New Rules: Lula sanctions taxation on international purchases up to US$50 and incentives for sustainable vehicles
The measures were included in the same project approved by Congress in agreement with the economic team. The law establishes a 20% tax on these purchases. Lula criticized the change, calling it 'irrational'.
The charge was the result of negotiations between Congress and the government's economic area - Illustrative photo/Adobe Stock
President Lula sanctioned this Thursday (27) important changes in fiscal and environmental policies, aiming to balance international trade and promote sustainable practices in Brazil. Two measures stand out in this set of new rules: taxation of international purchases up to a value of US$50 and incentives for sustainable vehicles. Previously, these purchases were only subject to ICMS, a state tax.
With the new rule, an import tax of 20% on the purchase value was added to the price, before the ICMS is charged. The approval took place during a meeting of the Economic and Social Development Council, known as Conselhão, in the morning, with Lula's sanction. As of 12:40 pm, the government had not yet confirmed whether there would be vetoes on the proposal.
Taxation on international purchases up to US$50
As of the new legislation, purchases made by Brazilians on international websites, the value of which is less than US$50, will be subject to taxation. This measure aims to level competition between local and foreign companies, in addition to increasing the country's tax revenue. Previously, purchases of up to US$50 were tax-free, which created unequal competition with national commerce.
The introduction of this charge was the result of negotiations between Congress, which resisted the increase in the tax burden, and the government's economic area, which sought to increase revenue. Despite the agreement, in recent weeks, Lula had repeatedly criticized the measure. On Wednesday (26), the day before the sanction, the president labeled the charge as "irrational".
"We have a sector of Brazilian society that can travel abroad once a month, and can buy up to 2 thousand dollars without paying tax. They can go to the duty-free shop and buy a thousand, and they can buy a thousand in the country, and pay no tax. And it's wonderful, I did this to help the middle class, the upper middle class", said Lula, in an interview with Uol. "Now, when my daughter arrives, my wife, who is going to buy 50 dollars, am I going to tax 50 dollars? Isn't it irrational? Isn't it a contradictory thing?", continued the Brazilian president.
Incentives for sustainable vehicles
In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote clean technologies, taxing international purchases was included in a government project that also addresses encouraging the production of sustainable vehicles. Electric, hybrid and clean energy cars will now receive tax benefits and financial incentives. This means that the measure will support companies committed to sustainable practices and will also establish new requirements for the sale of new vehicles in the country.
This project not only encourages the adoption of less polluting technologies, but also places Brazil as an active participant in the global fight against climate change. Now turned into law, the measure establishes the Green Mobility and Innovation Program (Mover), with the objective of reducing carbon emissions in the automotive industry by 2030. This initiative is one of the main priorities of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, under the leadership of vice-president Geraldo Alckmin.
In summary, the text proposes significant incentives for companies that choose to invest in research, development and production of sustainable technologies in the automotive industry. The possibility of granting financial credits for these initiatives is under discussion. In addition, new environmental regulations may be established for the sale of new vehicles in the country, covering criteria such as energy efficiency and recyclability of cars, tractors and buses.
The project also foresees the implementation of a "green" Tax on Industrialized Products (IPI), with reduced rates for vehicles with a lower environmental impact. This proposal was presented by President Lula's government last December, accompanied by a provisional measure with the same content, which is about to expire at the end of this month.
