BRASILIA: Brazil’s Senate has launched a consultation on a proposal to exempt from import duties goods bought by individuals worth up to USD1,000.
Currently, people can enter the country with up to USD500 in goods purchased abroad without having to pay tax. The exemption limit for consignments is USD50.
The proposal argues that hiking the thresholds will benefit all social classes, as it will allow Brazilians to have access to cheaper products than those available in the domestic market.
The idea, which was proposed by a Brazilian citizen rather than a politician, has been submitted to the Commission on Human Rights and Participatory Legislation (HRC).
Under Brazilian law, citizens can propose new laws on the Senate’s website. Ideas that get at least 20,000 expressions of support from visitors to the site within 120 days become formal proposals that are voted on by the commission.