Shein and Shopee: 72% of Brazilians buy from abroad – 04/19/2023 – Market

International retailers such as Shein, Shopee and Aliexpress have become part of the consumption habits of an increasing number of Brazilians. Research by NIQ Ebit shows that, in 2022, 72% of consumers who chose to shop via ecommerce chose these platforms.

The data indicate that the option for websites outside the country has been growing since the pandemic. In 2019, before the health crisis, the proportion was 58% of consumers. The preferred platforms are the Asian ones, which already represent half of the purchases made online.

According to the Webshoppers study, carried out since 2021 to guide professionals in the segment, it was not only the number of new consumers that increased, but also the frequency of purchases on foreign websites.

According to the study, 2022 followed the trend of increasing internet shopping among Brazilians, with greater growth from March. The credit card was the option of 80% of consumers, who are increasingly giving importance to free shipping.

The increase in the number of orders, however, was impacted by the reduction in the average ticket. The value was BRL 720 in 2021 and became BRL 259 in 2022. On Asian platforms, about 43% of buyers spent between BRL 101 and BRL 500.

In recent days, Asian retailers have gained centrality in the political debate after the government announced that it would end the import tax exemption for orders of up to US$ 50 (R$ 247) sent by individuals and also destined for individuals.

The decision by the Ministry of Finance was intended to close the siege to foreign companies that use loopholes in Brazilian legislation to sell imported products without paying tax, improperly placing the names of individuals as senders.

The measure, however, generated negative repercussions on social networks due to the possibility of an increase in the prices of products sold by platforms such as AliExpress, Shein and Shopee.

Last Tuesday (18), the Minister of Finance, Fernando Haddad, announced the government’s decision to end the import tax exemption for purchases.

“The president asked us to try to solve this administratively, to use the inspection power of the Federal Revenue without the need to change the current rule. It was generating confusion that this could harm people who, in good faith, receive packages from abroad until this level, which is an old rule,” he said.