[cassianoleal]

> Who do you suppose is responsible for the rest of the much higher prices?

In the case of Apple, they sell them directly so I don't think it's anyone but themselves. Not sure about Sony and others.

> Or are the retailers simply charging what the Brazilian market will bear?

This is certainly a factor. Similarly, cars are way overpriced in Brazil, simply because people will pay.

> It should be possible for some enterprising Brazilians to import Sony and Apple products from elsewhere in the world

They do, but usually small scale. I know people who have purchased Apple computers for half the Brazilian price from sellers on Mercado Livre (South American eBay).