Institution contests measure that zeroed import tax for shipments of up to US$50 and alleges damage to national industry
The CNI (National Confederation of Industry) took action on Monday (May 25, 2026) against the federal government’s MP (provisional measure) that zeroed the 20% rate on international purchases of up to US$50, known as the blouse tax. A to the minister.
The confederation requests the immediate suspension by the president (PT) on May 12th. The text reestablished the exemption for international remittances of small value. For the entity, the charge contributed to preserving jobs and reducing imports.
The provisional measure issued by Lula also revoked part of the law sanctioned in June 2024, which introduced a 20% charge on international purchases of up to US$50 made on foreign platforms, such as Shein, Shopee and AliExpress. At the time, the taxation was approved by Congress after pressure from representatives of national retail and industry.
With the exemption, the CNI states that the measure favors foreign platforms and harms national industry and small Brazilian companies.
According to a survey released by the entity in April, taxation on small-value international remittances in Brazil. The measure avoided R$4.5 billion in imports and kept approximately R$19.7 billion in circulation in the national economy.
MOTIVATIONS
In the action, the confederation argues that the provisional measure violates the constitutional principles of tax equality, free competition and protection of the internal market. According to the organization, the exemption creates a competitive advantage for foreign companies in relation to Brazilian companies.
The CNI also states that the government did not demonstrate urgency to issue the provisional measure, since the topic is under discussion in Congress. The MP is valid for up to 120 days and must be approved by parliamentarians to remain in force.
According to data from the Federal Revenue Service, the government raised R$5 billion from the tax on international orders in 2025. In 2024, the amount was R$2.88 billion. In the same period, the number of orders fell from 189.1 million to 165.7 million.
In a hearing in the Chamber of Deputies held in 2025, the confederation highlighted that 54% of imports of consumer goods carried out in the previous year were products worth up to US$50, the range reached by the measure.
On April 30, representatives from the industry, national retail and trade unions in the sector published a manifesto against the possibility of the government eliminating taxes on imported products worth up to US$50. The document is signed by 70 associations and entities. Read (PDF – 3 MB).
