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The Lula government is studying the possibility of further increasing taxes on purchases made on international websites, the famous Blouse Tax
Next Thursday (5), the National Committee of State Secretaries of Finance, Revenue or Taxation (Comsefaz) must discuss a controversial proposal: the increase in the ICMS rate in Compliant Shipping Program, the famous blouse fee.
A "blouse fee” could rise from 17% to 25%. The measure, which responds to pressures from national retailers, promises to have a significant impact on consumers’ pockets. consumers and on international shopping platforms such as Shein, Shopee and AliExpress.
According to information released by the columnist Laura Jardim, The Globe, The aim is to strengthen the competitiveness of national retail in the face of foreign platforms. However, the proposal raises concerns about the effects on the prices of imported products and on the consumer behavior of Brazilians.
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Effects of taxation on imports
O Compliant Shipping Program has already been changing the import scenario in Brazil. Recent data from the Federal Revenue Service shows that, since the implementation of the “blouse tax”, imports have fallen by 40%.
This tax is levied on international purchases under US$50 and, to date, has generated R$533 million in federal revenue.
If the numbers remain the same, the projection is that the government will collect around BRL 2 billion in 2025. However, the reduction in imports is already evident. In July, before the application of the taxes, 18,4 million shipments were registered with values up to US$ 50, totaling R$ 1,5 billion. In August, after the tax, this number fell to 10,9 million packages, totaling R$822 million.
The downward trend also appears in the quarterly data. Between April and June, Brazilians bought 51,3 million imported products. After the taxes were implemented, the number fell to 34 million in the August-October quarter.
Taxation and competitiveness
The Remessa Conforme Program was created with the promise of facilitating and regulating imports. It currently has 30 retailers participating, and taxes are charged at the time of purchase.
This includes a 20% federal tax on purchases of up to US$50 and 60% for amounts above, in addition to the state ICMS of 17%.
However, with the possible increase in the ICMS rate to 25%, the impact on international platforms should be even greater.
For representatives of the national retail sector, the measure has been positive. According to them, the program has encouraged consumers to return to shopping at local stores. Industry data indicate a 4,5% growth in national retail between August and September of this year alone.
Blouse Tax Controversy Under Debate
Despite the gains for domestic retail, the proposal is not free from criticism. Experts warn that the increase in ICMS could further increase the prices of imported products, restricting consumers' access to popular items.
Furthermore, there are doubts about how the changes will affect revenue in the long term, since the reduction in the volume of imports may end up offsetting the increase in the tax rate.
O government will face a dilemma: meet the demands of domestic retail or preserve the conditions for consumers to continue buying products from foreign platforms. The outcome of this decision will be crucial in shaping the future of international shopping and the local market in Brazil.
