.
The Pré-Cadastro Migratório of the Brazilian Federal Police is completed at mobile.pf.gov.br/sti-mobile.
Two things almost nobody knows: you need one form per leg (in and out), and it is only valid for the day you declare or the following day. Do not generate it in advance.
You can show it on your phone screen, though we recommend printing it. The data you enter is the traveller's exclusive responsibility.
Travelling with minors under 18
With both parents: the relationship must be proven with the Civil Family Booklet, a birth certificate (any issue date) or the minor's ID showing the parents' filiation details.
With only one parent or with third parties: the absent parent's authorisation is required. It can be granted by a notary, a competent judge, the Civil Registry, a justice of the peace or a consulate.
All documents must be presented as originals or duly legalised copies.
If it is urgent and you do not have the authorisation: Migraciones offers a service that issues it at its offices and at international border crossings. It is valid for a single trip and must be used within 30 days. In all cases the procedure is personal and in person.
Exclusive tourist lane
Our TaxiGuazú vehicles use Lane 4 (Tourist Transport) on the Tancredo Neves bridge, with priority over private cars.
You do not drive and you do not queue: we stop at both counters, we go through the procedure with you and then continue the trip.
Argentine customs:
what you can bring in
ARCA allowances (formerly AFIP)
This is not a requirement to enter Brazil: it is what you may bring into Argentina on the way back. By land: USD 300 per person over 16, and USD 150 for under 16 (50%).
In Puerto Iguazú the arrival duty-free shop allowance is USD 500, an exception that does not exist at other land crossings.
It is monthly and non-cumulative, and a family group may pool it. If you exceed it, you pay the single tax of 50% on the excess.
Source: ARCA — Allowances.
Cash and forms
You may enter and leave with up to USD 10,000 if you are over 16, and up to USD 5,000 if you are under 16. The limit is per person; above it you must declare it at customs.
On departure, luggage is declared with form OM-121/A. On arrival, the customs declaration OM-2087/G4 is used to report food, animals and goods bought abroad.
Keep the forms you presented on departure and the invoices for your purchases: they are what lets you prove the declared value.
What you cannot bring in
It is forbidden to bring in goods for commercial or industrial purposes, large household appliances, firearms (unless authorised by ANMaC), explosives, flammables, narcotics and goods banned on health or safety grounds.
Goods outside the luggage regime are handled under AFIP General Resolution 3172/2011.
SENASA: food,
plants and pets
What is allowed
Canned fish, pork and poultry; dairy made from pasteurised milk (pasteurised fluid milk, condensed and powdered milk, yoghurt, butter, dulce de leche, cheese); processed fruit and vegetables (crisps, fruit in syrup, pickled vegetables, preserves, roasted or salted nuts, canned or vacuum-packed); jams, candied fruit, juices, sugar and oil.
Also serrano and Iberian ham and boneless Iberian loin from Spain, under Resolution 655/2017.
Everything must be labelled and in quantities for personal consumption.
What is not allowed
Food: homemade products, meat of any species, cured meats, sausages, hams, honey, dairy and derivatives, and unlabelled food.
Plants: fresh fruit and vegetables, garden flowers and plants, fruit, ornamental and forest trees, seeds, roots and buds.
Others: live animals, animal feed, bee products, veterinary products, insects, bacteria, fungi and reproductive material.
This is what gets confiscated most at the bridge: if you bought something fresh, do not bring it.
Travelling with pets
You must arrange the International Veterinary Certificate (CVI) in advance for a dog or cat. The main requirements:
Health certificate original, issued by a private vet within the 10 days before the CVI.
Current rabies vaccination: for first-time vaccinated animals, 21 days must pass after the dose. Not required for animals under 3 months.
Internal and external deworming within the 15 days before the CVI.
Vaccination certificates are also required (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, coronavirus, leptospirosis, parainfluenza and bordetella), a certificate of the last three months of medical treatment, an address in the destination country and a copy of the ID of the person transporting the animal.
You have 60 days to bring the animal back into Argentina, with the vaccination still valid.
Official sources
Here you will not find a copy of the regulations: you will find a link to whoever enforces them. If anything on this page disagrees with the official body, the official body prevails.
All procedures are personal and checking the current requirements is the traveller's responsibility.
Message us
right now
We advise you on the documents, the migration QR and we arrange your transfer to Brazil.