President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and the Brazilian federal government have eliminated the 20% [1] federal import tax on international purchases up to US$ 50 [2].

This policy change targets the high volume of low-value shipments entering the country, specifically impacting consumers who use global e-commerce platforms. By removing the federal levy, the government intends to reduce the final price of goods for millions of Brazilians while simplifying the existing tax regime [3].

The measure, colloquially known as the "taxa das blusinhas," took effect on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 [3]. It applies to imports made through the Remessa Conforme program, a government initiative designed to streamline the customs process, and affects purchases from sites such as Shein, Temu, and Shopee [4].

While the federal tax has been removed, the overall cost for consumers will not drop to zero. State-level ICMS taxes remain in place, meaning that while the federal burden is gone, state taxes will still be applied to these shipments [5].

There is some discrepancy regarding the current legal status of the measure. Some reports indicate the exemption is already in force via a provisional measure signed by the president [5]. Other reports suggest that while the exemption is active, it still requires formal approval from the Brazilian Congress to become permanent law [6].

Government officials said the move is intended to lower the cost of living for consumers who rely on these international platforms for affordable clothing and electronics [3].

“The removal of the 20% federal tax on low-value imports aims to lower costs for consumers.”

The elimination of the 'taxa das blusinhas' represents a shift toward easing the financial burden on low-income consumers who frequently use cross-border e-commerce. However, the retention of the state ICMS tax ensures that the government continues to collect some revenue from these transactions. The reliance on a provisional measure means the policy's long-term stability depends on legislative approval, leaving a window of potential reversal if Congress opposes the tax break.