Brazil Congress Scraps 20% Import Tax on Online Buys Up to US$50
Brazil · TRADE
Key Facts
- —What happened Brazil’s Congress approved a measure ending the 20% import tax on purchases up to US$50.
- —How big The zero rate applies to all international online purchases up to US$50.
- —Bigger purchases Remittances between US$50 and US$3,000 keep a tax, cut from 60% to 30%.
- —The catch The tax was already zero since May, but now becomes permanent.
- —Who it hits Shoppers on Shein, Shopee, and AliExpress benefit from the change.
- —What comes next President Lula must sign the measure to make it law.
Brazil’s Congress has permanently ended the 20% import tax on foreign online purchases up to US$50. The measure now awaits President Lula’s signature.
Brazil’s Congress approved a measure on 3 September 2026 to permanently scrap the 20% import tax on online buys up to US$50. The import tax now goes to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for his signature.
Congress Approves Measure
Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies and Senate both approved MP 1.357/2026 on 3 September 2026. Both votes were symbolic, meaning no individual tally was recorded.
A provisional measure is a rule the president can issue that has the force of law immediately. Congress must vote on it within a set time or it expires.
The measure zeros the federal Import Tax on international purchases of up to US$50. This tax was 20% before the measure took effect.
The zero rate has applied since May 2026, when the measure was first issued. Now Congress has made that zero rate permanent.
Why It Matters
This affects Brazilians who buy low-cost items from foreign websites like Shein, Shopee, and AliExpress. These shoppers will no longer pay the 20% tax on items worth up to US$50.
The measure also cuts the tax on remittances between US$50 and US$3,000. That rate drops from 60% to 30%, Agência Senado reported.
The measure would have expired on 8 September 2026 if Congress had not voted. That would have brought back the 20% tax automatically.
By approving on 3 September, Congress met the deadline. The text now goes to President Lula for sanction.
The Rapporteur
Senator Leila Barros of the PDT party in the Federal District was the rapporteur. She led the joint commission that reviewed the measure.
Her report kept the zero tax on purchases up to US$50. It also included provisions for periodic evaluations of the measure’s impact.
President Lula must now sign the measure into law. Once he does, the zero rate becomes permanent.
The Finance Ministry can now set different import tax rates by shipping method and by platform compliance. This gives the government flexibility in the future.
Background
The tax was known as the ‘taxa das blusinhas,’ or ‘blouse tax’ in Portuguese. It applied to low-value international purchases.
The measure was issued in May 2026, temporarily setting the tax to zero. Congress had until 8 September to approve it or let it expire.
Reactions
The approval was reported by multiple Brazilian outlets, including G1, Poder360, and Reuters. None reported any opposition or debate in the symbolic votes.
The measure is seen as a win for consumers who shop online from foreign retailers. It keeps prices lower for items under US$50.
A US$50 purchase costs about R$255 (US$50) at the exchange rate of R$5.09 per dollar. The old 20% tax would have added US$10, or about R$51 (US$10).
That tax is now zero for purchases up to US$50. Shoppers keep the full R$51 (US$10) they once paid.
Government Authority
The measure also cuts the tax on remittances between US$50 and US$3,000, from 60% to 30%. The Finance Ministry and Congress will evaluate its effects every six months.
What If Lula Vetoes?
If Lula vetoes the measure, Congress can override it with an absolute majority in a joint session. This is standard procedure in Brazil.
No reports indicate whether Lula supports or opposes the measure. He has not yet signed it as of the latest reports.
Many countries tax low-value imports to protect local retailers. Brazil’s move is a shift toward free trade for small purchases.
The measure also cuts tax on purchases between US$50 and US$3,000, from 60% to 30%. Purchases above US$3,000 keep their existing import duties.
Next Steps for Shoppers
Shoppers can continue buying from foreign sites without paying the 20% tax on items up to US$50. The zero rate is now permanent once Lula signs.
The measure also includes provisions for periodic reviews. This means the policy could change in the future based on its impact.
Until then, the zero rate remains in effect from the May 2026 measure.
Summary
Brazil’s Congress has approved a measure to permanently end the 20% import tax on online purchases up to US$50. The import tax now goes to President Lula for final approval.
If signed, the zero rate will remain in effect, benefiting millions of Brazilian online shoppers.
What Is a Provisional Measure?
A provisional measure gives a rule the force of law right away, but Congress must approve it in time. For MP 1.357/2026, that deadline was 8 September 2026, Agência Senado and G1 reported.
How the Approval Process Worked
The measure first went to a joint commission of deputies and senators. On 2 September 2026, that commission approved the report by Senator Leila Barros (PDT-DF).
What the Measure Changes Beyond US$50
The measure also cuts the tax on shipments between US$50 and US$3,000, from 60% to 30%. The Senate committee approved this change on 2 September 2026, Agência Senado reported.
The text also lets the Finance Ministry set different tax rates by shipping method and by platform compliance. Agência Senado reported this on 3 September 2026.
Why the Deadline Mattered
If Congress had not approved the measure by 8 September 2026, the 20% tax would have returned on 9 September. That is because the measure would have lost its validity.
The measure had been in effect since May 2026, when Lula first issued it. Without approval, the old tax would have applied again to purchases up to US$50.
Congress had until 8 September 2026 to approve the measure or it would expire.
If expired, the 20% Import Tax would return on 9 September 2026, affecting shoppers.
What Happens Next for Shoppers
Now the measure goes to President Lula for his sanction. Once he signs it, the zero tax becomes permanent, as G1 explained.
Until he signs, the zero rate continues because the measure is still in force. Shoppers should watch for news of the sanction to know when the rule is final.
What the Symbolic Vote Means
A symbolic vote means lawmakers approved the measure without a recorded roll-call tally, as reported by Poder360 and G1.
This type of vote is common for non-controversial measures and does not show how each deputy or senator voted.
This gives the government flexibility to adjust the tax in the future without needing new legislation.
The reports do not specify a deadline for Lula’s sanction or veto, but under Brazilian practice, he typically has 15 working days.
The measure also cuts tax on remittances between US$50 and US$3,000, from 60% to 30%.
This means shoppers buying items over US$50 also pay less tax than before, though not zero.
This indicates broad consensus, but no exact vote numbers are available.
That new 30% rate applies up to US$3,000; amounts above that keep the standard import duty.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the import tax on online purchases in Brazil?
The import tax on international purchases up to US$50 was 20%. Congress has now approved a measure to make the zero rate permanent.
Who benefits from this tax change?
Brazilians who shop on foreign websites like Shein, Shopee, and AliExpress benefit. They will no longer pay the 20% tax on items worth up to US$50.
When does the new zero tax take effect?
The zero rate has applied since May 2026. It becomes permanent once President Lula signs the measure into law.
What happens if Lula does not sign the measure?
If Lula vetoes, Congress can override it with an absolute majority. If he does nothing for 15 working days, the measure becomes law anyway.
Connected Coverage
Sources: Poder360; G1; Reuters; Agência Senado.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error
Read More from The Rio Times