Brazil Slashes Tariffs to Zero on Imports of Covid-19 Vaccines and Related Products

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Overall, Brazil has cut import tariffs to zero on 509 products, the federal government reported on Monday, September 18th. More 118 products used to fight the coronavirus pandemic had their tariffs reduced, including 80 medicines. The tariffs were reduced by decision of the Foreign Trade Chamber (CAMEX).

The tariff-free products include chemicals like prednisone, which is indicated for the treatment of endocrinal, musculoskeletal, allergic and ophthalmic diseases. The list also includes lead-acid battery, lopinavir, levosimendan, ritonavir, ribarivin, codeine, sterilized water for injections, glucose injectable solutions, 3.5% gelatin solution, 12% glycerin solution, peracetic acid-based cleaning solution, hospital convective warming blanket, and other products required for vaccination procedures.

In addition to cutting import duties, essential products to fight coronavirus also had their Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI) cut to zero. Customs clearances on imports have been sped up, and imports of some equipment used for intensive care units were allowed.

In March 2020, a resolution exempted taxes on COVID-19-related products until September 30. A new resolution published on September 17 extends the exemption until October 30, 2020. The new term also applies to products included in the latest exemption list.

According to the Ministry of Economy, 11 resolutions have already been issued by Brazil since March of this year to zero import tariffs on 562 products used to combat the pandemic. The list includes both medicines and medical and hospital products, as well as supplies and components and accessories used in manufacture, and operational items used during the new coronavirus pandemic.

The list of import tax exemptions published on September 17th includes COVID-19 vaccines and inputs for the manufacture in Brazil of items used in nutritional supplements and in the treatment of patients affected by the virus. Inclusion was requested by the Ministry of Health.

According to the Ministry of Economy, the inclusion of anti-COVID-19 vaccines will be done using a comprehensive Mercosur Common Nomenclature (NCM) classification for the type and presentation, as the types of vaccines that will arrive in the Brazilian market have not yet been defined.

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