Marinho says that imports from China are a blockbuster, but questions social justice – 04/12/2023 – Market

The end of the import tax exemption for orders of up to US$ 50 (R$ 250), a measure that should affect ecommerce companies such as Shein and Shopee, is a necessity to avoid an unfair competition process that impacts the Brazilian market, he said. Minister Luiz Marinho (Labour).

In an appearance before the Labor Committee of the Chamber of Deputies this Wednesday (12), he also questioned the effects of the practice in the country. “Ecommerce is a success with the public, with sales, but is it a success in bringing social justice to the country?”.

According to Marinho, the tax corrections that Minister Fernando Haddad (Finance) promises to adopt to combat “digital smuggling” are a necessity.

Questioned about the impact of the measure, the minister said he believed in an increase in revenue, adding that the corrections also guarantee more justice for the economic dispute.

“You cannot have the process of unfair competition, as it is currently impacting the Brazilian economic market”, he said.

Marinho defended correcting any “wrong tariffs” on import and export products, and said he is in constant contact with the Minister of Industry and Vice President, Geraldo Alckmin, to resolve what he called “cruelties” in certain economic areas, which end up promoting unfair competition to the detriment of Brazilian industry.

“We have to visit all of this, we have to correct it,” he said.

By ending the tax exemption for orders of up to US$ 50 sent by individuals and also intended for individuals, the government seeks to bar the use by e-commerce companies that defraud the import process and improperly place the name of individuals as senders.

According to the Federal Revenue, the rules did not allow exemption for purchases by companies and, therefore, what is being sought is the effective payment of the due tax. The zero rate for remittances actually made by individuals and which are taxed from now on served an insignificant universe, according to the Revenue, and only served for generalized fraud.

“Digital smuggling” is in the sights of the economic portfolio, which estimates to raise up to BRL 8 billion with the taxation of international retail platforms that circumvent the rules of the Tax Authorities.