In this guide
In Pedro Juan Caballero, clothes are sold in two different circuits: the big malls that live off Brazilian shopping tourism, such as Shopping China and Shopping Dubai, and the cheaper clothing and accessory shops in the outer neighbourhoods, away from the microcentro. Choose by what you need, imported brands or everyday wear, and before you go check opening hours, sizes and which currency you will be charged in.
Big mall or neighbourhood shop?
Pedro Juan sits right against Ponta Porã in Brazil: Avenida Internacional Doctor Francia marks the border, and together the two cities have more than 200,000 people (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)). That shapes the shopping:
- Big malls: Shopping China, described by Wikipedia as the country's largest imported-goods mall, and Shopping Dubai, opened in 2025, draw most Brazilian shoppers (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab); Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). Shopping China has a fashion and accessories section, according to its own 2026 promotion (Campo Grande News (opens in a new tab)). Good for brands, perfume, or combining clothes with other shopping.
- Microcentro: focused on electronics, phones and computers (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)), so it is not the best area to browse clothing.
- Outer neighbourhoods: supermarkets and cheaper clothing and accessory shops dominate here (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). For everyday clothes, uniforms or children's clothes, start here.
Is it still worth buying brand-name clothes here?
It depends on the exchange rate. Local traders told Infonegocios in 2024 that brands such as Tommy Hilfiger or Levi's, once a price draw, are now also made in Brazil, and that Brazilian clothing production has increased competition (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)). By late 2025, with the real near 5 to the dollar, re-export goods were competitive again and November closed with almost 30% more sales (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)).
In practice: check the price of the same item in a Brazilian shop before crossing, and compare in guaraníes, reais and dollars on the same day.
When are the sales?
Traders on both sides of the border run discount campaigns several times a year:
- Crazy Week: in 2026 it ran 25–28 June, with 80 participating shops, discounts from 10% to over 50% and fashion among the categories (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Black Friday Frontera: the 13th edition ran 18–20 September 2026, with over 100 businesses in Pedro Juan and over 40 in Ponta Porã and discounts of 10% to 50% (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
- Navidad Sin Fronteras: the year-end campaign run by the local chamber of commerce with Ponta Porã's business association (Infonegocios (opens in a new tab)).
Organisers expect tens of thousands of visitors and full hotels on those dates, so if you want to try things on calmly, avoid the campaign Saturday.
How to pay
Big malls usually take cash in several currencies. Shopping China, for example, says it accepts dollars, reais or guaraníes and that international cards are processed in guaraníes, with whatever foreign-transaction tax your bank applies (Campo Grande News (opens in a new tab)). In neighbourhood shops, bring guaraníes in cash or ask whether they take QR.
Always ask for an invoice: Paraguay's consumer agency SEDECO reminds shops that every sale needs one and that sale signs must show the previous price, the discount percentage and the current price in guaraníes (ABC Color (opens in a new tab)).
What to ask about sizes and exchanges
- Sizes: many garments use Brazilian or US sizing. Always try them on rather than trusting the label.
- Exchanges: these depend on each shop. Ask the time limit and whether you can exchange at another branch or only where you bought it.
- Warm clothes: July in Pedro Juan averages about 19 °C and temperatures rarely drop below 0 °C (Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)), so a sweatshirt and a light jacket cover most of winter.
If you are crossing back into Brazil
Brazil's Receita Federal sets a US$500 duty-free allowance per person for arrivals by land; it is individual and cannot be pooled, even within a family, and there are quantity limits per item (Receita Federal (opens in a new tab)). Keep your invoices and do not plan purchases around combining allowances.
FAQ
Where should I buy clothes in Pedro Juan Caballero?
For brands and imports, malls such as Shopping China or Shopping Dubai. For cheaper everyday clothes, shops in the outer neighbourhoods, since the microcentro focuses on electronics.
When are the sales in Pedro Juan Caballero?
During campaigns such as Crazy Week (June in 2026), Black Friday Frontera (September in 2026) and Navidad Sin Fronteras at year end.
Which currency do shops accept?
Big malls take cash in guaraníes, reais or dollars, plus cards. In neighbourhood shops, bring guaraníes or ask about QR.
