End of blouse rate threatens competitiveness of national retail, says ABIACOM

The so-called“ blouse rate was created in 2024 to establish the collection of import tax on international purchases of up to US$ 50 made on foreign platforms.The measure sought to reduce competitive inequality between companies based in Brazil and international retailers, which until then benefited from the tax exemption.

The Brazilian Association of Artificial Intelligence and E-commerce (ABIACOM) understands that the end of taxation on low-value international remittances does not represent a consumer protection, but the maintenance of the tax privilege that relieves foreign platforms.For the entity, Brazil needs to ensure tax and competitive equality, ensuring that all companies that wish to sell to the Brazilian consumer are subject to the same rules applied to companies that generate jobs, invest and collect taxes in the country.

In the evaluation of the association, maintaining the exemption for international purchases while national retail continues to be subject to a high tax burden creates unbalanced competition.The entity also highlights that there are estimates pointing out that the taxation of international remittances contributed to preserve jobs and sustain economic activity in Brazil.

ABIACOM argues that, in the event that the government decides to reduce taxes, the measure should benefit all market players, especially those who produce, invest and generate jobs in the country. According to the association, the international trend has been precisely to close tax loopholes in low-value international remittances, and Brazil should not follow in the opposite direction.

For the entity, the debate should prioritize the construction of a more balanced business environment, with fair rules for all participants in electronic commerce and national retail.