Camex (Chamber of Foreign Trade), part of the Ministry of Economy, granted an ex-tariff for glass used in the manufacture of photovoltaic modules. The decision was published in the DOU (Official Gazette of the Union) on Tuesday (20). According to the Gecex Resolution No. 217, exemption from import tax on these products with a series of specifications was approved, such as thicknesses of different sizes and iron content, for example.
“This was an old demand from the industry. It was forwarded by some associations at the request of manufacturers and has now ended up being approved”, said Wladimir Janousek, a specialist in solar panel technologies and production processes.
For him, it is important to highlight that this publication came within the scope of legislation from the Mercosur Common Market Council, allowing countries to adopt temporary reductions supported by shortages.
“I also emphasize that, in addition to being temporary, this resolution is established based on an import quota. In other words, there are two limiters: either the defined import quota of 70 thousand tons is exhausted – then the benefit ends, but can be renewed – or if it is not reached after 1 year of validity, it is terminated – and can also be extended ”, he explained.
Therefore, according to Janousek, the ex-tariff for glass is a fundamental advance for the national industry. “The government has now managed to raise awareness, and the expectation in the sector is that local products can absorb this tax reduction, which in the case of glass will be 12% less. May this, in some way, reflect an adjustment, a review of the price.”
What is ex-tariff?
The Ministry of Economy says that the ex-tariff regime aims to promote and attract investment in the country, since it exempts investments directed to productive enterprises. In addition, it deals with the temporary reduction of the tax rate and aims to facilitate the increase of investments in capital goods, IT and telecommunications goods that do not have equivalent national production.
According to the expert, the ex-tariff is a public policy instrument, used to improve productivity, allowing access to technologies that are not yet available and in use by Brazilian industry. “With the inclusion of an ex-tariff for a given product, its import tax is zeroed,” he concluded.
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