Governo federal encerra isenção de impostos para encomendas internacionais abaixo de US$ 50, impactando compras na Shein e outras plataformas.

Last week, the Brazilian Federal Government announced changes to the tax exemption for international orders up to $50 between individual consumers. This news has caused concern among Brazilian consumers who shop on websites such as SHEIN because it could make their purchases more expensive.

According to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the action is intended to prevent fraud. Consequently, all products shipped to Brazil will be subject to a 60% tax. Currently, goods from abroad worth up to $50, or around R$250, are tax-free if they are bought by individual consumers.

Goods that are shipped from companies to customers are subject to a 60% tax levy. So, only individual consumers benefit from the current rule. However, e-commerce companies have taken advantage of this loophole by splitting their delivery into smaller packages to maintain their lower-priced offerings.

Although consumers’ ability to buy more inexpensively has been curtailed, increased regulation should mean that these consumers receive their products more quickly. Nonetheless, the tighter regulatory environment may negatively impact product prices.

The legislation relating to this issue will not undergo any modifications. Instead, more stringent inspections will be undertaken in response to the increased influx of merchandise. Taxation is currently being applied but due to the Herculean task in processing such volumes, the IRS is unable to inspect all the products. The new measures will address this deficiency and will not result in the imposition of any new taxes.

However, by increasing the regulation on fiscalisation, purchases made on foreign e-commerce platforms will likely become more expensive. Initially, this cost will only affect retailers, but they will have to spend extra, which may also influence the final price that reaches customers. For example, a product priced at $40 (R$198), plus a $5 (R$25) shipping charge, will result in a total cost of $45 (R$222), making it 60% more expensive. Therefore, a customer would pay another $27 in taxes, bringing the total to $72. Thus, the imported item would cost around R$356.

However, the Brazilian government has claimed that the measure will not affect those who comply with the rules and maintain regulatory compliance. Consequently, some online purchases will be subject to taxes, while others may escape this fate, but it is unknown when this measure will take effect.

The Brazilian government’s renewed approach to international commerce and an established and fair tax structure is a positive signal for the country’s e-commerce sector. Some Brazilian online retailers have welcomed the move to level the playing field for the online retail community, and it will doubtless have its desired impact on regulating this burgeoning sector.

The Brazilian e-commerce boom has catapulted the sector to unprecedented heights, with many entrepreneurs keen to reap the benefits of this expanding marketplace. It is now Brazil’s third-largest investment sector after the traditional segments of energy and natural resources. In recent years, it has seen significant and sustained growth with estimates suggesting that it may reach $106bn this year. This represents a 26% increase over the previous year, and it is expected to account for approximately 56% of all retail sales by 2025.

Meanwhile, many Brazilian households switched to online shopping last year as the Covid-19 pandemic took hold. Therefore, e-commerce platforms, including SHEIN and Shopee, saw their user base in Brazil surge. However, concerns over excess revenues and fiscal irregularities undermined this trend’s sustainability, leading to the government’s announcement of stricter regulations.

As in many other countries, Brazil is mindful of the risks associated with consumer protection and maintaining a level playing field that supports fair trade. Therefore, it is inevitable that the e-commerce industry will gradually conform, ushering in a new era of growth and development. With new regulatory measures implemented and opportunities appearing on the horizon, Brazil’s e-commerce industry could exceed expectations, with more extensive international investment and increased consumer confidence.