Prepaid SIMs in Terminal 3
Just past security in Terminal 3, Claro runs the main mobile shop for arrivals who need data in Brazil fast. You’ll see the red Claro branding near the duty-free zone used by long-haul carriers in T3. It’s aimed at international passengers landing on flights from the US and Europe who want a local number before leaving GRU.
Packages often start around a few dozen reais for several gigabytes of data plus local calls, with promos changing month to month. Staff typically set up the SIM on your phone at the counter, including APN settings and eSIM help on newer iPhones and Android devices. Activation usually finishes in under 10 minutes, so it fits into the wait before luggage hits belt 3 or 4.
Claro in Terminal 3 usually keeps hours that match the overnight long-haul banks, often opening before 06:00 and running into the late evening as flights to Europe depart. The shop sits airside or in the immediate arrivals flow for T3, so you don’t need to leave the secure area early just to get mobile service. Cards from Amex, Visa, and Mastercard generally work; bring a physical card as backup.
One practical tip: have your passport open to the ID page and your phone off airplane mode before stepping up. That speeds up registration, which Brazil requires for SIMs tied to your name and passport number.