Although unpopular, the tax on low-value international purchases had positive effects for Brazil, according to a survey released on Wednesday (Apr. 22) by the National Confederation of Industry (CNI).

The business entity reported that the measure helped curb imports, preserve more than 100,000 jobs, and stimulate the Brazilian economy. Billions of reais in foreign products were not purchased, while the tax bolstered state revenues, the confederation stated.

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CNI calculated the effects of the Import Tax based on the average value of shipments in 2025, comparing the volume of imports it projected for the year with the amount actually recorded.

Key figures from the survey:

• BRL 4.5 billion in avoided imports;
• 135,800 jobs preserved in the country;
• BRL 19.7 billion circulating in the Brazilian economy;
• 10.9% drop in the number of international orders from 2024 to 2025;
• 23.4% decline in the number of shipments in the first half of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, before the tax took effect;
• Tax revenue of BRL 1.4 billion in 2024 and BRL 3.5 billion in 2025.

According to CNI, the tax has reduced unfair competition from imported products, particularly those from China, giving a boost to Brazilian industry.

The main objective of the tax, the confederation highlighted, is not to tax consumers but to protect the economy. “Making Brazilian industry competitive is essential to maintaining jobs and generating income,” said Marcio Guerra, CNI’s superintendent of economics.

How the tax operates

The measure establishes a 20 percent import tax on international orders of up to USD 50. In practice, the tax is collected at the time of purchase, facilitating enforcement and reducing fraud. The rule took effect in August 2024 as part of the Remessa Conforme program, created to regulate international e-commerce.

With the new rule, the volume of orders has declined. Shipments to Brazil fell from 179.1 million in 2024 to 159.6 million in 2025.