In December 2024, the Central Bank announced that Pix, in just four years since its launch, had become the most widely used payment method in Brazil—surpassing even cash. According to the institution, 76.4% of the population uses Pix in their daily lives.
The spread of this technology has transformed Brazilians’ relationship with money and pushed local businesses to adapt. With this new financial habit, marked by convenience and instant payments, it’s only natural that they seek the same benefits of Pix wherever they are—including abroad.
This is where International Pix comes into play. In practice, it allows Brazilians abroad to make purchases in physical stores using Pix, bringing the convenience of the payment method to different parts of the world. And because it involves currency exchange, International Pix is subject to the IOF (Tax on Financial Operations)—the tax applied to all purchases of goods or services in foreign currency.
It’s important to note that IOF applies to several types of currency exchange operations in Brazil, including credit card transactions, the purchase of foreign cash, and international transfers for availability abroad (a model used by international accounts that provide prepaid debit cards).
With the recent changes to the IOF rate, it’s natural for both merchants and consumers to wonder how the new taxes affect International Pix.
In this article, we’ll break down how IOF applies to International Pix, putting the tax into context. We’ll also show that the same rules affect international card purchases and explain why International Pix continues to be a relevant payment option despite these changes. Finally, you’ll see why PagBrasil is the ideal partner to bring International Pix to POS devices (payment terminals).
What Is International Pix and How Does It Work?
International Pix is a technology that allows Brazilian consumers to use the Pix payment method to make in-store purchases when traveling outside of Brazil.
The process is simple and closely resembles the Pix experience Brazilians are already used to at home:
- The merchant abroad enters the purchase amount in the local currency on their POS device. A Pix QR Code is then generated for payment, already showing the final amount converted into Brazilian reais.
- The Brazilian consumer scans the QR Code with their banking app and, before confirming, sees the converted amount in reais with the exchange rate guaranteed at that moment.
- Once confirmed, the payment is approved instantly. The entire process happens in real time, ensuring both transparency and convenience.
By accepting International Pix, international merchants can attract more Brazilian customers by offering the payment method they know and trust. To support this expansion, PagBrasil has partnered with the American company Verifone, a global leader present in 165 countries that processes around USD 8 trillion annually. In fact, 75% of major U.S. retailers use Verifone terminals.
According to Alex Hoffman, CEO of PagBrasil, the partnership aims to better serve the 1.9 million Brazilian tourists who visit the U.S. each year, spending over USD 4 billion on purchases.
This initiative is just one example of PagBrasil’s growing international presence, helping international merchants innovate their payment processes and making shopping abroad smoother for Brazilian consumers. Today, International Pix is available not only in U.S. stores, but also in Uruguay, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and China—countries frequently visited by Brazilian tourists.
So, Does Pix Have an IOF Fee?
All purchases made by Brazilians abroad in foreign currency are subject to the current IOF rate of 3.5%, regardless of the payment method—whether by card, cash, international transfers, or International Pix. The exchange rate is guaranteed at the time of purchase, and the total amount in reais is visible in the buyer’s banking app before the transaction is confirmed.
Why Is IOF Charged on International Pix?
IOF is charged on Pix transactions abroad because they involve currency exchange. The consumer pays in reais, while the merchant receives the payment in their local currency, requiring a conversion to complete the transaction.
As mentioned earlier, IOF applies to various currency exchange operations in Brazil, including credit card transactions, the purchase of foreign cash, and international transfers for availability abroad (a model used by international accounts that offer prepaid debit cards).
What Is the IOF Rate for International Pix?
The current IOF rate for International Pix is 3.5% of the purchase amount. This rate was standardized in July 2025 and also applies to card transactions.
International Pix vs. Credit Card: Which Is More Advantageous?
To illustrate the benefits of International Pix for both buyers and merchants, check out the comparison table below:
| International Pix | Credit Card | |
| IOF Rate | 3.5% | 3.5% |
| Exchange Rate | Commercial rate | Tourist rate |
| For the Merchant | No risk of chargeback due to fraud | Risk of chargeback due to fraud |
| Payment Confirmation | Instant | Instant |
As you can see from the data above, International Pix and credit cards share the same IOF rate, and both offer instant payment confirmation for the payer and the merchant. However, with a credit card transaction, the final amount paid by the customer—including the product price and any fees—is only visible when the statement closes. With International Pix, the amount is displayed on the POS terminal immediately, since the exchange rate is guaranteed at the time of purchase.
The main advantage of International Pix compared to credit cards lies in the costs. International Pix uses the commercial exchange rate to calculate the conversion between currencies. In contrast, banks use the tourist exchange rate when processing an international credit card purchase.
The tourist exchange rate uses the commercial rate as a reference but is always more expensive for the buyer, as it includes the currency conversion spread—a percentage-based margin applied to the operation, which is set individually by each bank. To give you an idea, using a credit card abroad or purchasing foreign cash typically carries a spread of 5% to 7%, while for International Pix, the average is between 2% and 3%.
The transparency of International Pix—thanks to its use of the exchange rate at the moment of the transaction—is another advantage compared to credit cards, which not only apply IOF to the transaction but also add the bank’s chosen spread for the day. Additionally, International Pix is safer, since it cannot be lost or stolen (as a card can), and more convenient, as it is already part of Brazilians’ daily financial habits.
What Is the Advantage for a Foreign Merchant to Offer International Pix in Their Store?
Offering International Pix in your store is a way to increase revenue from Brazilian consumers abroad. Beyond the 1.9 million who visit the U.S. annually, as mentioned earlier, Brazil recorded 24.9 million passengers on international flights in 2024, according to G1. The Central Bank also reports that Brazilian tourists spent a total of USD 14.8 billion globally that same year.
Merchants in destinations with high Brazilian tourist traffic stand out by offering Pix, since travel budgets don’t always cover all expenses, and many tourists are reluctant to pay the high costs associated with card transactions. With International Pix, you can also demonstrate a tangible effort to provide a hospitable experience for Brazilian customers.
Another clear benefit for international merchants is the financial security offered by International Pix, as these purchases cannot be reversed due to fraud, unlike credit card transactions. Processing costs are also lower compared to card payments.
Finally, the growing popularity of Pix demonstrates the payment method’s longevity, as it is now part of daily life for the four main consumer generations—from baby boomers to Gen Z—according to O Globo. The rapid adoption of new financial habits is likely to extend to International Pix, and offering it in your store signals innovation and competitiveness, providing a modern solution used by Brazilians of all ages.
How Does PagBrasil Enable Your Business to Accept Pix from Brazilians?
PagBrasil specializes in innovative payment technology, creating solutions that reflect Brazilian consumer behavior. This ensures our products are tailored to the spending habits of your potential customers.
To make this possible, PagBrasil partners with major local acquirers and payment processors, enabling Pix on merchants’ POS devices. For example, our recent collaboration with Verifone in the U.S. shows how we connect with global partners. In Europe, we work with companies like WiPay, PayByrd, and Eupago, and in Latin America, with Bancard, Plexo, Getnet, B89, and Ligo.
Our intuitive solution handles all the currency exchange complexities involved in processing Pix outside Brazil, giving your business a straightforward way to increase revenue from Brazilian tourists abroad.
International Pix and IOF: Key Takeaways
With the tax changes Brazil implemented in 2025, the IOF charged on International Pix transactions was adjusted to the current rate of 3.5%.
The same rate applies to credit card purchases abroad, which does not diminish the advantages of International Pix for either international merchants or consumers.
For businesses abroad, offering Pix is a smart way to stand out and boost revenue. With its expertise and major partnerships—like the recent collaboration with Verifone—PagBrasil is your go-to partner for bringing International Pix to your store. Ready to make shopping easier for Brazilian customers?
Get in touch with PagBrasil’s specialists and discover all the benefits of International Pix.
