The year 2025 marked a definitive structural shift for Brazilians who shop on international websites. Despite new inspection and taxation rules, the appetite for cross-border consumption has not diminished: data from the Federal Revenue Service reveals that, in October alone, more than 16 million shipments arrived in the country. The difference now is that 96% of these packages were processed under the Remessa Conforme Program (RCP).
The program, which allows for advance declaration and tax collection at the time of purchase, has established itself as the market standard. According to official reports, the measure has brought faster clearance of goods and greater transparency regarding final costs.
The End of Customs Surprises
For tax lawyer and international investment specialist, André Peniche, predictability is the main achievement of the new model. Before, the consumer would purchase and wait with uncertainty about whether they would be taxed upon arrival in Brazil.
“The main practical transformation is the advance collection of taxes at the moment of purchase. The consumer now has more clarity about how much they will pay and less risk of hold-up or additional charges,”, explains Peniche.
How Taxation Works in 2025
The platforms' adherence to Remessa Conforme significantly changes the tax rate, especially for lower-value purchases. Understand the differences:
- Platforms Certified under the RCP: For purchases up to US$ 50, the Import Tax has been reduced from 60% to 20%. 0%. The amount is itemized directly in the shopping cart (checkout"Taxes Included"). Additionally, ICMS (a state tax) is levied on the total value.
- Non-Certified Platforms: They follow the traditional taxation rule. The Import Tax remains at 60%, 60%, regardless of the value, added to the ICMS. The charge occurs only when the product arrives in Brazil, which can cause delays in customs clearance and unexpected costs to release the shipment.
What the Consumer Should Do
With thousands of e-commerce platforms already integrated into the system, the recommendation is caution and planning. Peniche warns that the purchasing decision should not be based solely on the advertised product price on the website.
“It is essential to check if the platform is certified under the Remessa Conforme Program and to understand how the ICMS charge works, as it varies by state,”, advises the expert. “When the consumer has access to this information before finalizing the purchase, they significantly reduce the risk of unexpected charges.”
The final guidance for those who will import in 2025 is clear: check the website's certification, calculate the total cost with advance taxes, and keep all transaction receipts to ensure a frictionless shopping experience.
