For the second time in less than 24 hours, the Ministry of Finance denied news about an alleged end of the US$ 50 exemption for internet purchases from abroad. In a note issued at the end of this Wednesday afternoon (12), in Brasilia, the folder informed that the measure is not under study and that it only intends to increase the inspection of stores online that break up purchases and act irregularly.
The ministry informed that the exemption for sending orders of up to US$ 50 between individuals, without commercial purposes, will continue to be valid. The Federal Revenue, highlighted the ministry, intends to combat companies that use loopholes in inspection to send purchases as if they were individuals and escape taxation.
“This benefit [a isenção sobre encomendas de até US$ 50] applies only to person-to-person shipments. If, based on it, companies are splitting purchases, and pretending to be natural persons, they are acting illegally”, highlighted the note.
Still according to the government, there will be no change for those who currently buy and sell legally over the internet, who pay Import Tax of 60%. The provisional measure to be edited soon, informed the text, will anticipate the provision of declarations by companies when the goods have not yet arrived in the country.
“What the Ministry of Finance intends to do is strengthen inspection. As of the provisional measure, the exporter will have to provide an advance declaration with data on the exporter and who buys it, in addition to the product”, clarified the statement.
According to the official note, the changes will benefit the consumer who will receive the purchases online faster, with more safety and quality. “The products will have the release process streamlined based on the information provided by the legal seller, while they are still in transit to the country”, informed the ministry.
According to the government, they will also benefit [com a decisão] Brazilian companies as the fight against tax evasion and smuggling will be encouraged. “Brazilian companies also benefit, especially small companies, which employ the most and correctly pay their taxes”, he concluded.
Confusion
On Tuesday (11) night, the Federal Revenue had released another note in which he denied the intention to end the Import Tax exemption for low-value orders between individuals. The text, however, caused confusion because it spoke of eliminating “the distinction of treatment in remittances by legal entities and individuals” in operations below US$ 50.
“There has never been a $50 waiver for purchases online from abroad. Therefore, it makes no sense to say that one intends to put an end to what does not exist. Nothing changes for the buyer and the seller online that acts in legality”, countered the new official note.
exemptions
Currently, Import Tax is not charged in two situations. The first is the exemption established by law for books, magazines (and other periodicals) and medicines. In the case of medicines, purchases by individuals of up to US$ 10,000 are exempt, with the product released only if it meets the standards of the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa).
Orders of up to US$ 50 also do not pay tax. However, the benefit is only granted if the shipment takes place between two individuals, without commercial purposes.
