ASUTIL is hosting the Second Meeting of Border Duty Free Shops in Latin America, La Frontera (24-24 November). Pictured is ASUTIL Secretary General José Luis Donagaray.

The technical area of Brazil’s federal revenue agency Receita Federal has approved a proposal to lift the allowance ceiling for Brazilians purchasing in their own shops from $300 to $500.

ASUTIL is awaiting news from the country’s Ministry of Economy, but it is expected that the approval will be granted in mid-December.

The important development was shared during an update today on the Brazil free shop regime at the virtual La Frontera Hoy second edition of the meeting of border duty free shops in Latin America.

Brazil’s land border duty free allowance for visitors travelling from other countries to the borders rose from $300 to $500, effective 1 January, following an earlier announcement from President Jair Bolsonaro that coincided with a lift in the duty free purchase ceiling at airports from $500 to $1,000.

Frederico Antunes, Deputy and President of the Parliamentary Front in Defense of the implementation of the Free Shop in the Twin Cities of the Border, reveals the development during day one of La Frontera Hoy.

However, a $300 allowance limit currently exists for Brazilians wishing to purchase in their own stores and as reported there have long been calls for this amount to be raised.

Work has been underway between stakeholders including ASUTIL and the Brazil authorities to ease the regulations, La Frontera Hoy delegates heard.

More to follow…