After more than a year of analysis, the Executive Management Committee (Gecex) of the Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Camex) raised the Import Tax to 25% for 11 types of iron and steel products. The body responded to a request from the National Union of the Ferrous Metal Drawing and Rolling Industry (Sicetel) to readjust the rates, which pointed to unfair competition from imported products.
In April last year, Gecex/Camex imposed import quotas to these 11 products for one year. Those who exceeded the authorized volume paid a 25% fee.
Currently, the 11 iron and steel products pay 10.8% to 14% to enter the country. With the decision, they will definitely pay 25%, regardless of the volume imported.
Gecex/Camex also raised the import tariff on sodium chlorite, used in water treatment and in the bleaching and peeling of textile fibers, cellulose pulp and paper. The tariff rose from 9% to 10.8%.
The agency raised, for six months, import tariffs on cables and optical fibers, which will cost 35% to enter the country. Currently, cables pay 11.2% Import Tax; and optical fibers, 9.6%. According to the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, the adjustment is also justified by the preservation of the national product from unfair competition with foreign products.
Reductions
On the other hand, Gecex/Camex reduced the Import Tax on four products without national simulation or with insufficient production for the domestic market. In three cases, tariffs were reset to zero:
• electric motors for blenders and food processors: reduction from 18% to 0%;
• acrylonitrile, raw material for the production of chemical components with a temporary lack of national production: reduction from 10.8% to 0%;
• polyester threads used in technical fabrics, tires, grills, tarpaulins, PVC laminates and sewing thread: reduction from 18% to 0%.
Gecex/Camex extended the reduction from 10.8% to 3.8% of glyphosate, a herbicide used on rice, corn, soybeans, beans, sugarcane, grapes, coffee, among others, for six months.
