Brazil's Minister of Institutional Relations, José Guimarães, said the government should abolish the import tax known as the "taxa das blusinhas" [1].
The proposal to remove the tax on low-value imports could signal a shift in how the administration balances domestic industry protection with consumer costs. If revoked, the move would alleviate the financial burden on citizens purchasing inexpensive items from international e-commerce platforms.
Speaking in Brasília on April 16, 2026 [1], Guimarães said he supports the removal of the tribute. "We should end the blusinhas tax," he said [2]. He said that if the administration decides to revoke the measure, he believes it would be a positive step [1].
The minister said the government is still discussing the matter internally. He suggested that the current tax has been poorly interpreted by the public—a perception that may be fueling the push for its removal [2].
While Guimarães has advocated for the change, the government has not yet issued a formal decree to eliminate the levy. The "blusinhas tax" refers to the import duties applied to small-value parcels, which have faced criticism for increasing the cost of living for low-income shoppers [3].
Guimarães said the revocation would be beneficial for the country. He said, "If [the government] decides to revoke, I think it's a good thing" [1]. The debate remains active within the administration as they weigh the impact on federal revenue against the political pressure to lower consumer prices [2].
“"We should end the blusinhas tax,"”
The push to eliminate the import tax on low-value goods reflects a tension between Brazil's desire to protect local retailers from foreign competition and the need to address inflation and consumer dissatisfaction. If the government follows Guimarães' suggestion, it may prioritize short-term popular support and consumer purchasing power over the tax revenue and protectionist policies currently favoring domestic manufacturers.
