What receiving from abroad actually involves
Every international payment to Brazil crosses three layers of cost before the money reaches you: a transfer fee charged for moving funds across borders, a foreign-exchange spread applied when converting dollars into reais, and IOF — Brazil's tax on currency exchange. The rates vary significantly by provider, structure and payment method. Most people focus only on the exchange rate, which is just one of the three. Getting all three right is what determines how much you actually keep.
PF or PJ: the structure changes your costs and taxes
How you receive internationally depends first on whether you are doing it as an individual (PF) or through a company (PJ). As a PF, income from abroad is declared via Carnê-Leão and taxed at the full progressive income-tax rate — up to 27.5%. As a PJ, you issue a service-export invoice, often benefiting from lower effective rates under Simples Nacional or Lucro Presumido, and in some cases from IOF structures that work in your favour. The right structure depends on your income level, how regularly you receive from abroad, and your accounting setup. See our full comparison: PF or PJ — how to receive money from abroad.
What it typically costs
A traditional bank Wire over SWIFT routinely costs 4–8% all-in across FX spread, transfer fees and IOF. Modern fintechs bring that down to 1.5–4%. With the right setup — a dollar account, competitive FX and minimal IOF — the effective cost can be under 1%. The gap compounds fast: on $4,000 a month, the difference between a 6% bank and a well-structured account is over $2,400 a year. For a breakdown of the main options see our guide to the best account to receive USD in Brazil, and for a real worked example our developer case study at $5,000/month.
Common situations — where to start
- Contractors and/or Freelancers and platform workers receiving from Upwork, Toptal, Deel or direct clients — see best platforms for contractors and/or freelancers to earn in USD.
- Remote employees paid in dollars by a foreign employer — see working remotely for foreign companies.
- PJ owners invoicing foreign clients — see how to receive USD as a PJ and taxes on service exports in Brazil.
- Individuals receiving a salary in dollars — see how to receive a USD salary in Brazil with lower fees.
How PJs get paid from abroad today
There are several ways to receive international payments as a PJ. All of them work — but they differ in cost, speed, and control. The right option depends less on the amount you receive — and more on how often you get paid and how much control you want when it comes to timing.
- International bank transfers via SWIFT
Widely accepted and familiar, but often slow, expensive, and unpredictable — best suited to large payments.
Typical fee: $20USD+ and 4-8% in fees and spread on FX
Timeline: 1–4 business days - Payment platforms and digital wallets
Easier to set up and faster than traditional banks, but often include platform fees and forced conversion.
Typical fee: 1–3%
Timeline: 1 business day - Contractor and payroll solutions
Designed for recurring international income and used by companies with centralized HR teams.
Typical fee: Varies by platform
Timeline: 1–4 business days
How PJs get paid with Ruvo
With Ruvo, PJs get a US bank account to receive funds via ACH — a free US payment system — from companies and clients. Move money between Brazil and the world in seconds: send, receive, and convert at real-time rates with 0% IOF.
- Receive in USD via ACH, Wire or RTP
Receive USD via ACH or Wire — Ruvo converts it to digital dollars
Fee: Free
Timeline: 1-3 business days - Transparent & Low-Cost Conversion
Convert your digital dollars when rates are best, with no hidden FX markup or fees
FX: Market rate - Send Instantly with No IOF
Send digital dollars to any Pix in Brazil, instantly
Fee: 0.3%, no IOF
Timeline: Instant
Professionals ask whether it's better to receive money from abroad as a PJ or PF
The answer usually depends on scale and structure. We've done the analysis to help you figure out what's best for you.
PF vs PJ: receiving money from abroad
| Criteria | Personal Account (PF) | Business Account (PJ) |
|---|---|---|
| IOF on incoming payments | IOF charged when using traditional banking rails. With Ruvo, no IOF due to stablecoin settlement. | Exempt under Brazilian regulation for export of services. |
| Tax benefits (PIS / COFINS) | Not available for individuals. | Potential exemptions when income is registered as service exports and invoiced correctly. |
| Accounting & documentation | Individuals must manually organize records for tax reporting. | Business accounts support invoices, reports, and accounting records for compliance. |
| Operational control & Scaling | Simpler setup, but limited flexibility as income grows. | Greater control over cash flow, reporting, and long-term scaling. Simplified compliance. |
| Transfers to personal use | Direct usage, but fewer tools for managing timing and conversion. | Funds can be distributed to partners or transferred to personal accounts with proper support. |
Send, receive & spend as a PJ with transparent fees and no IOF
Deposit and receive in BRL, get paid from abroad, or send to any external wallet — all from your digital dollar balance. Ruvo offers the best FX rate — the same one you find on Google, with no hidden markups. Just a small, flat fee per conversion, so you always know where your money goes.
Receive USD
- USD → USDC → BRL
0,3% Total
Free to receive USD and convert to USDC
0,3% offramp fee to convert USDC to BRL
Convert when rates are best - USD → USDC
Free
Receive USD via ACH and convert to USDC for free
Send USDC to any Ruvo account for free
Convert when rates are best - Ruvo → BRL
No fee
Convert payroll to USDC to maximize flexibility
Send to any Ruvo account for free
No forced conversion, convert at any time
Send BRL
- BRL → USDC → USD
1,0% Total
0,5% onramp fee to convert BRL to USDC
0,5% offramp fee to convert USDC to USD
Convert when rates are best - BRL → USDC → USD
1.0% Total
0.5% inbound fee to convert BRL into digital dollars
0.5% outbound fee to convert digital dollars into USD
Convert to fiat whenever the rates are better - BRL → USDC
0,5%
0,5% onramp fee to convert BRL to USDC
Send USDC to any Ruvo account for free
Convert to fiat when rates are best
Receive & send digital dollars
- USDC → USD
0,5%
Convert digital dollars to USD to spend in the US
Convert when rates are best
Option for Same Day ACH - USDC → BRL
0,3%
Convert digital dollars to BRL to spend in Brazil
Transfers instantly via Pix
Convert when rates are best - USDC → USDC
0.4%
0.4% to send to an external wallet
Free between Ruvo accounts
Easily move funds into crypto markets
Spend the way you earn
Earn and spend in dollars with the Ruvo card — no fees on purchases or deposits.
Working internationally opens new opportunities
Working with international clients often means higher pay, better opportunities, and more flexibility.
- Better compensation for your skills
Global rates typically exceed what local markets offer for the same work. - More stable, recurring income
International contracts often run longer and more predictably than local projects. - Freedom to work on your terms
You choose clients, projects, and schedules without geographic limits.
- Professionals paid from abroad
Developers, designers and freelancers paid by companies abroad.
Receive into a US account in your name
Convert to reais via Pix in minutes
Spend on the card with no IOF - People receiving from family
Students abroad or anyone with relatives in another country.
Receiving is free
Money in your account in minutes
Hold dollars earning - Businesses with clients abroad
Agencies, importers and exporters invoicing in dollars.
Receive in your company's name
Reconcile instantly and export reports
Convert from 0.3%
Updated on October 7, 2026
This content is for information only and is not financial or tax advice. How we write
