States unify ICMS on purchases on sites like Shein – 06/02/2023 – Market

The states have decided to unify the ICMS rate on purchases made on foreign retail sites at 17%, informed the institutional director of Comsefaz (National Committee of State Treasury Secretaries), André Horta, noting that the percentage is equivalent to the lowest rate in effect today among the federative units.

The agreement was made at a Comsefaz meeting on Tuesday (30), but there is no deadline for the decision to be formalized and put into practice. For this, an agreement will need to be approved by Confaz (National Council for Finance Policy), composed of representatives of the states and the Ministry of Finance.

According to Horta, the Treasury has already been communicated about the decision and, although there is no date for the deliberation, the new rule should be formalized soon.

With the measure, the states seek to be part of the government’s offensive to close the siege to foreign retail sites. The Treasury intends to launch a compliance plan in which these companies would facilitate the release of goods by committing to collect in advance the taxes due on each product.

“With merchandise purchased without a note, the state cannot act in terms of security, public health, it harms the national market. It has many perspectives for gain, of course it is in our interest that it be implemented as soon as possible”, he said.

According to the director of Comsefaz, each state currently has its own ICMS tariff for these operations, with rates that vary between 17% and 25%. With the option for the lowest level, the measure may take effect immediately.

The Treasury even announced that it would extinguish the tax exemption on orders of up to US$ 50 (R$ 248) sent from abroad to Brazil, under the argument that the rule only applies to shipments between individuals, but is used by companies as a subterfuge to avoid paying taxes.

Faced with a strong negative reaction and political pressure, the ministry gave up the idea, starting to draw up the compliance plan and promising to intensify inspection. The plan is still under development and has not yet been announced.

It is also possible that the government changes the Import Tax rate on these products. Currently, the charge is 60% of the value of the goods.