What is boleto? Brazil’s popular offline payment method explained

If you're looking to reach more shoppers in Brazil, especially those who prefer offline or cash-based options, understanding boleto is non-negotiable. This guide walks you through what it is, how it works, and why it's still essential despite the rise of instant payment tools.

What is boleto in Brazil? A foundational payment method

Boleto bancário is a cash-based payment method and one of the most enduring options in Brazil. Regulated by the Central Bank of Brazil since 1993, it allows consumers to complete purchases offline using a voucher, a document containing a barcode, due date, amount, and customer information. Each boleto can be paid via ATMs, banking apps, internet banking, or even at lottery outlets and convenience stores.

This Brazilian payment method is popular among people who avoid credit cards or don’t use bank transfers. It fills an important role in the ecosystem of Brazil payment methods, providing access to Brazilian shoppers who prefer cash payment methods or do not maintain a bank account.

Inside the boleto system: How the payment process works

Here’s how the boleto payment works from end to end:

1. The merchant generates a boleto payment slip, which includes a barcode and unique number (linha digitável).
   
   
2. The shopper receives the voucher by email, download, or a link.
   
   
3. They pay a boleto via their preferred channel: ATM, banking app, bank branch, or lottery agent.
   
   
4. The payment gets processed. It takes between one to three business days for payment confirmation.
   
   

Unlike instant online payment methods, the boleto system operates on a delayed settlement model, meaning merchants must wait before marking the transaction as complete.

Who chooses boleto and why?

Consumers who choose boleto tend to fall into specific groups:

• People without a bank account or formal banking relationship
  
  
• Those who are credit-averse or prefer budgeting with cash payments
  
  
• Shoppers wary of submitting personal data online
  
  

It’s widely used for paying bills, mobile top-ups, subscriptions, and even high-ticket items in eCommerce. Many Brazilians appreciate that boletos allow them to manage spending more deliberately.

Advantages of accepting boleto

For businesses looking to accept boleto, the benefits are tangible:

• Reaches the underbanked and those who rely on local payment methods
  
  
• Enables cash payment methods for digital purchases
  
  
• Helps reduce chargebacks and minimise fraud risk
  
  
• Doesn’t require card networks or real-time authorisation
  
  
• Merchants can offer discounts for early or cash settlement
  
  

Supporting alternative payment methods like boleto can open access to a larger base of Brazilian consumers, particularly in regions where card usage is limited.

Trade-offs in the boleto experience

There are some limitations to using boleto as a form of payment:

• No instant confirmation; the wait can stretch to three business days
  
  
• Lacks real-time online transactions or retry logic
  
  
• Requires infrastructure to track and confirm payments post-purchase
  
  
• Often involves in-person visits or manual steps, especially for offline users
  
  

Still, for many merchants, these are reasonable trade-offs for tapping into a wider shopper base.

Integrating boleto payment: What merchants need to know

Integration requires attention to both customer experience and backend processing. Whether through a payment service provider or via direct API, you’ll need:

• Boleto generation tools for issuing the voucher and barcode
  
  
• Automated tracking and payment confirmation triggers
  
  
• Logic to handle due dates, expired boletos, and retries
  
  
• Systems to reconcile funds, as bank transfers may settle asynchronously
  
  

Merchants who plan to accept boleto should also factor in pricing strategy, settlement timelines, and customer messaging to reduce drop-off.

Compliance and standardisation

Every boleto payment must adhere to strict formatting rules. The barcode and linha digitável ensure traceability across the payment system.

Being regulated by the Central Bank, the method follows standards that make processing consistent across issuers. Recent changes have also introduced compatibility with Pix for hybrid settlement models, further blurring the line between traditional and real-time payments.

Boleto or Pix? Why both still matter

With the rise of Pix, it’s fair to ask: is boleto still relevant?

Yes. While Pix offers instant bank transfers and real-time settlement, boletos remain important for customers without access to banking credentials or internet connection.

In practice, a dual strategy, offering both Pix and boleto, lets merchants cover more use cases and meet people where they are. Pix excels in speed; boleto succeeds in reach.

Key takeaways for payment leaders

Boleto continues to be a popular payment method in Brazil. It’s ideal for:

• Subscription services and recurring billing models
  
  
• Invoice-led businesses or postpaid utilities
  
  
• Digital commerce targeting broader Brazilian audiences
  
  

By offering boleto, you’re not just adding another form of payment. You’re giving people a way to transact on their terms. With support from a trusted partner like Antom, it’s easy to integrate, manage, and confirm boleto payments, keeping you competitive across Latin America.