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The government is considering increasing the ICMS tax rate to 25% on international purchases, affecting platforms such as Shein, Shopee and AliExpress. Will local businesses benefit?
In recent years, millions of Brazilians have adopted international websites such as Shein, Shopee and AliExpress to save money on purchases of clothes, electronics and accessories.
However, a new proposal under discussion promises to shake up this practice and, in addition, inflate the final prices of these products.
O federal government is evaluating the possibility of increasing the tax on international remittances, a decision that has divided opinions.
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The National Committee of State Secretaries of Finance, Income or Taxation (Comsefaz) will meet this Thursday, December 5, to discuss a thorny issue: raising the ICMS rate applied in the Remessa Conforme Program, which is currently 17%, to 25%.
According to journalist Lauro Jardim, from the newspaper The Globe, this measure responds to pressure from national retailers, who have long denounced practices considered unfair by foreign giants.
If approved, this change will not only make purchases made on these marketplaces more expensive, but could also profoundly change Brazilians' online consumption habits.
What is the Remessa Conforme Program and how does it work?
Created to regulate international e-commerce, the Remessa Conforme Program seeks to ensure adequate taxation of purchases made outside Brazil.
When a consumer purchases from websites such as AliExpress, the applicable tax should be collected at the time of payment, avoiding fraud and under-declaration of values.
Currently, the rate is 17%, but with the new proposal, it would jump to 25%.
This 8% difference may seem small at first glance, but it represents a considerable increase in the final price of products that already suffer from currency conversion and additional fees.
Since August 2024, when the program underwent adjustments, the number of international shipments has fallen by more than 40%, according to industry data.
This decline highlights the direct impacts of stricter tax policies, but it also raises questions about the limits of this strategy.
The direct impact on the consumer's pocket
Sites like Shein and Shopee have won over the Brazilian public with low prices and a wide variety of products.
However, if the proposal to increase ICMS is approved, the final cost of these purchases will rise, driving away many consumers who depend on these platforms to save money.
For example, a piece of clothing that costs R$100, currently taxed at R$17, would now be charged R$25 in ICMS alone, not counting other taxes.
More expensive products, such as electronics, would feel the brunt of this adjustment even more.
The Brazilian retail sector, which has long pointed to disparity in market conditions, sees the proposal as an attempt to level the playing field.
Local companies argue that they face difficulties in competing with international marketplaces that, in some cases, circumvent tax rules or use legal loopholes.
Benefit or harm to the national economy?
On the side of government, the increase in ICMS has economic and fiscal justification. The extra revenue would help reduce the deficit in public accounts, in addition to protecting local industry and retail.
For Comsefaz, this measure also encourages fairer behavior in the market, preventing foreign giants from abusing unfair competitive advantages.
On the other hand, critics point out that this type of decision could end up harming the end consumer, who is already dealing with reduced purchasing power due to inflation.
Furthermore, the measure could slow the growth of e-commerce, one of the most promising sectors of the Brazilian economy in recent years.
As journalist Lauro Jardim highlights, the decision reflects the complex relationship between fiscal policies, economic interests and consumer needs.
Although the government claims the measure seeks to protect jobs and encourage local consumption, the impact on the cost of living for Brazilian families could be significant.
The future of e-commerce in Brazil
The debate surrounding the increase in ICMS to 25% is just one piece of a larger puzzle.
The popularization of international shopping has brought undeniable benefits, such as greater access to products and more competitive prices, but it has also created regulatory challenges for the government.
If the measure goes ahead, consumers will have to reconsider their purchasing options, possibly returning to prioritizing the domestic market.
On the other hand, international platforms are likely to look for alternatives to continue attracting Brazilian audiences, such as promotions or price subsidies.
With this change, e-commerce could enter a new era in Brazil, marked by stricter rules and higher taxation. The question that remains is: will consumers be willing to pay the price?
