President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, eliminating the import tax on international purchases up to $50 [2, 4].

The move targets a specific levy known as the "taxa das blusinhas," which had added costs to small-value imports. By removing this financial barrier, the government aims to reduce the cost of living for consumers, and stimulate overall consumption [5, 6].

The measure eliminates a 20% import tax rate [1] for goods that fall under the $50 threshold [4]. This policy change specifically addresses the cost of small-scale international shopping, which has become a point of contention for Brazilian consumers using global e-commerce platforms.

There is some disagreement among reports regarding when the exemption begins. Some sources said the measure took effect immediately on Tuesday, May 12 [3], while others said it enters into force on Wednesday, May 13, 2026 [4].

Government officials in Brasília signed the Medida Provisória to provide immediate relief to the public [3, 7]. The decision comes as the administration seeks to boost economic activity through increased purchasing power for the general population [5].

Because the measure is a provisional decree, it allows the government to implement the tax change quickly while the legislative process follows. The elimination of the 20% fee [1] is expected to make a wide range of low-cost international products more accessible to the Brazilian market.

“President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva signed a provisional measure on Tuesday, May 12, 2026, eliminating the import tax on international purchases up to $50.”

This policy shift represents a strategic effort by the Brazilian government to increase consumer spending power ahead of upcoming elections. By removing the 20% tax on low-value imports, the administration is prioritizing immediate cost reduction for the electorate over the collection of customs revenue from small-scale international trade.