Brazil scraps 20% federal tax on imports under $50
Brazil drops 20% federal duty on sub-$50 imports
President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure scrapping the 20% federal Import Tax on international e-commerce purchases up to $50, reversing the so-called "taxa das blusinhas" that took effect in August 2024. The decree was published in the Official Gazette in May and applies to shipments cleared after that date, though Congress must confirm it within the constitutional window for it to stick.
The exemption restores a 0% federal duty for low-value parcels routed through the Remessa Conforme compliance program, which covers major platforms like Shein, AliExpress and Amazon global. State ICMS tax of roughly 17% still applies on the CIF value and courier handling fees remain in place. Orders above $50 keep the 60% Import Tax with a $20 deduction.
Who feels the change
The cut targets cross-border shipments by value, not by recipient status, so foreign residents are treated the same as Brazilians at customs. Expats and digital nomads who routinely order cables, peripherals, supplements, clothing or small electronics from abroad will see the total tax burden on sub-$50 parcels drop from roughly 40% to about 17%, according to Brazilian logistics commentary.
Long-stay travelers shipping items to a Brazilian address during their stay get the same treatment. Luggage allowances for arriving passengers, including the $1,000 air traveler exemption in place since 2022, are governed by separate rules and aren't affected.
What buyers need to do
Nothing changes procedurally. Recipients still provide a CPF or passport number at checkout and PRC-enrolled platforms display the tax-inclusive final price before payment. ICMS is typically collected at checkout; some couriers bill it on delivery.
A few cautions:
- Splitting a larger order into multiple sub-$50 parcels to dodge the 60% bracket can trigger customs re-assessment.
- The provisional measure could be modified or rejected by Congress, which would reinstate the 20% duty.
- ICMS rates vary by state, so the final landed cost differs depending on the delivery address.
Read our full Brazil guide for the complete picture and follow our nomad news feed for further updates.
Frequently asked questions
What changed for imports under $50 in Brazil?
Does Brazil still charge any tax on packages under $50?
Which platforms are covered by Brazil's lower import tax rule?
What tax applies to orders above $50 in Brazil?
Do foreign residents and digital nomads get the same customs treatment as Brazilians?
Do buyers still need to provide identification at checkout in Brazil?
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