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The consumer is not the only one who suffers taxes on products purchased abroad, international logistics companies have their own operational costs
Shopee, Shein and AliExpress are platforms for e-commerce that connect sellers and buyers from all over the world. To deliver products in Brazil, they generally use sea and air freight services, hiring logistics and transport companies to carry out deliveries. These companies, in turn, operate various types of ships and aircraft to transport the goods.
In the case of maritime transport, the types of ships used include:
- Container ships: These are ships designed to transport standardized containers, where goods are packed and transported. They are common in international trade and can transport thousands of containers at once.
- General Cargo Ships: These ships are designed to transport loose cargo such as goods packed in bags, boxes or pallets. They can be used to transport a variety of products, including those that don't fit in standard containers.
In the case of air transport, logistics and transport companies contracted by e-commerce platforms use cargo aircraft to transport goods. These aircraft can be:
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- Dedicated Cargo Planes: These are aircraft specifically designed to carry cargo without passenger accommodations. These planes have larger cargo doors and specialized cargo handling systems.
- Combined passenger and cargo aircraft (combi): These are aircraft that can carry both passengers and cargo, with a part of the main compartment dedicated to each type of transport.
E-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Shein and AliExpress often do not have their own ships or aircraft and instead hire companies specializing in logistics and transport to deliver their products. These companies use a combination of cargo ships and aircraft to transport goods according to specific needs and delivery times.
Costs and rates of sea and air transport
It is important to note that the rates and amounts of taxes and fees may vary depending on the product and the specific regulations applicable. Below, I present the approximate rates and average values for each tax and fee mentioned above, considering the context of Brazil:
- Import Tax (II): Rates vary from 0% to 35%, depending on the tariff classification of the product in the Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM). Most products have a rate between 12% and 18%.
- Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI): Rates vary from 0% to 330% and are applied according to the tariff classification of the product and the IPI Incidence Table (TIPI). Common products usually have tax rates between 5% and 15%.
- PIS and COFINS - Import: The PIS rate is 1,65% and the COFINS rate is 7,6%. These rates are applied on the customs value plus the value of Import Tax and PIS/COFINS.
- Tax on the Circulation of Goods and Services (ICMS): The ICMS rate varies according to the Brazilian state and the nature of the product, generally ranging from 7% to 18%. The rate is applied on the customs value, plus other taxes and fees.
- Fee for Using the Integrated Foreign Trade System (SISCOMEX): The import fee is R$ 185,00 per Import Declaration (DI).
- Port and airport taxes: These fees vary according to the port or airport and the quantity of goods. They are usually stated in dollars and can range from a few tens to hundreds of dollars.
- Storage and demurrage fees: The values of these fees depend on the storage time, the terminal and the transport company. They can range from a few tens to thousands of dollars.
- Customs clearance fees: The values depend on the complexity of the operation and the customs broker hired. They can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars.
Keep in mind that these rates and amounts are approximate and may vary depending on your specific circumstances. For detailed and up-to-date information, it is important to consult the current legislation and/or professionals specialized in the field of foreign trade and taxation.
