Government announces tax exemption for international purchases of up to US$ 50

Last Friday, the 30th, the Federal Government released a normative instruction that brings significant changes to the rules on international purchases made over the internet.

According to the Ministry of Finance, purchases of up to US$ 50 (about R$ 242.85) will be exempt from Import Tax. This measure will take effect from August 1, 2023.

To obtain the exemption, importing companies must be part of the Conforming Remittance Program, which aims to ensure greater transparency in tax legislation through impositions on organizations participants. According to the government, these measures are aimed at combating embezzlement and smuggling.

Institutions are obliged to provide information that the goods come from abroad and will be imported, informing the values ​​of the goods, freight, insurance and other expenses. In addition, the brand name and trade name of the e-commerce company must be highlighted on the return label.

Controversy involving Brazilian companies

It is worth mentioning that this change in the rules occurred after an episode that generated controversy earlier this year. In March, e-commerce companies such as Sheinand the Shopee, were highlighted in the media when the government announced that it would end the tax exemption for international orders up to US$50.

The change was pressured by Brazilian companies that feared losing space in the market for not being able to compete with the prices of the Chinese giants.

However, days later, the Treasury backed down on the decision, maintaining the exemption. With this new measure, the government seeks to adapt the taxation rules to the demands of international electronic commerce, stimulating purchases made through the internet.

The exemption will benefit both Brazilian consumers and companies operating in the sector, offering more opportunities and facilitating access to international products.

How was it before?

Before the new rule, the tax exemption was exclusive to purchases made by individuals in electronic commerce. Now, companies will also be able to enjoy this benefit, as long as they comply with the rules established by the Conforming Remittance Program.

These rules include adherence to the Federal Revenue program and payment of the Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS).

In addition, although many people believe that purchases under US$ 50 were exempt from taxation, this is a misconception. What happened since the 1990s was the tax exemption for remittances between two individuals and for non-commercial purposes, that is, it did not cover purchases, only gifts sent.