Portuguese Phrase
Tenho que pagar taxa de alfândega por isso?
Meaning
The speaker is asking whether they are obligated to pay a customs duty as a result of a particular situation, such as receiving a shipment from abroad.
When to use
Use this question when you receive a notice from customs, a shipping company, or a friend who mentions an imported item, and you want to confirm if a tax must be paid.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tenhoquepagartaxadealfândegaporisso
Tenho que + infinitivo
Expresses personal obligation; 'Tenho que' is followed by a verb in its infinitive form.
Pagar (infinitivo)
The verb 'pagar' stays in infinitive after 'Tenho que' to indicate the action you must do.
Taxa de alfândega
A noun phrase meaning 'customs duty' or 'customs tax', commonly used in import contexts.
Por isso
A causal connector meaning 'because of that' or 'for that reason', often placed at the end of a question.
🗨In Conversation
Acabei de receber a notificação da alfândega.
I just got the customs notification.
Então, você tem que pagar taxa de alfândega por isso?
So, do you have to pay customs duty because of that?
✕Common Mistakes
Tenho que pagar taxa de alfândega por isso?
In Portuguese, the noun usually takes the definite article when referring to a specific tax.
Tem que pagar taxa de alfândega por isso?
Use 'Tenho que' for first‑person singular; 'tem que' is third‑person.
↔Alternatives
Preciso pagar a taxa de alfândega?
Do I need to pay the customs tax?
É necessário pagar a taxa de alfândega?
Is it necessary to pay the customs duty?
Tenho que arcar com a taxa de alfândega?
Do I have to bear the customs fee?
Cultural Tip
In Brazil, customs taxes are applied to imported goods whose value exceeds a certain threshold (currently around US$50). The tax rate varies by product type, and the phrase is commonly used when dealing with online purchases from abroad or when a courier informs you of additional fees. Remember to keep the invoice and tracking number handy, as they are required for the payment process.