Measure passed in the bill that regulates the Green Mobility and Innovation Program (Mover) and will be forwarded to the Senate
The Chamber of Deputies approved a 20% tax on international purchases of up to US$50, on Tuesday night (28), a decision that directly affects Asian retailers such as Aliexpress, Shein and Shopee.
The measure passed in the bill that regulates the Green Mobility and Innovation Program (Mover), approved in the plenary and which will be forwarded to the Senate. Initially, the project provided for a 60% charge, which will now be applied to more expensive products.
In the midst of this moment, the platforms began to speak out and, in the case of Aliexpress, they pointed out that they were “surprised by the decision” and that, if converted into law, the end of the exemption will “have a very negative impact on the Brazilian population “, specifically those from the lower classes.
Furthermore, the company also pointed out that the measure discourages international investment in Brazil and “contradicts the opinion of Brazilians who, according to research by the CDE Plan, believe that the fair rate to be applied should be up to 20%, and not 44%. %, how do you plan with this decision for purchases below 50 dollars”.
Shein, on the other hand, pointed to the decision of the Chamber of Deputies as a “setback”. For the company, De Minimis (a tax regime that guaranteed exemption from international purchases up to US$50) “never had a collection function” and that taxing international remittances is not the appropriate response as it directly impacts the population.
In a note sent to the press, the Chinese company also pointed out that with the end of the exemption, the tax burden that will fall on the final consumer will be 44.5%, whereas with the exemption it remained at around 20.82% due to the ICMS charge, in the amount of 17%. “In other words, a dress that the SHEIN consumer bought on the website for R$81.99 (with ICMS of 17% included), will now cost more than R$98 with the new tax burden, formed by the import tax of 20% plus the ICMS of 17%”, explains the company.
On the other hand, Shopee was in favor of taxation, highlighting that 90% of sales made on the platform are from national sellers. According to the statement, the company is seeking to “develop Brazilian entrepreneurship and the e-commerce ecosystem in the country” and therefore believes that the initiative will bring benefits to the marketplace.
Read the announcements in full:
Aliexpress:
“AliExpress informs that it was surprised by the decision of the Chamber of Deputies to raise taxes on international purchases. If converted into Law, the end of De Minimis will have a very negative impact on the Brazilian population, especially those from the lower classes, who will leave to have access to a wide variety of international products, which are mostly not found in the country, at affordable prices. The decision discourages international investment in the country, leaving Brazil as one of the countries with the highest tax rate for purchases of international items. In addition, the measure contradicts the opinion of Brazilians who, according to research by Plano CDE, believe that the fair rate to be applied should be up to 20%, and not 44%, as planned with this decision for companies. purchases under 50 dollars. Furthermore, 90% of the population is against the current rate of 92%, which is intended to be maintained for items over 50 dollars. The change, on the other hand, does not change the exemption for international travel, which allows. that anyone traveling outside the country buys a variety of products exempt from any tax for a total value of R$5,000 every 30 days, further increasing social inequality. AliExpress’ mission is to democratize access to items from around the world, directly connecting consumers to manufacturers around the world, reducing intermediaries in the supply chain and increasing efficiency and productivity to offer its customers quality products at fair prices. We trust that the Brazilian government will take into account the seriousness of the matter and listen to the population’s opinion before making any definitive decision”
Shein:
“In view of the decision taken by the Chamber of Deputies yesterday, May 28, SHEIN sees the end of De Minimis, a tax regime that for over 40 years guaranteed exemption from import tax for international purchases up to USD 50. Since it never had a collection function, the decision to tax international remittances is not the appropriate response as it directly impacts the Brazilian population. Even in light of the decision, SHEIN reaffirms its commitment to the consumer and reinforces that it will continue to dialogue and work. together with the government and other stakeholders to find ways that can enable access for the population, especially classes C, D and E – around 88% of our consumers, according to Ipsos research – so that they continue to have access to the global market. At the end of the exemption, the tax burden that will fall on the final consumer will be 44.5%, which with the exemption remained at around 20.82% due to the ICMS charge, in the amount of 17%. In other words, a dress that the SHEIN consumer bought on the website for R$81.99 (with ICMS of 17% included), will now cost more than R$98 with the new tax burden, formed by the import tax of 20% plus the ICMS of 17%.
It is worth noting that even with the growth of e-commerce in Brazil and around the world, especially after the pandemic that boosted the global population’s digital consumption habits, studies indicate that e-commerce, in general, represents between 10% and 15% of national retail. Meanwhile, the share of e-commerce from international platforms would not reach more than 0.5% of national retail, according to a 2024 study by Tendências Consultoria”
Shopee:
“Shopee supports the measure approved yesterday by the Chamber of Deputies that establishes a 20% import tax rate for products worth up to USD 50 and tax equality. Our focus is local. We want to increasingly develop Brazilian entrepreneurship and the ecosystem of ecommerce in the country and we believe that the initiative will bring many benefits to the marketplace. There will be no impact on consumers who purchase from one of our more than 3 million national sellers who represent 9 out of 10 purchases on Shopee in the country. sellers and consumers in our safe and accessible marketplace. We have invested heavily in expanding our logistics network, which is 100% aimed at serving sales from national retailers. We currently have more than 10 thousand employees in two offices in the city of São Paulo. , 11 distribution centers, more than 100 logistics warehouses, in addition to 2 thousand collection points.”
