“Af the” blouses will impact the national trade? expert analyzes the economic situation

AliExpress and Shopee reported that the collection of the 20% tax on purchases up to US$50 begins on Saturday (27/7), while Shein will keep the start date for August 1, according to the new rules of the Federal Government. This taxation was decided at the end of June, when President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva sanctioned the Mover Project (PL 914/24). The project, which aims to encourage the production of less polluting items with an investment of R$19.3 billion in five years, also ends the exemption of 10000.

As of August 1, international purchases of up to US$50 will have a rate of 20%. For values between US$50 and US$3 thousand, the rate will be 60%, with a discount of US$20 on the final value. Part of this comes from the survey conducted by the IRS, where it highlighted that in 2023, Brazilians spent more than R$6 billion on purchases of foreign e-commerces. 

According to data from Nuvemshop, released by the portal Consumidor Moderno, small and medium-sized online retail companies in Brazil moved R$2 billion in the first six months of 2024. The number represents a growth of 33% compared to the same period of 2023, when the turnover was R$1.5 billion. Between January and June 2024, 31.8 billion products were sold, an increase of almost 26% compared to the previous year.

According to the president of the Federation of Chambers of Shopkeepers of Sao Paulo (FCDLSP), Mauricio Staffoff, the sanction of taxation of international purchases is a measure that generates a certain balance in national and international sales, but it is not yet the solution. “The decision generates a partial correction in relation to the balance of consumption between national and international products. The producer and the national retailer still receive a very high load of taxes so that the competitiveness of their products in fact stand out?”, he questioned.

Another point raised by the president of FCDL-SP is in relation to job creation. “It is also necessary to pay attention to people in relation to the generation of national jobs. When we buy some foreign product, consequently we are encouraging the chain of jobs in other countries. Now, when we buy a national product, the generation of jobs becomes local”, he concludes.

Still worth importing?

To decide whether it is still advantageous to buy on international sites, it is important to consider several factors. Staffoff highlights the need to assess the final price of the product after taxation, the available budget, the availability of products and their alternatives in the domestic market, and the preference of consumers. This analysis will allow to determine whether the cost-benefit still justifies the import in comparison with national options.

Economic impact

The new rate tends to impact more low-income consumers, which requires strategies to minimize these effects and ensure access to products at fairer and more balanced prices.The expert points out that, despite the challenges, this tax change can create opportunities for local commerce to compete more fairly with imported products. For consumers, price research becomes essential to find the best offers and adapt to the new reality of the market.