The federal government decided to review import tariffs on smartphones and electronic products. The measure was approved this Friday (27) by the Executive Management Committee of the Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Gecex), linked to the Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Camex).
The impact of the decision on consumer prices is “practically zero”, estimated at an increase of 0.062%.
The calculation is by Uallace Moreira Lima, secretary of Industrial Development, Innovation, Commerce and Services of the Ministry of Development, Industry, Commerce and Services, who accompanied vice-president Geraldo Alckmin on an agenda this Saturday, in São Paulo.
According to him, the production of cell phones in the country is already mostly national: around 95% of the devices purchased by Brazilians are manufactured in Brazil. Therefore, the changes have such a low impact on the consumer.
02/28/2026 – Secretary of Industrial Development, Innovation, Commerce and Services, Uallace Moreira Lima. Photo: MDIC/Disclosure
What changed?
The government’s decision involves a set of 120 products. Of this total:
– 105 items had import tax zeroed;
– 15 products continued in the previous percentages. These include notebooks, smartphones, routers, Braille printers and graphics tablets.
These 15 items, according to the secretary, would be adjusted to 16% or 20%, or would go from 12% to 16%, as they have similar items produced in the country.
With the review, the previous rates were maintained, such as 10% or 16%.
In practice, the measure approved on Friday maintains the previous conditions for these products and expands the list of items with zero tariffs.
Low costs
According to Uallace Moreira Lima, the central objective of the decision is to defend the national production chain and, at the same time, keep production costs low.
The secretary explained that the ex-tariff regime was maintained, which practically reduces import taxes for certain goods to zero.
“The logic is to ensure that companies continue to have access to lower-cost inputs and equipment, without harming the national industry.”
The concession of ex-tariff, when requested by the industry, will be given automatically, before a 150-day analysis to determine whether the item is produced nationally.
For the government, calibrating tariffs makes it possible to protect production, employment and income, without generating price increases for the population.
Dialogue
According to the secretary, part of the initial criticism and negative repercussions occurred due to a “lack of careful reading” of the resolutions that regulated the change.
He highlighted that it was agreed with the sector that all products that had a zero rate and would increase to 7% could have the benefit reinstated immediately, upon request from the companies.
“This commitment is being fulfilled by the government”, highlighted Uallace.
For him, as the productive sector begins to understand the details of the decision, it becomes clear that the policy was formulated carefully, preserving the incentive to import inputs and, at the same time, protecting national production.
How it works
According to the established rules, companies that had their tax rate increased from 0% to 7% can submit a request for review. From there, the government begins to analyze whether or not the product has a national similarity.
If there is no equivalent product manufactured in the country, the rate remains at 0%;
If, at the end of the analysis, it is found that there is a similar national product, the tariff returns to 7%.
The same procedure applies to new investments. If a company intends to import a machine or equipment that does not yet have the benefit of the zero tariff, it may request inclusion in the ex-tariff.
The government will then check whether there is equivalent national production before granting the benefit.
According to the secretary, the regime will continue to operate normally, reinforcing the technical and dialogued nature of the tariff policy adopted by the government.
* Article updated at 7:36 pm to adjust the estimated impact percentage.
